The President’s pick to head the CIA, Air Force Gen. Michael Hayden probably has the job, despite some tough questions from Senators about the National Security Agency’s now hotly debated electronic surveillance program, initiated when Hayden was in charge. At a lengthy Senate Select Committee on Intelligence hearing May 18, Hayden comported himself well, answering questions about telephone records and the CIA’s ability to provide unvarnished—read that non-political—analysis. Hayden promised the agency, under his leadership, would “do our best to tell you what we know and why we think it and where we’re doubtful and where we don’t know.” (Read his written testimony here.)
Amid NATO’s continued push to ramp up air defenses in Eastern Europe, Secretary of the Air Force Frank Kendall swung by seven allied countries to boost relations last week, including those on Russia’s and Ukraine’s doorstep.