President as Grim Reaper
The White House defended President Obama’s direct involvement in the controversial drone program Tuesday.
“This president's first priority is the protection of the United States, protection of the citizens of this country, and he takes that responsibility enormously seriously,” said White House Press Secretary Jay Carney. “And that is why he has pursued the fight against al Qaeda in the very direct way that he has.”
New details in a New York Times story show that Obama is intimately involved in discussions over which suspected terrorists to target next.
CNN's Chris Lawrence reports.
Russian lab discovers sophisticated malware spy tool
A Russian lab has discovered a malware program so sophisticated that some are referring to it as ushering in a new era of cyber espionage. CNN's Suzanne Kelly explains the threat.
U.S. joins others in expelling top Syrian diplomats
The United States and seven other countries across the globe announced they were expelling Syrian diplomats Tuesday in a coordinated move reflecting the international outrage about a massacre in the town of Houla.
A U.N. official said it's "clear" that Syrian government forces were involved in the massacre, which left more than 100 people dead, nearly half of them children.
The State Department Sp0keswoman Victoria Nuland just released a statement about the expulsion: FULL POST
Official hints Israel capable of 'Flame'-type attack
By Guy Azriel reporting from Jerusalem
Israel's Vice Prime Minister suggested Tuesday that his country has the capabilities to develop malware capable of attacking sophisticated computer systems, but would not confirm whether Israel has any role in the newly revealed “Flame” malware that has been infecting computers in the region, with Iran seeming to be a main target.
(Watch the video above for a good explanation of the Flame threat)
Speaking to Israeli Army radio, Minister of Strategic Affairs Moshe Yaalon said “Israel is blessed to be a nation possessing superior technology. In that respect our achievements open up all sorts of opportunities for us."
“Whoever sees the Iranian threat as a serious threat, not just for Israel, but the entire western world led by the United States would be likely to make use all possible means, including these in order to hurt them," said Yaalon, a former Chief of Staff of the Israeli Defense Forces, when asked about Israel’s involvement in cyber warfare activity. FULL POST
US Navy: 'Hollow' force or 'the best in the world'?
By Larry Shaughnessy
One of the many issues likely to be batted around during this year's presidential election is the status of the U.S. Navy.
Several times on the campaign trail, Gov. Mitt Romney, the presumptive Republican nominee, has criticized the Obama administration's handling of the Navy.
"Do you realize our Navy is now smaller than any time since 1917?" Romney said during a campaign rally in South Carolina last January.
FULL POST
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