Headlines:

• Report: Pentagon Aims for Fivefold Cyber security Boost
• Egypt Army Chief Warns of 'State Collapse' Amid Crisis
• Syria Ready to Launch 'Surprise' Retaliation Attack against Jewish Entity
• French, British, US Warplanes and Troops Occupy Yemeni Capital
• America Eyes Pakistan's Oil and Gas Sectors

Details:

Report: Pentagon Aims for Fivefold Cyber Security Boost:

The U.S. Department of Defense has approved a fivefold expansion of its cyber security force over the coming years in a bid to increase its ability to defend critical computer networks, The Washington Post reported this week. Citing unnamed U.S. officials, the newspaper said the Defense Department's Cyber Command, which currently has a staff of about 900, will expand to about 4,900 troops and civilians. The decision to expand the Cyber Command was made by senior Pentagon officials late last year in recognition of a growing threat in cyberspace, the report said. Last November, Defense Secretary Leon Panetta conceded that U.S. cyber security needed more financial support and human capital. "We've got good people that are involved in it, but, very frankly, if we're going to stay on the cutting edge of what's happening with regards to the changes that are occurring, we have got to invest more in that area," he said during a speech in Washington hosted by the Center for a New American Security. The seriousness of the threat has been underscored by a string of sabotage attacks, including one in which a virus was used to wipe data from more than 30,000 computers at a Saudi Arabian state oil company last summer, "The Post" pointed out. According to the paper, the plan calls for the creation of three types of forces under the Cyber Command. The "national mission forces" will protect computer systems that handle electrical grids, power plants and other infrastructure deemed critical, the paper said. "Combat mission forces" will help commanders abroad plan and execute attacks or other offensive operations, The Post said. Meanwhile, the task of "cyber protection forces" will be to shield the Defense Department's own networks, the paper noted.

Egypt Army Chief Warns of 'State Collapse' Amid Crisis:

Egypt's Armed Forces Chief has warned the current political crisis "could lead to a collapse of the state." General Abdul Fattah al-Sisi, in comments posted on the military's Facebook page, said such a collapse could "threaten future generations." He made his statement following a large military deployment in three cities along the Suez Canal where a state of emergency has been declared. More than 50 people have died in days of protests and violence. In response, President Mohammed Morsi has cut short a planned European trip. On Monday night, thousands of people in Port Said, Ismailia and Suez - where some of the worst unrest has been - ignored a night-time curfew imposed by Mr. Morsi to take to the streets. Thousands were again on the streets of Port Said on Tuesday for the latest funerals of those killed, with mourners calling for the downfall of the president. There were also saw continuing sporadic clashes in the capital, Cairo. Gen Sisi's lengthy statement appears to be a veiled threat to protesters and opposition forces as well as an appeal for calm and an attempt to reassure Egyptians about the role of the military, the BBC's Yolande Knell in Cairo says.

Syria Ready to Launch 'Surprise' Retaliation Attack against Jewish Entity:

Syria has threatened to retaliate for a Jewish entity air strike and its ally Iran said there will be repercussions for the Jewish state over the attack. Syria declared it was ready to launch a "surprise" retaliation attack against the Jewish entity yesterday as Bashar al-Assad's allies Russia and Iran both condemned air strikes on a suspected weapons shipment near Damascus. As tensions mounted following the Jewish entity attacks on Tuesday and Wednesday, the Obama administration warned Syria not to transfer weapons to Hezbollah, thereby "further destabilising the region." Syrian Ambassador to Lebanon, Ali Abdul-Karim Ali, said Damascus "has the option and the capacity to surprise in retaliation" and that it was up to the relevant authorities to prepare the time and place for action. The foreign ministry in Damascus earlier lodged an official complaint with the United Nations over the attack - part of a wave of incursions that was launched to destroy an alleged weapons shipment to Hezbollah. The bombing campaign on military targets around Damascus and the Lebanese border came after weeks of growing concern within the Jewish entity that Syria's disintegration poses a direct threat to its security.

French, British, US Warplanes and Troops Occupy Yemeni Capital:

As the UN Security Council continues its Yemen visit after holding a closed meeting with Yemeni and GCC - Gulf Cooperation Council - officials in Sana'a, the capital, residents woke up under foreign military occupation. Keen to guarantee the safety of its state officials and ensure that no faction, group or individual will try to derail efforts being made in regards to moving Yemen transition of power forward, the United States of America, France and the United Kingdom took control between them of the sky and the ground. Residents told the "Yemen Post" on Sunday they saw French warplanes patrol the sky of the capital in a great show of strength, which they say they felt a bit "over the top" and slightly insulting to Yemen military potency. Retired General Ali Mohsen Khawlani stressed that Yemen should have been put in charge of all security details. "Our armed forces are perfectly capable and well-trained. What kind of message does it send to see foreign troops invade our capital? Are we moving toward a military occupation? Did foreign powers come to announce they will divide Yemen into zones of influence?"

America Eyes Pakistan's Oil and Gas Sectors:

US investors are showing keen interest in oil and gas exploration in Pakistan because of the incentives given in the recently announced Petroleum Policy but the government still needs to create awareness about the benefits to attract more investors from other parts of the world as well. This was stated by US Commercial Consular James Fluker while talking to LCCI President Farooq Iftikhar during his visit on Tuesday. James Fluker said that new discoveries of oil and gas could help Pakistan in overcoming its energy problem to some extent. He said there was a revolution in the US energy sector after the discovery of Shale gas. In fact the US has surplus gas that it could export. The US Commercial Consular said that a large part of US assistance to Pakistan is focused on energy as it is alive to the issue. He said that the US government is committed to help solve the economic challenges being faced by Pakistan. He said that it is a happy sign that the private sector in Pakistan is doing well despite a number of challenges.

Abu Hashim