* Earlier this week the US GAO released its latest report on the F-35. The title says it all: Need for Affordable Strategy, Greater Attention to Risks, and Improved Cost Estimates.
* Meanwhile JSF PEO Lt. Gen. Christopher Bogdan says [AviationWeek] F-35C sea trials will proceed as scheduled in November, though he’s not sure yet that both aircraft to be sent aboard USS Nimitz will be able to conduct carrier launches and landings.
Europe
* According to Flight Global Germany and Italy are eyeing continued use of their aging Tornados until 2025 or even later.
* Latvia is concerned [WaPo] as Russia officials are making veiled threats on the grounds of alleged discrimination against ethic Russians in the Baltic state. Claiming to redress imaginary wrongs against Russian speakers was already the Russian playbook in Estonia back in 2007.
Mideast
* Senior EU officials say [The Guardian] that a major terrorist attack performed on European soil by returning ISIS fighters is “almost inevitable.”
* Al-Qaeda: “why can’t we be friends” [WaPo]. Both AQ [India Today] and ISIS [Straits Times] are recruiting across South and East Asia.
* Iraq President Fuad Masum is at the Council of Foreign Relations today to discuss ISIS and current events in his country. Video below: