Omnivore 07/10/09

Centcom Responds to Post on Iraqi Deaths, R. Adm. Hal Pittman, At War/New York Times

Our Shifting Urban Landscape, James Danoff-Burg, Seed Magazine

Polymaths: 20 Living Examples, Ed Cumming, Intelligence Life

Text Messaging Shows Promise as a Survey Tool, Simmi Aujla, Chronicle of Higher Education

Taliban Prison Wall Art, Bill Graveland, Canadian Press

A General Within Bounds, Michael O’Hanlon, Washington Post

O’Hanlon Elaborates on McChrystal

I took a swipe at Michael O’Hanlon last Friday on the AfPak Channel, as did a few others elsewhere, for his cursory comments on communication between President Omaba and General Stanley McChrystal. O’Hanlon elaborates in today’s WaPo. Go read.

Omnivore 06/10/09

Surgical Strikes Shape Afghanistan Debate, NYT, At War/New York Times

Afghan War Units Begin Two New Efforts, Yochi Dreazen, Washington Post

Kabul Notes: A Journey Into Afghanistan, Bernard-Henri Levy, The New Republic

General Petraeus Has Prostate Cancer, Eric Schmitt, New York Times

Pakistan Index: Tracking Variables of Reconstruction & Security, Brookings Institute

New Rules To End Blogger “Payola”, Maggie Shiels, BBC News

Futurity Imperfect, Evan Lerner, Seed Magazine

NATO & Critical Infrastructure Protection – Tech Demo

I (and a lot of other people) helped define some of the margins of and requirements for this, once upon a time. 

NATO Sponsors Critical Infrastructure Protection Technology Demonstration

From 5-15 October, “BELCOAST 09” is marking the fifth anniversary of NATO’s Defence Against Terrorism Programme of Work (DAT PoW), demonstrating technologies that can improve the protection of military installations in operations. The event will take place at Koksijde Air Base and other locations along the Belgian coast.

More than 160 companies will join military units and technology experts to show, test and explain technologies for defending against different threat scenarios, including mortar, rocket and improvised explosive devices; chemical and biological attacks; and threats to land-based, maritime and aviation infrastructure. Technologies for intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance, target acquisition and non-lethal capabilities will also be shown.   

In response to the terrorist bombings in Madrid in March 2004, NATO launched the DAT PoW to develop cutting-edge technology or adapt existing technology to protect troops and civilians from terrorist attacks and other asymmetric threats. It comprises 10 technology initiatives, to include countering improvised explosive devices, defending against mortar attack and developing non-lethal capabilities. One initiative, critical infrastructure protection, led by Belgium, focuses on technologies that protect important civilian and military infrastructure.

Media is invited to attend on Wednesday, 14 October, at Koksijde Air Base for video presentations of the demonstrations and keynote speeches by Deputy Supreme Allied Command Europe, General Sir John McColl, and the Chairman of the NATO Research and Technology Board, Dr Robert S. Walker.

Media registration by 8 October is compulsory. The programme is available and registration can be done online on the website of the Belgian Ministry of Defence in French and in Dutch.

More information on this event can be found at: http://www.belcoast09.org/.