Operations

Key vulnerabilities in the communication and computer networks among U.S. allies are hamstringing Pentagon plans to develop critical cyberwarfare capabilities with those partner nations. 

“It's not about the U.S. ceding responsibilities to the Afghans," Pentagon spokesman Capt. John Kirby told reporters Monday.

American intelligence agencies are ramping up intelligence and sabotage missions focused on Iran's nuclear program, just as Tehran prepares to renew talks with Western powers over the effort. 

The Chinese military has added sea-based unmanned aircraft to its rapidly growing arsenal, with the first of those aircraft already deployed. 

The People's Liberation Navy (PLN) has begun fielding unmanned surveillance aircraft aboard its fleet of warships, according to recent news reports. 

After being knocked offline for two weeks in an apparent cyberattack, one al Qaeada online forum was back up and running Wednesday.

The Shumkah al-Islam forum, one of two main al Qaeda sites, was back online, but another five sites associated with the terror group remain offline, according to The Washington Post.

The Shumkah site went live again Wednesday with a message that the cyberattack was “a failed, miserable campaign,” according to a translation of the message by security consultant Flashpoint Partners.

The Pentagon announced Wednesday that the military trial at Guantanamo Bay will resume for Khalid Sheikh Mohammed and four others over their alleged roles in the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks.

The defendants face the death penalty in the military commission trial if convicted, the Pentagon said.

Several extremist websites that are part of al Qaeda's propaganda efforts were knocked offline 12 days ago.

Washington and Kabul are close to a deal that would allow U.S. forces to continue night raids on suspected terror targets in Afghanistan, while giving Afghan leaders a lead role in those operations. 

As negotiations to re-open NATO supply lines in Pakistan continue amid strained U.S.-Pakistan relations, the Pentagon said Tuesday that things are “settling” between the two countries.

The November incident in which NATO troops killed 24 Pakistani soldiers blew up an already tense relationship between Islamabad and Washington, and Pakistan closed down supply routes and called for an end to U.S. drone attacks.

U.S. and Pakistani military officials have discussed re-opening the supply lines, and the Pakistani legislature is considering measures to re-assess the U.S.-Pakistan relationship.

One of the largest U.S. military prisons for suspected terrorists is now officially under Afghan control.