The Iran deal addresses just one “point of friction” with Iran, and the US must continue to watch other “malign activities,” Maj. Gen. Steven Shepro, vice director for strategic plans and policy for the Joint Staff,? told a House panel on Sept. 10. “The Joint Staff will remain concerned with all of Iran’s destabilizing activities within the region, among which is its expanding ballistic missile inventory and technology,” Shepro said. During a one-hour public hearing, prior to moving to a classified session, Robert Scher, the assistant secretary of defense for strategy, plans, and capabilities, emphasized that the Iran deal “places no restrictions” on the Defense Department, its plans, programs, capabilities, “or what we can do with our friends and allies.”
Congress is getting closer to saving the E-7 Wedgetail from the Pentagon chopping block, with the House of Representatives preparing to pass the presumptive final version of the National Defense Authorization bill this week.
