Snipers provoked military into attacking protesters ahead of Olympics
NPR Dec 2, 08 3:17 PM CST
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Before there was Tiananmen Square, there was Tlatelolco Plaza. Just 10 days ahead of the 1968 Mexico City Games, army guns fired on a burgeoning movement of student protesters, setting off a government massacre—of anywhere from a handful to 3,000 students—that remains shrouded in mystery to this day. But 40 years later, reports NPR, official documents appear to shed some light on the bloodshed.
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Intelligence posts next, but harder to fill
Wall Street Journal Dec 1, 08 8:50 AM CST
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No surprises are expected as Barack Obama formally nominates his national security team today, leading with Hillary Clinton, Gen. James Jones, and Robert Gates. But the president-elect is having trouble with intelligence positions, the Wall Street Journal reports, as he looks for experienced hands not tainted by service in the Bush administration. Obama's pick for CIA head, a 25-year agency veteran, was dumped because of his role at the agency when controversial interrogation tactics were developed and implemented.
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OPINION
In aftermath, many ask how 10 men wreaked such havoc
New York Times Nov 29, 08 7:10 PM CST
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With Mumbai's bloody 3-day siege over, questions are arising about India's failure to anticipate and quickly repel the attack on its financial capital, the New York Times reports. A gang of only 10 terrorists caused widespread carnage, infiltrating three buildings, fighting off security forces, and fooling them into believing there were hostages. Poor communication and outdated equipment may explain India's inability to handle the terrorist threat.
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Military struggles to keep up with demand for substance-abuse counseling
USA Today Nov 22, 08 5:16 AM CST
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US soldiers are testing positive for drugs in record numbers even as the number of Army counselors shrinks, USA Today reports. This year 2.38% of troops tested positive during routine urine screens, up from 1.74% in 2004, and more than 7,000 soldiers were sent to counseling for dependency, up from 5,727 in 2003.
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Defense Secretary fulfill talk of bipartisan cabinet
Financial Times (UK) Nov 19, 08 12:07 PM CST
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Barack Obama and Robert Gates are negotiating policy issues with a view toward Gates remaining Defense secretary, the Financial Times reports, a move that would make the Bush appointee a key member of a bipartisan cabinet that resembles Abraham Lincoln's “team of rivals.” Gates, a former CIA chief, is respected for being tough, but in a less abrasive manner than predecessor Donald Rumsfeld.
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Ground troops testing laser weapons, tagged for missile-defense systems, too
Economist Nov 2, 08 2:16 PM CST
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Ray guns aren't just for Flash Gordon anymore, the Economist reports. The US military and defense contractors are experimenting with “directed energy” weapons systems on the battlefield and in labs, most of which help troops zap unexploded bombs and incoming fire. One model, the Zeus, is designed to more effectively and safely destroy explosives that menace troops in modern combat zones.
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National-security heavyweight's camp mum on surprise Meet the Press appearance
Politico Oct 17, 08 12:32 PM CDT
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Colin Powell could endorse Barack Obama when he appears on NBC’s Meet the Press on Sunday, Republican sources tell Politico. No one is exactly sure what Powell will say, but McCain advisers seem convinced that the retired general will throw his considerable national-security heft behind Democrat.
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Nearly 70% of career service members say he's their man in November
Military Times Oct 8, 08 10:45 AM CDT
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Career members of the military are nearly three times as likely to vote for John McCain for president in November as Barack Obama, reports the Military Times . In a survey of 4,300 subscribers of the Army Times, Navy Times, Marine Corps Times, and Air Force Times —mostly older and higher ranking service members—68% say they’ll vote Republican, and just 23% Dem.
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Chief says agency 'tickles' terrorist enemy to gauge reaction
Associated Press Sep 17, 08 5:30 PM CDT
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The CIA purposely uses missile strikes to "tickle" enemy groups, often by targeting a single person, to learn from their responses, agency chief Michael Hayden said today. Hayden also told a gathering of Air Force members the CIA has "picked up insights" from working alongside the military, the AP reports. The agency often uses military weaponry, like unmanned aircraft, in missions along the Pakistan-Afghanistan border.
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Joint Chiefs were pushed aside, new Woodward book says
Washington Post Sep 8, 08 3:14 PM CDT
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In the months leading up to the Iraq surge, President Bush faced a revolt by frustrated Joint Chiefs of Staff, the Washington Post ’s Bob Woodward writes in a new book, The War Within . Bush dumped the military leaders’ advice as Iraq spun out of control in fall of 2006, pushing a five-brigade surge on the hesitant generals while pulling rank.
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'Dynamic' approach distributes response burden
Christian Science Monitor Sep 8, 08 10:04 AM CDT
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With three big storms hitting the US within about a week, FEMA is attempting to stay a step ahead, planning emergency response strategies and deploying supplies. The agency's new "dynamic regrouping" plan represents a real-time collaboration between military, civilian, and volunteer personnel, the Christian Science Monitor reports. "The depth of resources nationally, it's not a deep bullpen there," says a Red Cross adviser.
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Nation hopes for US help in building modern military to face Russia threat
New York Times Sep 3, 08 5:25 AM CDT
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The dust has barely settled from the catastrophic clash with Russia but Georgia's leaders are already keen to start rebuilding the country's pulverized army, the New York Times reports. Ambitious plans are being made to remake the military bigger and better than before—with plenty of US help. But Western military experts say the Georgian army is lacking more than just equipment.
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