Flexible Forces Plus New Drone, Cyber, & Climate Policies Top 2013 Wish List

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http://defense.aol.com/2012/12/20/flexible-forces-plus-new-drone-cyber-and-climate-policies-top-20/



Flexible Forces Plus New Drone, Cyber, & Climate Policies Top 2013 Wish List
By Rachel Kleinfeld
Published: December 20, 2012

In a world of tumult, which national security problems will really matter in 2013?

The initial list stretches quite a way. Syria appears to be moving chemical weapons into deployable positions to use against its civilians. Egypt teeters on military-backed Islamist dictatorship that could be worse than its previous military-backed secular dictatorship. Al-Qaeda has entrenched an offshoot in Mali, in addition to its spread from Nigeria to Yemen. China is throwing its weight around and threatening its neighbors in the South China Sea. And North Korea launched a pre-inauguration missile to welcome President Obama into his second term with typical open arms.

Meanwhile, we need to add to the list problems we have created for ourselves. Republicans continue to hold our economy hostage to tax breaks for millionaires. They also killed our second chance at desperately needed cybersecurity legislation. And inaction on climate is not only leading to refugees and exacerbated radicalism abroad, it sank a good portion of New York City under water –- Al Gore's movie come to life.

Finally, let's not forget long-standing, less-reported problems, like the ongoing weakness of Europe's economic recovery, continued drug violence in Mexico that tends to lap against our southern border, or water wars and food riots that threaten throughout the developing world.