GRAB A CUP AND READ THE MORNING REPORT FOR 8.30.14 >>>

Authorities in Connecticut on Friday were investigating a possible threat against President Obama.

The chief of Iran's Revolutionary Guard navy confirmed in remarks published Friday that a U.S. Coast Guard vessel fired on an Iranian fishing boat in the Persian Gulf this week but insisted the incident was not a "clash."

The U.S. does not anticipate following the United Kingdom in raising its terror alert level because of concerns over the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria.

The U.S. Air Force's top general said he wants to figure out the balance between the active, Guard and reserve components for the vast majority of his service's programs in time to drive fiscal 2016 decisions.

Massachusetts National Guard officials identified the pilot of an F-15C Eagle jet that crashed in Virginia as Air Force Lt. Col. Morris "Moose" Fontenot Jr.

Islamic State militants beheaded a Lebanese soldier who was one of 19 captured by hardline Syrian Islamists when they seized a Lebanese border town for few days this month.

U.S. Vs. ISIL: The costs have averaged $7.5 million per day and include money for airstrikes, surveillance and arms shipments.

Six strategies Obama could use to fight Islamic State.

As separatists seized a strategically located town in southeast Ukraine, President Vladimir V. Putin issued a congratulatory message to the insurgents.

European Union leaders are likely to threaten Russia with new economic sanctions over its action in Ukraine but officials said the bloc was not yet ready to order additional penalties. 

President Obama's trip to Europe early next week is designed to warn Russian President Vladimir Putin against "messing around" with the Baltic States.

The new commander of U.S. and coalition forces in Afghanistan, will likely not attend the NATO meeting in Britain next week.

Britain's Defence Ministry will boost its investment in laser research and is preparing to launch a competition that could lead to a technology demonstrator.

An Air Force Institute of Technology alumnus and retired Air Force officer was selected by NASA and the University of Hawaii as one of nine team members to participate in an upcoming simulated mission to Mars.

Nearly five years after earning a Bronze Star with 'V' and a Purple Heart for his actions in Afghanistan at the Battle of Kamdesh, former Army Sgt. Daniel Rodriguez will suit up today to begin his senior football season with the Clemson Tigers.

A former American sailor convicted during the Cold War of leading a family spy ring for the Soviet Union has died in a prison hospital in North Carolina.

The man convicted in the shooting rampage at Fort Hood in 2009 that left 13 dead is asking to become a "citizen" of the Islamic State in a letter to the militant group's leader.

Fatigues to Fabulous will kick off New York Fashion Week with a "Salute the Runway" fashion show.

The Navy built its own indoor ocean to test ships.

iPhone 6 rumor roundup.

10 great movies to stream this holiday weekend.

Believe it or not, 21 Jump Street's Phil Lord and Chris Miller are remaking The Greatest American Hero.

Terry Gilliam on 13 of the most difficult scenes he ever shot.

Five worthy new songs this week.

How Pabst brought a 136-year-old beer back from the dead.

When ads are so cool they make you want to do crazy things ...

LINK: Original photo by Cpl. Bryan Nygaard

Filed under: Morning Joe, Military, News To Us, Air Force, Army, Defense Department, Rocket Science, Screens, Music, Pop Culture,