Al-Qaeda leader U.S. targeted in Afghanistan kept a low profile but worried top spies; He lied about being a Marine sniper to get a lighter sentence. Then officials dug deeper.; Russian warships to bypass Spanish refueling port, as NATO pledges to bolster its defenses; Defense secretary suspends money collection from National Guard soldiers ordered to repay bonuses;   A military blog by Dan Lamothe   Al-Qaeda leader U.S. targeted in Afghanistan kept a low profile but worried top spies Farouq al-Qahtani was targeted Sunday in an airstrike in Konar province’s remote Helgal valley. By Wesley Morgan  •  Read more » ADVERTISEMENT   He lied about being a Marine sniper to get a lighter sentence. Then officials dug deeper. Shane Sperow's military service claims were “so fantastical, it sounded like there should be a movie made about the guy,” a prosecutor says. By Sarah Larimer  •  Read more »   Two senior al-Qaeda figures targeted in Afghanistan, Pentagon says The strikes took place in rugged Kunar province, along Afghanistan's eastern border with Pakistan, on Oct. 23, targeting Farouq al-Qatani and Bilal al-Utabi. By Missy Ryan  •  Read more »   Russian warships to bypass Spanish refueling port, as NATO pledges to bolster its defenses The move comes as NATO countries shore up a force to deter Russia. By Thomas Gibbons-Neff  •  Read more »   Defense secretary suspends money collection from National Guard soldiers ordered to repay bonuses The money collection had prompted an outcry among veterans and on Capitol Hill. By Thomas Gibbons-Neff and Dan Lamothe  •  Read more »   ADVERTISEMENT   Recommended for you   WorldViews Important stories from around the world, in your inbox daily. Sign Up »         Share Checkpoint:       Twitter      Facebook Trouble reading? Click here to view in your browser. You received this email because you signed up for Checkpoint or because it is included in your subscription. For additional free newsletters or to manage your newsletters, click here. We respect your privacy. If you believe that this email has been sent to you in error or you no longer wish to receive email from The Washington Post, click here. Contact us for help. ©2016 The Washington Post, 1301 K St NW, Washington DC 20071