The New Art of War

¿ The Joint Functional Component Command for Network Warfare is led by the director of the National Security Agency at Fort Meade. This group manages the cooperative arrangements for defending national computer operations and for carrying out network warfare against adversaries. In an article on the command three years ago, Wired magazine reported: "It could best be described as the world's most formidable hacker posse. Ever."

¿ The Joint Information Operations Warfare Command, located at Lackland Air Force Base in Texas, integrates elements of electronic warfare, military deception, operations security and strategic communications to ensure that cyberspace is controlled and available to friendly forces for offensive and defensive uses.

When it came to space vulnerabilities, Chilton and Vickers both pushed for "prompt global strike" capability. That refers to an intercontinental ballistic missile with a conventional warhead or another type of delivery system that could reach anywhere in the world within an hour, programs that are being researched today.

The threat was described to the panel by Vickers, who said, "Our space capabilities face a wide range of threats such as radio frequency jamming, laser blinding and anti-satellite systems," including the "anti-satellite capability demonstrated by China last year."

Asked by Rep. Terry Everett (R-Ala.) what could be done if the Chinese continued to "dazzle" U.S. satellites with lasers, Vickers referred to that same type of prompt global strike concept.

"We believe we need that capability now," Vickers said.

National security and intelligence reporter Walter Pincus pores over the speeches, reports, transcripts and other documents that flood Washington and every week uncovers the fine print that rarely makes headlines -- but should. If you have any items that fit the bill, please send them tofineprint@washpost.com.