The Senate on Thursday confirmed the nominations of Army Gen. Martin Dempsey and Adm. Sandy Winnefeld to serve a second two-year term as Joint Chiefs Chairman and vice chairman, respectively. “Both of these proven leaders are tireless advocates for our men and women in uniform and innovative thinkers who are helping to shape the military of the future,” said Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel in a statement following the Senate’s Aug. 1 confirmation votes. “I strongly value their counsel, as does President Obama. Their continued service and wise advice will be essential as we continue to draw down from the war in Afghanistan and confront other national security challenges,” said Hagel. Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) last month temporarily placed a hold on Dempsey’s vote until the general provided his assessment of US military options in Syria. (See also Reuters report and Dempsey Details Airpower Options in Syria.)
No sooner had the Defense Intelligence Agency issued its North Korean Military Power report, in which it predicted Pyongyang would resume ballistic missile tests, than North Korea did exactly that, lofting a submarine-launched ballistic missile Oct. 19. The test, in which an SLBM launched from the port of Sinpo into…