* Iraq asked the US to launch air strikes against jihadists, but the US Administration and prominent US lawmakers hinted that prime minister Maliki should first resign to make room for a more inclusive government. Maliki says he won’t quit. The Pentagon reportedly submitted to the President a plan to send special operations advisers in Iraq.
* Iraq was expected to provide a significant chunk of the newly available oil required by future world markets, but ISIS’ offensive is sending jitters through energy markets.
* The kidnapping of Turkish and Indian workers is making this crisis directly felt by their respective governments.
Ukraine
* Pro-Russian rebels seem unfazed by President Poroshenko’s ceasefire proposal. NATO says Russia is moving troops close to the border again.
USCG Programs
* The Government Accountability Office thinks the performance of US Coast Guard assets is improving but “the HC-144 patrol aircraft and Fast Response Cutter, did not meet all key requirements during operational testing before being approved for full-rate production.”
Another LockMart Acquisition
* Lockheed Martin acquired Deposition Sciences, a small manufacturer of film coatings used in a variety of industries that will joint LM’s Aeronautics division.
Eurosatory
* Defense Update has a photo report from the French tradeshow.
Iraq: What Next?
* Senator McCain [R-AZ, SASC] and retired US Army General Jack Keane were at the American Enterprise Institute to discuss the situation in Iraq, where McCain believes that US air power could be put to good use:
