According to a report last week in the Washington Post, the delay in stand up of the new US Cyber Command, planned for last fall, stems from Congressional worries over its mission and privacy issues. The Senate Armed Services Committee has yet to hold a confirmation hearing for the command’s projected leader, Lt. Gen. Keith Alexander. According to the Post, Pentagon officials have briefed Congressional staffers three times and want to brief lawmakers this month.
The U.S. began extensive air and artillery strikes against Islamic State group targets in Syria on Dec. 19 in retaliation for the killing of three Americans on Dec. 13 by a gunman affiliated with ISIS, U.S. officials said.

