Blog post

IAVA Daily Brief 3.5.10
Posted by Michael Houston on March 5 2010

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.

MUST READS

1) General sounds alarm on U.S. Army training

The Army's ability to train its forces is "increasingly at risk" because of the nation's protracted commitments to Iraq and Afghanistan, Gen. Martin Dempsey stated in a February 16th memo to Gen. George W. Casey.

2) Iraqi leader willing to ask some U.S. troops to stay

In a CNN interview Thursday, Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki left open the possibility of asking U.S. forces to stay in the country longer than planned, depending on the security situation, and the readiness of Iraqi troops.

3) GI Bill 2010: A Quick Update

IAVA Executive Director Paul Rieckhoff checks in from IAVA's west coast tour this week through California to give a quick update on where things stand this semester with the new GI Bill. Some of the improvements and upgrades IAVA is calling for this year include expanding benefits to those who served in the National Guard, in distance learning programs or attending vocational schools.

AFGHANISTAN

• According to a new Army report, a company-sized patrol pinned down by insurgents waited nearly two hours for help after their initial call - suffering heavy causalities before support arrived.
• During speeches at Kansas State University and Fort Leavenworth, Adm. Mike Mullen outlined a new U.S. approach to war, with a more restrained use of forces to safeguard civilian lives, replacing overwhelming firepower.
• Agha Jan Mohtasim, a leader of Afghanistan's Taliban, was arrested in Pakistan, U.S. and Pakistan officials reported Friday.
• The number of Afghan army recruits is overwhelming NATO's training staff on the ground, Lt. Gen. William Caldwell, the mission's top commander said earlier this week. 

IRAQ

• Polls opened Thursday for hundreds of thousands of Iraqis, including police and military who will be on duty Sunday, the main voting day in Iraq's second general election since the ouster of Saddam Hussein. Voters were met with three attacks this past week in an effort to mar the election. 
• U.S. officials said that despite the new elections, forming a new Iraqi government will be long, difficult and possibly violent.
• British Prime Minister Gordon Brown on Friday defended the decision to invade Iraq, testifying before an inquiry on the war that deposing Saddam Hussein was the right thing to do. 

MILITARY AFFAIRS

• A gunman opened fire at the subway entrance to the Pentagon complex Thursday evening, wounding two police officers before being shot and mortally wounded, officials said.
• In an interview on the PBS Newshour, IAVA Executive Director Paul Rieckhoff discusses the inaccuracies of the film 'The Hurt Locker,' describing what the films captures, and what it ultimately fails to provide viewers, and the military community.

INSIDE WASHINGTON

• The sudden suspension of MyCAA, a program designed to help military spouses enter a trade or profession that carries good employment opportunities regardless of where they move in the course of their service member's career, has sparked significant bipartisan congressional response intended to get the program back on track.
• In a potential reversal, White House advisers are said to be close to recommending that President Obama opt for military tribunals for self-professed Sept. 11 mastermind Khalid Sheik Mohammed and four of his alleged henchman. 

A wide-range of views, positions, and publications are represented in these articles. These views, positions and publications are not endorsed by nor do they necessarily represent the views of IAVA.

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