SECRECY NEWS
from the FAS Project on Government Secrecy
Volume 2019, Issue No. 20
May 3, 2019

Secrecy News Blog: https://fas.org/blogs/secrecy/

DOD NETWORK OPERATIONS FACE A CONTESTED ENVIRONMENT

All US military operations depend on the Department of Defense information network (DODIN). But the network is under increasing stress both internally and from external threats.

"DODIN operations are arguably the most important and most complex type of operation the Army performs on a daily basis," according to a new Army doctrinal publication. "The network is the foundational capability for all other Army warfighting functions and capabilities."

But the foundational character of the DoD information network also makes it a target.

"Because communications are a key command and control enabler, U.S. military communications and information networks present high value targets for enemies and adversaries."

The new Army publication "establishes non-prescriptive ways to perform missions, functions, and tasks associated with Department of Defense information network operations in Army networks to enable and support the Army's mission at all echelons." See Techniques for Department of Defense Information Network Operations, ATP 6-02.71, April 30, 2019.

To a certain extent the Army vision of the DoD information network is aspirational and does not correspond to current reality.

The actual network infrastructure is "antiquated and is failing at high rates," Secretary of the Air Force Heather Wilson told the House Armed Services Committee last year in response to questions for the record in a newly published hearing volume.

RISING CHINA SELLS MORE WEAPONS

"In 2018, China's arms sales increased, continuing a trend that enabled China to become the world's fastest-growing arms supplier during the past 15 years," according to the 2019 China Military Power report published by the Department of Defense. "From 2013 through 2017, China was the world's fourth-largest arms supplier, completing more than $25 billion worth of arms sales."

"Arms transfers also are a component of China's foreign policy, used in conjunction with other types of military, economic aid, and development assistance to support broader foreign policy goals," the Pentagon report said. "These include securing access to natural resources and export markets, promoting political influence among host country elites, and building support in international forums."

Needless to say, the United States and other countries have long done the same thing, using arms exports as an instrument of foreign policy and political influence. Up to a point, however, US arms sales are regulated by laws that include human rights and other considerations. See U.S. Arms Sales and Human Rights: Legislative Basis and Frequently Asked Questions, CRS In Focus, May 2, 2019.

To assist soldiers in identifying Chinese weapons in the field, the US Army has produced a deck of "playing cards" featuring various weapons systems.

"The Worldwide Equipment Identification Playing Cards enable Soldiers to be able to readily identify enemy equipment and distinguish the equipment from friendly forces. Cards can be used at every level and across all services." See Worldwide Equipment Identification Cards: China Edition, US Army TRADOC, April 2019:

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Secrecy News is written by Steven Aftergood and published by the Federation of American Scientists.

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