DOD Committed to Ethical Use of Artificial Intelligence

June 15, 2023 | By Joseph Clark , DOD News |

DOD policy on AI is publicly available

The Department of Defense (DoD) of the United States has recognized the transformative potential of artificial intelligence (AI) in enhancing military capabilities and addressing emerging security challenges. With the aim of harnessing AI technologies to maintain technological superiority and strengthen national defense, the DoD has formulated a comprehensive policy framework. This policy emphasizes the responsible and ethical development, deployment, and use of AI systems by the military. It encompasses guidelines for AI research, acquisition, and implementation, focusing on ensuring transparency, accountability, and human control over AI-enabled systems. By promoting collaboration, innovation, and adherence to ethical standards, the DoD seeks to leverage AI effectively while upholding the principles of safety, reliability, and national security.--Editorial Desk

The Defense Department is prioritizing ethical considerations and collaboration in its approach to developing and fielding military applications of artificial intelligence, a top Pentagon technology official said today.

Michael C. Horowitz, the director of the emerging capabilities policy office in the office of the undersecretary of defense for policy, underscored the U.S.' commitment to leading the international conversation surrounding artificial intelligence during a panel discussion in Washington on setting rules and expectations for emerging technologies in national security.

A man in uniform points to a computer screen

Underpinning this commitment, Horowitz said, is a comprehensive set of policy decisions within DOD that governs the development and fielding of autonomous weapon systems, ethical artificial intelligence strategy, and the development of responsible artificial intelligence strategy and pathways.

U.S. leadership, in codifying these principles, is now driving responsible artificial intelligence policy formulation among international partners, he said.

A photo illustration depicting a soldier wearing virtual reality glasses with a chess set in the foreground

"If you look at NATO's ethical AI principles, for example, they're very similar to the Defense Department's ethical AI principles and that's not that's not an accident," Horowitz said. "It reflects in many ways the sort of common values and perspective on how we're thinking about... when we would want to use AI and how."

He said U.S. also led on the international stage by issuing its Political Declaration of Responsible Military use of Artificial Intelligence and Autonomy in February.

In this post a photo illustration depicting a soldier wearing virtual reality glasses with a chess set in the foreground.

"That's a set of strong norms that lay out principles of what responsible use looks like that we're now working to bring other countries on board to endorse since we think that bringing the international community together on this issue, that there is a lot of possibility for cooperation and we want to encourage the rest of the world to take these issues as seriously as the department has," Horowitz said. "And in looking at our allies and partners, we're really encouraged by that."

That commitment to the responsible development of artificial intelligence, and its transparency concerning the development of policy surrounding emerging technologies, is also how the U.S. has distinguished itself from its global competitors, he said.

He said all DOD policy surrounding artificial intelligence and emerging technology is publicly available.

A small drone is photographed while hovering

"That's in contrast to some of the competitors of the United States who are a lot less transparent in what their policies are concerning the development and use of artificial intelligence and autonomous systems, including autonomous weapons systems," Horowitz said. "And we think that there's a real distinction there."

At the same time, the U.S. has remained committed to being at the leading edge of emerging technologies, including artificial intelligence, Horowitz said.

He said the rapid advance of the technology has opened up a wide array of use cases for artificial intelligence beyond defense. The U.S. continues to be "an engine of innovation when it comes to AI."

"The Defense Department does lots and lots of different experimentation with emerging technologies," Horowitz said. "And we both want to do them in a safe and responsible way, but also want to do them in a way that can push forward the cutting edge and ensure the department has access to the emerging technologies that it needs to stay ahead."

They resemble German Shepherds

.....but are more compact    

The only breed the program raisesis the BelgianMalinois considred ideal for the military because of their high energy,strong sniffers, trainyability, agility, speed, drive, work ethic, loyalty and when needed, fiercenees. They resemble German Shepherds, but are more compact.

Courtesy: US Defense Department

ISIS no longer in control of physical territory

 OIR Follows in Predecessors' Footsteps in Defeating ISIS 

23rd July 2020//By Terri Moon Cronk DOD News

A member of the Iraq Federal Police with the 13th Brigade practices an assault movement at Besmaya Range Complex, Iraq, Aug. 6, 2018. A coalition created from a diverse international community will continue its support of the people of Iraq to enhance the capabilities of the nation to ensure security and stability.

The Combined Joint Task Force-Operation Inherent Resolve coalition has achieved great success in its mission to defeat the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria, the deputy commander of CTJF-OIR said in a live satellite feed from Baghdad.

In an update on the coalition's operations, Air Force Maj. Gen. Kenneth P. Ekman emphasized that the success in defeating ISIS is built on the triumphs of predecessors and Iraqi and Syria partners. 

With ISIS no longer in control of physical territory, Ekman said the organization struggles to conduct coordinated activities, because Iraqi security forces find and destroy their hideouts and weapons caches. ISF efforts are enabled by coalition support, including advising, intelligence planning and precision airstrikes, he added. 

Four members of the Iraq Federal Police conduct an exercise.

Members of the Iraq Federal Police assigned to the 13th Brigade, practice squad movement drills at Besmaya Range Complex, Iraq, Aug. 5, 2018. A coalition created from a diverse international community continues its support to the people of Iraq to enhance the capabilities of the nation to ensure security and stability.

''The ISF continues to prove their capabilities as a cohesive force, even in complex operations,'' he said, citing how the Iraqi Joint Operations Command recently wrapped up the fourth phase of the Heroes of Iraq Campaign. They showed outstanding cooperation among the Iraqi army, Federal Police intelligence service and anti-terrorism troops in clearing ISIS hideouts in remote areas. 

''Wherever [ISIS] seeks sanctuary, the ISF will find them,'' Ekman said.

Progress also is evident in coalition reposturing, he said. 

''We are getting smaller. In the early days of the coalition, a broad network of bases was essential. We were battling ISIS in Mosul, Anbar and Abu Kamal ,'' he said, noting that the bases were used to foster U.S. relationships with the ISF and stage training and tactical capabilities. 

Members of the Iraq Federal Police practice urban squad movements at Besmaya Range Complex, Iraq, Aug. 1, 2018. A coalition created from a diverse international community will continue its support to the people of Iraq to enhance the capabilities of the nation to ensure security and stability.

A member of the Iraq Federal Police kicks in a door as two other police men back him up during training in Iraq.

Now, more than six years later, the coalition has trained in excess of 250,000 ISF and has built strong relationships based on trust and mutual interests, the general said, adding, ''The ISF is doing things for itself — training forces and even developing training cadre that we used to do for them.'' 

On July 25, he added, ''we will take another step by handing over control of the base Besmaya to the Iraqis. Spain led the coalition effort in their training of 50,000 ISF since 2015. Their work is done there.''

So the coalition in Spain can depart — divesting equipment and facilities to include enhanced weapons ranges and mock-urban villages, valued at almost $5 million to the Iraqi government. 

Base transfers to include Besmaya reflect a shift to providing high-end advice and support at the operational command level. Because the Iraqis still need coalition help with planning, intelligence and surveillance capabilities and coalition airpower, OIR activated a military advisory group July 2 in Baghdad, Ekman said. 

The centralized location allows military advisors from 13 coalition nations to work alongside senior Iraqi officers to plan and execute operations against ISIS across all provinces in the country, he noted. 

A member of the Iraq Federal Police aims a gun.

''This approach has already proven its value in recent large-scale operations, to clear [ISIS] remnants,'' Ekman said. ''The ISF is already stronger than ISIS. Our high-level advising approach is moving our Iraqi partners to improve self-reliance. Together, we remain united and resolved to achieve the enduring defeat of [ISIS] and regional stability.''

After recently traveling to northeast Syria, the deputy commander highlighted the coalition's close partnership with the Syrian Democratic Forces and their success against ISIS. 

''They are capturing ISIS lieutenants, busting smuggling networks and denying [ISIS] territory, critical infrastructure and revenues. Overall, the SDF is a strong, capable force, and we are committed to partnership with them,'' Ekman said.

The general reminded reporters of the selfless service of U.S. troops. ''Yesterday, we lost one of our young warriors, who was conducting a security patrol in northeastern Syria,'' he said. ''On behalf of our commander, [Army] Lt. Gen. Pat White and the entire 82-member coalition, we send our condolences and prayers to the families of our fallen comrade.'' 

Holiday Message Sgt. Sarah Meadows

Writing a Holiday Greeting on a Box of Humanitarian Aid

Holiday Message
Air Force Staff Sgt. Sarah Meadows writes a holiday greeting on a box of humanitarian aid at Andersen Air Force Base, Guam, Dec. 10, 2019, before delivering it as part of Operation Christmas Drop. The annual operation provides donated goods to islanders throughout Micronesia.
Photo By: Air Force Senior Airman Ryan Brooks

Santa's Whereabouts

12/24/2013 09:11 PM CST                                                                                       Wed, Dec 25, 2013 at 8:57 AM  
First Lady Answers Children's Queries on This Issue 

American Forces Press Service WASHINGTON, Dec. 24, 2013 - First Lady Michelle Obama today took phone calls from boys and girls from across the country asking where Santa was located as part of the annual NORAD Tracks Santa program run by the North American Aerospace Defense Command at Peterson Air Force Base in Colorado. First Lady Michelle Obama reacts while talking on the phone to children across the country as part of the annual North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) Tracks Santa program. The First Lady, who's in Hawaii on vacation with her husband President Barack Obama and other family members, answered the phone calls from Kailua, Christmas Eve, Dec. 24, 2013. Official White House photo by Pete Souza  This is the First Lady's fourth year participating in this Christmas Eve tradition, according to a White House official. The First Lady is currently in Hawaii on vacation with her husband President Barack Obama and other family members. In her conversations with the children she employed a portable Santa-tracking radar screen courtesy of NORAD. Obama started taking the calls at around 11 a.m.local Hawaiian time and she spoke with about a dozen children for around 30 minutes. Santa can easily perform his global Christmas Eve journey, the First Lady explained to the children, because he and his gift-laden, reindeer-drawn flying sleigh can go anywhere in the world at the speed of light. "I'm looking on [NORAD'S] radar screen and right now, Santa is headed to the Republic of Rwanda -- that's in Africa, that's all the way in Africa," the First Lady told 9-year-old Wyatt from South Carolina. "Right now, he is delivering toys to some little girls and boys all the way in Africa. Can you believe that?" She asked Wyatt what he wanted for Christmas and he answered, "A Zoomer [robotic dog]." "A Zoomer? That sounds exciting, that sounds fun," the First Lady replied. Later, a young girl named Ella called to ask, "When is Santa coming to Kansas City?" "Santa is going to come to your house, Ella, when you are fast asleep -- that's how he works," the First Lady replied. "I think he is in Sudan now because there are some kids over there who are already tucked in bed with their eyes closed. So he is going to come to your house as soon as you're asleep." The NORAD Tracks Santa program began in 1955 after a phone call was made to the Continental Air Defense Command Operations Center in Colorado Springs, Colo. The call was from a local youngster who dialed a misprinted telephone number in a local newspaper advertisement. The commander on duty who answered the phone that night gave the youngster the information requested -- the whereabouts of Santa. This began the tradition of tracking Santa, a tradition that was carried on by NORAD when it was formed in 1958. The NORAD Tracks Santa program has grown immensely since first presented on the Internet in 1998. The website receives millions of unique visitors from hundreds of countries and territories around the world. In addition, a live Operations Center is occupied for 25 hours with more than 1,200 volunteers each year who receive hundreds of thousands of phone calls and emails from families around the world.

Contact Author Related Sites: NORAD Tracks Santa YouTube Facebook TwitterRelated Articles: Face of Defense: New York Guard Troops to Help Track Santa NORAD to Track Santa's Global Journey

Guard Soldiers Host British, Danish Wounded Warriors

10/28/2013 01:24 PM CDT                                                   Mon, Oct 28, 2013 at 11:22 PM By Army Staff Sgt. Michelle Gonzalez National Guard Bureau ARLINGTON, Va., Oct. 28, 2013 - Conversational buzz filled the atrium of the Army National Guard Readiness Center here Oct. 25 as those assigned to the readiness center anticipated the arrival of special guests. Command Sgt. Maj. Brunk W. Conley, the command sergeant major of the Army National Guard, shares stories with British soldiers during a wounded warrior event at the Army National Guard Readiness Center in Arlington, Va., Oct. 25, 2013. The visit was the first stop in a week-long visit for British and Danish wounded warriors. U.S. Army photo by Staff Sgt. Michelle Gonzalez  Army National Guard soldiers embraced the opportunity to foster international camaraderie by honoring the service of some 57 wounded warriors and their support teams from the United Kingdom and Denmark.After a poignant reception by the welcoming line, the U.S. soldiers took the opportunity to meet and exchange stories with their British and Danish comrades. "The welcome has been phenomenal," said British Cpl. Jay Watt, with the British army's 4th Battalion, The Parachute Regiment. "I was overwhelmed by the warm welcome," Watt said. "I've never seen that before." Staff Sgt. Laura Atkinson of the British army's Corps of Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers, echoed that sentiment. "It's been overwhelming and quite humbling," she said. "We don't get this sort of support over in the U.K., not only from the public but from other corps and services." The event was a way to say thank you. "I'm excited for you to be here," Army Lt. Gen. William E. Ingram Jr., the director of the Army National Guard, said in his opening remarks. "Hosting this group today provides an opportunity to thank you for your service and the sacrifices that you've made to the cause of freedom around the world." And that sacrifice was shown both on and off the battlefield, Ingram said. "You've shown valor on the battlefield," he said, "but just as importantly, each of you has shown incredible courage and determination throughout the course of your rehabilitation." Throughout the day, guests received background briefings on the National Guard's history, followed by sessions broken out by specialty that allowed for an exchange in cultural ideas that cultivated ongoing relationships. "We recognize that we are partners and that we need each other," said Command Sgt. Maj. Brunk W. Conley, command sergeant major of the Army National Guard. "If we maintain our relationships, the next time we call on each other and need each other's help, we'll be there standing side by side, ready to do whatever the mission calls for." Guests ended the visit with sharing a barbeque-themed lunch with National Guard Bureau leaders. For these wounded warriors and their support teams, the reception at the readiness center marked the first stop of a week-long trip that includes participating in yesterday's 38th Marine Corps Marathon, a tour of Arlington National Cemetery, a trip to Capitol Hill and a visit to the Pentagon. "I'm looking forward to all of these," Watt said.

Biographies: Army Lt. Gen. William E. Ingram Jr. Army Command Sgt. Maj. Brunk W. ConleyRelated Sites: Army National Guard National Guard Bureau

Tunisian Defense Minister at Pentagon

Hagel, Carter Discuss Cooperation American Forces Press Service WASHINGTON, May 29, 2013 - Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel and Deputy Defense Secretary Ash Carter discussed areas of cooperation with Tunisian Defense Minister Rachid Sabbagh during a Pentagon meeting yesterday, Pentagon Press Secretary George Little said. In a statement, Little noted that the meeting was part of the 27th annual meeting of the United States and Tunisia Joint Military Commission. "Secretary Hagel welcomed Minister Sabbagh to Washington and emphasized his commitment to the U.S.-Tunisian defense relationship," he said. "The secretary said he was pleased with the continued military-to-military cooperation between the countries and emphasized the need for future cooperation in light of shared interests and security challenges in the region." Carter expressed gratitude for the continued support Tunisia has provided to the U.S. Embassy in Tunis in the aftermath of a Sept. 14, 2012, attack and for the continued cooperation between both countries on a wide range of mutual security issues, the press secretary added.

Biographies: Chuck Hagel Ash Carter Related Sites: State Department Fact Sheet on Tunisia

Hagel: United States Committed to Israel's Security

04/21/2013 07:00 AM CDT                                          Sun, Apr 21, 2013 at 5:00 PM  Chuck Hagel's first stop during his inaugural trip By Cheryl Pellerin American Forces Press Service ABOARD A MILITARY AIRCRAFT, April 21, 2013 - Israel is Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel's first stop during his inaugural trip to the Middle East this week, a visit he said will let the people of Israel know the United States is committed to their security. The 6-day trip will take Hagel to Israel, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, Egypt and the United Arab Emirates to discuss common threats and interests in the region, and to finalize agreements that will boost a range of military capabilities for Israel, Saudi Arabia and the UAE. "I'm going to Israel first because it is a nation that has had a very special relationship with the United States," Hagel said on his way to that nation during a briefing with reporters traveling with him. "It is a nation today in a very dangerous, combustible region of the world, that in many ways finds itself isolated," he said, adding, "The other countries I'll be visiting are also allies of the United States, and the common threats that face [them and] Israel ... should be seen in a regional context." Each nation has its own set of challenges, the secretary said, but overall the challenges are regional and include terrorism and the threat of nonstate actors who would bring down governments and impact societies. "Those common threats certainly should build a set of common interests, with these countries working together," Hagel said, "and that's part of what I will be talking about as I visit each [nation].' During a presidential trip in March to Israel and Jordan, Barack Obama delivered the same message, the secretary said, adding that during a visit to Turkey this weekend, Secretary of State John Kerry "will be talking about some of the same issues in a different kind of way, but essentially with the same focus of common interests." As he spoke with reporters, Hagel extended his thoughts and prayers to victims of the Boston Marathon bombing and acknowledging the tireless work of law enforcement agencies in capturing one of the men suspected in the act of terrorism. "I say this because we are on our way to a very troubled region ... but it reminds us that [no] region of the world is ... safe from these terrible acts," the secretary observed, adding, "If nothing else, it reminds us that all 7 billion of us are global citizens and many of us are confronted by the same kinds of threats and insecurities." Among the region's most long-term threats is Iran, Hagel said. "The Iranians must be prevented from developing the capacity to build a nuclear weapon and deliver it," he added. "The United States' policy has been very clear on this and everyone knows it." Iran is also a state sponsor of terrorism, the secretary said, "[and] that in itself is a threat not just to the region but to our interests in the region and around the world. When you further expand that threat to the possibility of acquiring nuclear weapons," he added, the dimensions of the threat become pretty clear. Hagel said he thinks Israel and the United States "see the threat of Iran exactly the same, as do many other countries," not just those in the Middle East, although the United States seeks more time for diplomacy and sanctions to work to stop Iran from pursuing nuclear capabilities. "If you stop just for a moment and look at the U.N. sanctions, the international sanctions on Iran, I don't know of an international regime of sanctions that have been more effective and more unified and tougher than what's being applied to Iran," the secretary said. The sanctions are hurting Iran significantly, he added, but if they don't work, "... I've said, the president's said, all the leaders of the last couple of administrations have said, that the military option is one option that must remain on the table ... but the military option I think most of us feel should be the last option." In response to a question about whether Israel could decide to strike out alone against Iran's nuclear aspirations, Hagel replied that Israel is a sovereign nation and every sovereign nation has the right to defend itself. "It is clear that Iran presents a threat in its nuclear program," the secretary said, "and Israel will make the decisions that Israel must make to protect itself and defend itself." Certainly Israel has every right and responsibility to make their assessments, Hagel added, "but we're working very closely and will continue to work very closely with them."

Biographies: Chuck Hagel Related Articles: Hagel's First Middle East Trip to Seal Historic Arms Deal

Face of Defense:

Marine Gains Perspective From Loss of Parents

By Marine Corps Cpl. Elizabeth Gleason Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego SAN DIEGO, Feb. 25, 2013 - Since Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Ryan Nicolai was a boy, he felt a calling to serve his country as a United States Marine. With perspective he gained from the loss of his parents, Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Ryan Nicolai graduated with honors from recruit training at Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego. U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Elizabeth Gleason  But before he could follow his dream, he knew his duty was to take care of his parents. In the years before he left for recruit training, he gained the life experience that would propel him through the hard times yet to come.In 2011, Nicolai lost his father, a retired Marine, to amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, also known as Lou Gehrig's Disease. Months before the loss of his father, his mother was diagnosed with cancer. Shortly after what he thought to be a turning point in his mother's illness, Nicolai decided to enlist in the Marine Corps and follow in his father's footsteps. Nicolai joined the Delayed Entry Program, which allows recruits to enlist in the military and specify a future reporting date for entry. As his mother's condition worsened, Nicolai postponed his ship date until he was no longer able to. He shipped out to recruit training Nov. 26, and joined Platoon 2151, Company G, 2nd Recruit Training Battalion here. Three weeks after his arrival, drill instructors escorted Nicolai to the company office. "They told me that the Red Cross called, and my mom had died," he said. "Losing my dad was the only thing that helped prepare me a little bit for losing my mom." Nicolai's mother died the day before initial drill, an evaluation that tests recruits on their drill knowledge and skills, but he stayed and completed it before flying home to be with his family, said Marine Corps Gunnery Sgt. Enrique Lopez, his senior drill instructor. Soon, Nicolai was on an airplane, headed back to the depot to finish his training. "Coming to recruit training the first time was hard, but it was harder coming back the second time," said Nicolai, a 22-year-old Medina, Ohio native. "When I got back, I was losing focus, and I was always frustrated. I didn't want to get up anymore. I wasn't the same." With the guidance of his drill instructors, Nicolai said, he realized that although he was struggling, he had to push through and continue. Through the hardship, he kept the position as guide that he had earned early on in recruit training. "I'm pretty sure he still thinks about it, but he doesn't let it get in his way of being guide," Lopez said. "He motivates the other recruits, because they saw him stay strong through what he was going through. He set the example for them." Through his loss, Nicolai said, he gained a new perspective on life that helped him finish recruit training. "I was sitting at medical and had a realization that I defined myself by what I gave up for my parents," he added. "Taking care of my parents is who I was -- it's what I did. When my mom died, that part of my life was over. "I didn't know what I was going to do," he continued. "I was at recruit training trying to become a Marine, but I hadn't made it what defined me. All of a sudden, I knew where I wanted to be and what I wanted to do, I want to lead and take care of Marines." Through it all, Nicolai's drive, knowledge, spirit and perseverance not only earned him the title Marine, but also led him to graduate as the company honor man, the recruit who demonstrated the highest level of leadership throughout recruit training. Nicolai's motivation and knowledge of the Marine Corps and life showed throughout training and set the example for all recruits, Lopez said. "I am who I am today because of my parents," Nicolai said. "If it wasn't for my parents who were loving, strict and iron-willed, I wouldn't be where I am now."

Related Sites: Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego

Face of Defense:

02/22/2013 11:52 AM CST           Fri, Feb 22, 2013 at 11:32 PM

Sergeant Continues Harmonious Tradition

By Air Force Airman 1st Class Jacob Eckhardt
375th Air Mobility Wing

SCOTT AIR FORCE BASE, Ill., Feb. 22, 2013 - Nearly a quarter century after he accepted his father's invitation to join him in his barbershop quartet, Air Force Staff Sgt. Steven Martin continues to uphold the family tradition that began with his grandfather.

Air Force Staff Sgt. Steven Martin, far right, sings with the "Sounds of Harmony" barbershop quartet, Feb. 14, 2013, near St. Louis. Courtesy photo

Martin was 10 years old when his father asked him to join the group. "It's a family thing," he said. "I wouldn't be singing if it wasn't for my father."

Barbershop music is sung in four-part harmony with no instrumental accompaniment. Martin sang with his father for 10 years, even while he attended community college. After two years of college, he said, he decided to join the Air Force.

After arriving here in 2002, Martin joined a local group called the "Sounds of Harmony." The group has 30 to 35 active members who range in age from 25 to 75, and its musical repertoire includes a variety of songs from the 1920s, 1930s, 1950s and 1960s.

"My dad used to be stationed here, and he sang with a guy in the chorus, so he called the guy and said, 'Hey, my son's going to be stationed there. Could you show him all the choruses around?'" Martin said.

To satisfy his dream of singing competitively, Martin said, he sang with the "Ambassadors of Harmony" from St. Charles, Mo., in 2004.

"I got to compete in an international competition and won a gold medal," he said. "My father was there when I won. It made the moment more special to me."

Even though his group sings older songs, Martin said, he enjoys a variety of music.

"It's interesting, because I have the barbershop stuff, which is an older style, but then I listen to a lot of more current bands, like Motorhead," he said.

Martin said he keeps singing purely for the passion for it.

"It's all about dedication and a love for singing," he said. "If you come into this loving to sing, then you really don't need anything else."

Dr Samanta on hegemonistic aspirations

Sun, Feb 17, 2013 at 10:36 PM
US imperialism involved directly and indirectly
To
The President,
IDBD

(People round the world must rise up to build powerful organized well-coordinated anti-imperialist movement to stop the murderous run of world imperialism led by US imperialism)

Dear Sir,
As you know, we are passing through a time when in the absence of mighty socialist camp led by the USSR, the imperialists-capitalists headed by US imperialists, unable to come out of the insoluble crisis they are ridden with, are on a rampage, pursuing their hegemonistic aspirations, overlordism and brigandage with impunity. Alongside military invasion and illegal occupation of others’ territories, they are now conducting their loot and plunder through neo-colonial route of exporting finance capital and ruling either by installing a puppet government or by forcing the governments of the weaker nations to be pliant with and subjugated to their dictates . They are also causing economic blockade or resorting to escalated violence to circumscribe the weaker nations. For more than six decades now, US imperialism in particular has been directly and indirectly involved in all types of illegal regime changes employing assassinations, bombings, sabotage, terrorism, electoral fraud and such other black means. Whenever the US imperialists can no longer use and abuse a peripheral country, they first attempt to employ open (or white) measures (diplomatic, political, economic, military, etc.) to force a necessary change in the national political leadership of the target state. However, when they fail to attain this objective using “white” or overt actions then, they do not hesitate to initiate, conduct and pursue “black reconnaissance” actions against its perceived and identified enemy targets, or threats to its global strategic interests. Black reconnaissance actions are primarily hidden in the dark and kept from the public, secret and clandestine in nature. They are almost always illegal and violate accepted international principles and norms. Venezuela, Bolivia, Ecuador, Honduras, Haiti, have all borne the brunt with variance in degree. Somalia has been victim of the US imperialism-designed “nation building process” and ‘‘kind of humanitarian mission”. The NATO air raid in Kosovo, undertaken without the authorization of the Security Council and largely by using US forces to save the victims of so called ‘ethnic cleansing’ by President Slobodan Milosevic was soon  proved  to  be  a  step  towards fragmenting the Balkan states and deepening  imperialist  strangulation. 
For last three decades, the US imperialists along with their allies like Zionist Israel and British imperialismhave targeted West Asia obviously with a view to having total control of the rich oil fields. USA and its imperialist allies invaded and occupied Iraq on a completely trumped-up charge of possession of weapons of mass destruction. After the occupation of Iraq, USA has tried to keep its stranglehold on the country by installing a puppet regime on the one hand and by instigating ethnic strifes and violent conflicts between religious communities on the other. On the dark pages of human history which record the worst instances of naked aggression of big powers over smaller nations, Afghanistan has been a recent hapless inclusion. The war-monger US imperialists, the chieftain of the world capitalist- imperialist forces, have pounced upon this poor country with such venom and cruelty and have brought about such murderous devastation of human life and property, that have shocked and worried the peace –loving people of the entire world, not to speak of their inflicting unfathomable sufferings upon the Afghan people themselves.Having established control over Iraq and Afghanistan, USA is now turning its attention to other countries in the Middle East and North Africa. Central to US strategy in Middle East is unqualified support to Zionist Israel and to set it up as a bulwark against the surging tide of nationalism and anti-imperialism in the Arab countries; side by side, the US is lending support to the autocratic, tyrannical and despotic rulers in the Arab countries who perpetrate the most ruthless repression on the people, but protect the US interests.For a long time, US imperialists have been using Israel in subduing the most legitimate and just demand of homeland of the Palestine people. In Libya and Syria they are fomenting troubles through agent provocateurs. They are setting up their agents to destabilize the governments through violent armed actions under the cloak of ‘fighting for democracy’.  In the name of providing humanitarian aid to the people under attack from Muammar Gaddafi’s government in Libya, and giving logistic assistance to the forces fighting Gaddafi they, under NATO banner, US imperialists launched a full-scale air-war on Libya and savagely assassinated Gaddafi with the help of so called National Transitional Council (NTC), an organization propped up and backed by the agents of reaction with the blessings of US imperialism and its associates. Alongside a direct armed assault and creating ‘fifth columnists’ inside Libya, the US imperialists also pressed into action the International Criminal Court (ICC) which is increasingly being used as a tool by the Pentagon and Western imperialist powers in their bid to establish direct control over the  huge natural resources of Africa and West Asia.After having demolished Libya, the US imperialists and their allies have now chosen Syria. The present turmoil of Syria was perpetrated and monitored by none other than the US imperialists, towing their allies behind them. It is revealed in the media that just like Iraq and Libya, $6 million was handed out to Syrian groups aligned with US imperialism by the Bush administration after 2006 with a view to ensuring fall of the incumbent Syrian government. Lebanon is also on the radar of the US imperialists. Just the other day, Zionist Israel bombed the territories of Syria. So is Iran who along with socialist North Korea and Cuba has been included by the US rulers in their “axis of evils”. It is reported in The New York Times that US is carrying out secret military and air strikes in Yemen. Sudan, the oil-rich mineral-rich East African country is now a prime target of the US imperialists. 
This is how the imperialist web now extends over the entire globe. How could the imperialist powers particularly the US imperialists be so unbridled in their pursuit of international gangsterism and hegemonism? The answer lies in the qualitative change in the international correlation of forces following sad dismantling of mighty socialist camp due to revisionist conspiracy aided and abetted by capitalist-imperialist powers. So long the socialist camp existed, it, notwithstanding certain limitations and shortcomings, worked as a bulwark of anti-imperialism and peace. Had the bipolar world existed, the US imperialists and their allies would not have the nerve to undertake such dastardly activities with alacrity, unleash a reign of terror round the globe and openly threat the countries or political personalities not seeing eye to eye with them of dire consequences. Cowardly acts like summarily executing political opponents openly and boastfully would not have been that easy and go unchallenged. One would have observed that since collapse of the USSR and Eastern European socialist states in 1989-1991, US imperialists have launched five wars of invasion — in Iraq twice, in Yugoslavia in 1999, in Afghanistan in 2001, and now in Libya.It is pertinent to mention that Indian capitalism has also assumed imperialist character, given rise to a financial oligarchy by merger of industrial capital with banking capital and is exporting finance capital abroad to exploit cheap labour and raw material. Thus, the Indian monopolists have become junior partners of world imperialism and in order to fulfil their aspiration to become a formidable power in central and south Asia, they are increasing tilting towards the US camp, entering into nuclear treaty with them, undertaking joint military exercises and backing US design to target Iran, North Korea and other regimes opposed to US imperialism.
But the freedom-loving people of the world cannot remain a mute spectator to this overlordism, brigandage and gangsterism of the world imperialist powers headed by US imperialism nor should they be duped by the incessant imperialist propaganda. The imperialist sharks will be unbridled in their tyranny if there is no organized people’s resistance against all their felonious acts. Just as they did in Libya, the US imperialists and their allies will sneak into every country under this or that pretext, implement their nefarious designs, pit one section of the people against another fomenting divisiveness centring on religion, ethnicity or such other count to buttress their heinous agenda, overpower countries not falling in line with them by unleashing military attack and plotting killing of political opponents. One after another country would fall to such imperialist machination spelling doom to mankind.When the US imperialists and their associates are merrily indulging in all kinds of criminal acts and trying to cover them with panoply of cooked up alibis and charade of ‘restoring democracy’, the obvious question people should ask is who are they to determine what kind of rule would prevail in any other country? It is the exclusive preserve of the people of a country to decide what nature of governance they would like to have. Even if rulers of a country perpetrate genocide, it is upto the people there to develop powerful democratic movement or if the situation so warrants, a strong resistance movement to dissuade or dislodge the incumbent repressive regime. Democratic minded people of the world can also develop strong international public opinion against such crimes and extend moral support to such movement so as to create pressure on the culprit regime for stopping the ghastly activities. There are international diplomatic codes, existence of international bodies like International Court of Justice or even UNO, notwithstanding considerable dilution in their roles and their sickening obedience to the wishes of the US imperialists and their allies, to look after such matters. What is the propriety of the US imperialists and their cohorts to arrogate to themselves the power of functioning as international gendarme and nakedly meddle into the internal affairs of any country and that too by moving armed troops? If such be the case, what would be the fate of the lofty concepts of freedom, sovereignty, territorial integrity and independent state then? Is it to be assumed then that all these concepts are slated to vanish into thin air because the US imperialists have now emerged as a superlord by dint of their brute military might and hence ordained to write a new doctrine of democracy which is tantamount to meek unquestioned surrender to their sermons and fiats? If any ruler of any country does anything wrong, runs an autocratic regime, it is up to the people of that country to decide how he should be dealt with, what punishment should be meted out to him. History will judge his actions. Same is the case with Libya. Wherefrom do the US imperialists and their cohorts who in their own countries are brutally suppressing democratic movements, muffling voice of dissent and practising fascist dictatorship under the garb of parliamentary democracy, flouting and disobeying all democratic norms, codes and practices, derive the authority to militarily intervene in Libya or Iraq and engineer a regime change by murdering Gaddafi and Saddam? 
We are to keep in mind that what these imperialist despots fear most is the united conscious people’s movement. People must act and act decisively. True, in the situation obtaining, people apparently seem to be having no weapon to halt the murderous run of the imperialist sharks, to thwart the sinister imperialist machination of “humanitarian intervention with daggers drawn” or “trigger-happy export of democracy”. But that weapon has to be developed in right earnest, the invincible weapon of asserting of people’s power in right form. Of late, there have been spontaneous upheavals of people against pro-imperialist regimes in Egypt and Tunisia. Undeterred by the bullets and brutality of the autocratic regime and defying the long-continuing repressions that they have dreaded so far, lakhs of oppressed Egyptians from all sections of the society including women congregated at the Tahrir Square of Cairo and other parts of the country in the last week of January, 2011 to demand an end to thirty long years of President Hosni Mubarak’s most oppressive rule, fully backed, geared and protected by the army, and restoration of democracy. This spontaneous militant people’s protest which spread like wildfire across the country and virtually assumed the character of a mass uprising was greeted throughout the world as “Arab spring’. Such people’s protest agitations ought to surge forth in other countries of West Asia and Africa where dictatorial rules are in operation, the surging people’s protests have not crystallized in that manner. Most importantly, in order to lead all these protest agitations to their logical culmination, it is essential that the toiling people overcome all hurdles and hassles to close their ranks and develop well-organized powerful movements along the right track, build their own instruments of struggle right from the grassroots level rising above all differences and divisions and give birth through struggle to appropriate revolutionary leadership to spur them on to accomplish the goal. Simultaneously, a mighty militant global people’s movement needs to be developed against imperialism, particularly US imperialism by coordinating the anti-imperialist movements in the different countries and involving all anti-imperialist forces. Any attack on any country must be considered by the people of fellow countries as an attack on all of them by the US imperialists.  Hence, it should be incumbent on the anti-war peace-loving democratic minded patriotic people of all countries to rise up against any such attack, resist and repel with all might.  In other words, it would just not be an expression of solidarity but beyond that--unleashing action spurned by a sense of oneness.  The enemy would know that if it targets one particular country, the people of the entire region would retaliate and strike back.  If such co-ordination and fraternity among the fighting people of Latin America could be developed, it would not only give fillip to the democratic movements in each country but would also enfeeble the enemy to a great extent. And it is also of immense importance to understand that unless the various anti-imperialist people’s struggles grow and develop under correct revolutionary leadership, they will not be led to their logical culmination and might either be aborted midway or end in a half-baked and truncated way and the imperialist conspirators, sly and wicked to the bone, would cunningly exploit the accumulated grievances of the people in those lands for implementing their ‘humanitarian mission” of “planting democracy” through imbedded “agents” shored up as “pro-democracy” fighters. This alone can resist the marauding acts of imperialism, and save the world from this scourge of imperialist terror and oppression. We call upon all anti-imperialist peace-loving people to come forward and shoulder the task of releasing the desired people’s movement to thwart imperialist prowl with due expediency. 

With struggling greetings
Dr. Asok Samanta
Vice-President, Medical Service Centre
Member of All India Anti-Imperialist Forum
14th Feb. 2013

Dr.Asok Samanta on illegal regime changes

Devided we fall                           Comrade poet Lal Singh Dil

A letter by Dr. Asok Samanta  
                                                                        Nationwide strike on 2nd day at Ludhiana
Remembering Professor Zahoor-ul-Akhlaq

In all illegal regime changes....                       Bank Unions hold a massive rally

                                            

 The Communist Manifesto                          Countrywide strike on 2nd day at Ludhiana

Communist Song l Che'Guevara                                 Comrade Poet Sant Ram Udasi

We all should join her....without further delay

INTUC on all India Genral Strike 20,21 Feb 2013

The longest-running U.S. military exercise

02/11/2013 09:35 AM CST            Mon, Feb 11, 2013 at 9:10 PM
Exercise Cobra Gold 2013 Kicks Off in Thailand
By Donna Miles
American Forces Press ServiceWASHINGTON, Feb. 11, 2013 - The commander of U.S. Pacific Command kicked off the longest-running U.S. military exercise in the Pacific in Thailand today, calling the 13,000 multinational participants guardians of future peace and prosperity.

Navy Adm. Samuel J. Locklear III marked the opening of the 32st iteration of Cobra Gold hosted by Thailand and the United States since 1980.

Cobra Gold began as a bilateral U.S.-Thai exercise, but expanded more than a decade ago to include other regional partners to advance their common goals and security commitments in the Asia-Pacific region, officials said.

Cobra Gold 2013, which runs through Feb. 21, brings together the militaries of United States, Thailand and five other Asian countries: Japan, South Korea, Indonesia, Malaysia and Singapore. Twenty additional nations have sent observers, including, for the first time, Burma.

"Whether you are a participant or an observer, or whether you have been here for 32 years or this is your first year, your being here demonstrates your country's resolve to peace and stability in this region and in the world," Locklear said at the opening ceremonies. "It is critical to building our multinational coordination, our interoperability with all of our partners in the region and to allow us to collectively respond to crises and protect the peace and prosperity of all our people."

This year's exercise will be demanding, as it prepares participants "for a broad spectrum of challenges we are going to face together," the admiral said. The ambitious training schedule includes a staff exercise, senior leader engagements and "humanitarian and civic projects we will do together, field training we will do together, [and] live-fire events we will do together," he said.

Highlights will include an amphibious assault demonstration that includes attack jets, helicopters, landing craft and small boats; small-boat and helicopter raids; a multilateral noncombatant evacuation operation; a combined arms live-fire exercise; and jungle warfare and chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear training.

All are designed, Locklear said, to "replicate the dynamic environment we find ourselves in today and [expect] in the future." He challenged the participants to take advantage of the training opportunities at Cobra Gold to build the bonds and capabilities that ensure they will be prepared.

"Working together, we will meet the challenges and forge a brighter future for the region and the world," he said.

Marines with 3rd Marine Expeditionary Force's Marine Wing Support Squadron 172, Marine Aircraft Group 36, arrived in Thailand last week to partner with Royal Thai Marines to build a schoolhouse at Ban Nam Chiao Elementary School in Lam Ngob district. Another civic project planned during the exercise is construction of a one-story multipurpose building for the Baan Hua Wang Krang School in Thailand's Muang district.
Biographies:
Navy Adm. Samuel J. Locklear III

Related Sites:
U.S. Pacific Command
Special Report: U.S. Pacific Command

Dempsey:

01/31/2013 05:34 PM CST                                                   Fri, Feb 1, 2013 at 5:13 AM      
Coast Guard Mission 'Constant'
By Claudette Roulo
American Forces Press ServiceNEW LONDON, Conn., Jan. 31, 2013 - The Coast Guard has a constant mission, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff told cadets at the Coast Guard Academy today.

"The military -- and I include you in that joint force -- we are the preeminent leadership experience in the world," Army Gen. Martin E. Dempsey said during an all-hands assembly of cadets.

That leadership experience means being a military professional and accounting for both yourself and your institution, he said. "It's not just about you anymore. ... You have to continue your own development, both because you should, but also because of what it does for the profession."

This includes developing and taking pride in unique skills and techniques, the chairman said. "Nobody else can be the Coast Guard," he said. "We can't outsource it."

The military has become more complex since he was a lieutenant, Dempsey said. The services have restructured in response to threats that were once the sole domain of nation states but are now in the hands of decentralized organizations, the chairman said. And now, more responsibility is placed on young leaders than ever before, he added.

"We have to be a network in order to defeat a network," Dempsey said.

Leadership is the most solemn duty of all, the chairman said. "Leadership is why we get up in the morning."

Professional creeds and values can't be abstract for those in leadership positions, he said. "You've got understand what it means to be committed, to serve selflessly, to be courageous, to have integrity, to live up to your creed here," the general said. "... and you've got to develop a bond of trust like in no other occupation in the world."
Leadership is a combination of character and competence, Dempsey said. "You can be the most competent man or woman, but you're not a leader unless you have character."

"You can't develop trust absent character," he continued. Competence is important, he said, but "if your subordinates don't want to be you when they grow up, then you're not a leader." And trust is what allows the military to function, the chairman said.

"You don't get on an icebreaker and head out to the arctic to bang away at 15 or 20 feet of ice unless you trust that, first of all, the captain of the ship knows what he's doing and secondly, that everybody on that team knows what they're doing," he said. "You can sleep when it's your turn to sleep because somebody else has the watch."

Dempsey told the cadets that the world in which they will soon be working is one where change will occur faster than they expect and "it will be more complex ... it'll be unpredictable, and it'll be more dangerous."

This will require leaders to have a firm understanding of national interests, Dempsey said. In its position at the nexus between law enforcement and the military, the Coast Guard plays an integral role in defending those interests, he added.

In response to cadet questions following his speech, the chairman spoke about the budget crisis, the use of unmanned aerial vehicles and the effects of the recent end to the combat exclusion rule.

The budget crisis isn't a new situation, Dempsey said. "It's the worst it's been, but it's not new." Budget crises have followed previous wars, he said.

Where the current crisis differs, he said, is not in its magnitude, but in the amount of time the Defense Department has to deal with it.

"I'm not one that says don't you dare think about taking another dollar from the defense budget," Dempsey said. Refusing all cuts or walling off certain projects won't help the department contribute to the nation's economic well-being, he added.

The department needs budget certainty, time and flexibility from Congress, the chairman said.

"We can't do this every year," he said. "We do embrace change. We don't do real well with uncertainty, and we have enormous uncertainty right now."

If cuts are to be made, he said, the department needs time to absorb them and the flexibility to apply them in a balanced way. "Every time they deny us the ability to touch a piece of the budget, we can't keep it in balance and what generally pays the price then is readiness," he said. "I can't let readiness erode."

Dempsey told cadets the military has to be attuned to how it employs violence, particularly with unmanned aerial vehicles. UAVs have become more precise than they were initially, he added, and rely on multiple layers of intelligence to ensure that civilian casualties are minimized. "I think, as you migrate into the force and have access to these capabilities, you should think about how we employ violence," he said. " ... For what intention are you applying violence? Have you exhausted other means? Are there other means?"

The standards are clear for the application of violence, he said, whether you're talking about a bayonet or a UAV. The real question, the chairman added, is whether the use of UAVs is overcoming the ideology behind movements that seek to harm the U.S.

Turning to the role of women, he said, "The 1994 exclusion of women in combat had become embarrassing." This was because it ignored the reality of women's military service, he added.

"It was an anachronism," Dempsey continued. "It was an emotional anachronism." The rule served to discourage an examination of standards for military occupations across the board, he said. Now, the chairman added, the question isn't whether a woman should serve in the formerly closed occupations, but "why shouldn't they?"

He noted that not all men can, or even want to, qualify to serve in combat specialties. "I don't wear a Ranger tab," he said. "I'm not an infantryman, I'm an armor officer. I chose to ride to work," he joked.

The end of the combat exclusion rule means that he has access to the deepest talent pool available, Dempsey said. Only one in four men of military age in the U.S. qualify for military service, he said, and that population isn't becoming healthier or more educated. From his perspective, he said, the best reason to open combat specialties to women is that "we're going to need them ... I want to have as much talent available as I can possibly have." 
Biographies:
Army Gen. Martin E. Dempsey