Blog Post

Daily News Brief 05.10.12
Posted by Jacob Worrell on May 10 2012

Here are some of today's top stories and happenings at IAVA.  Prefer to receive real-time updates about major stories and legislation that IAVA is tracking? Follow us on Twitter @IAVAPressRoom and click here to get the News Brief delivered to your inbox every morning.

MUST READS

1) Hollywood studios, networks, guilds, agencies align for new veterans initiative, ‘Got Your 6’

The entertainment industry has aligned with two dozen service organizations to support new veterans of Iraq and Afghanistan. The 'Got Your 6' campaign aims to ease the transition home for new veterans with public service announcements and employment and education outreach. An estimated one million veterans are expected to leave the service in the next five years. Watch the ‘Got Your 6’ PSA.

2) Parents Of P.O.W. Reveal U.S. Talks On Taliban Swap

The parents of a captive U.S. soldier have broken their year-long silence. Five high-value Taliban insurgents are being offered in exchange for Sgt. Bowe Bergdahl, his parents say, in secret negotiations between the U.S. and the Taliban.

3) Vets: Help (May Be) on the Way

Recent revelations that the VA has underperformed have threatened Shinseki’s legacy, writes Nate Rawlings in TIME. After ten years of war and multiple deployments, new veterans need help with unemployment, homelessness and mental health issues. It’s time for Gen. Shinseki to step up and deliver. 

AFGHANISTAN

• The U.S. Army is using creative ways to reduce fuel consumption in Afghanistan as part of an effort to reduce dependence on foreign oil.
• Hopes dim for a diplomatic resolution in Afghanistan. The United States and the Taliban have not directly negotiated since January, writes Washington Post.

IRAQ

• Turkey says it will not extradite the Vice President of Iraq, who has been accused of engineering death squads and is wanted by Interpol.

MILITARY AFFAIRS

• Defense Secretary Panetta has asked the Senate to ratify the UN convention on the law of the sea.
• With precise strikes and minimum collateral damage, snipers are a highly valued component of the counter-insurgency strategy, writes USA TODAY.

NEW GREATEST GENERATION

• The director of the 'Got Your 6' campaign writes in Huffington Post about how the effort will help bridge the military-civilian divide.
• Goldman Sachs is recruiting military veterans for a special “Veterans Internship Program.”

INSIDE WASHINGTON

• Senator Webb has introduced legislation that would require congressional approval before the president used military force in certain situations.
• The House has given a stamp of approval to a bill would deploy a missile defense system on the East Coast.
• Lawmakers have voted to prohibit the Pentagon from using funds to close bases on U.S. soil.

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