Blog post

IAVA Daily Brief 8.17.10
Posted by Blake Henderson on August 17 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 or subscribe at www.IAVA.org/DailyNewsBrief.

MUST READS

1) Wounds of Iraq war: US struggles with surge of returning veterans
 
With combat missions set to end in Iraq by August 31st, thousands of troops are poised to come home, joining those who have already returned after multiple tours of duty over the course of the seven-year war. If one gauge of a nation's humanity is how it treats its returning soldiers, then the US is about to face a significant test.
 
2) Bases race to prep for post-deployment influx
 
Military bases across the country are bracing for the return of tens of thousands of soldiers to their home bases and the resulting crush of people on roads, in barracks and other post facilities. Additionally, the bases will have to adequately prepare to identify and treat soldiers with combat stress.
 
3) Chaplains discuss suicide prevention, reaching out to servicemembers
 
Soldier suicide is one of the Army's top concerns as its troops continue to endure the stresses of multiple deployments in addition to the daily challenges of life. In Iraq, a group of about 35 chaplains and chaplain's assistants met for a three-day conference to discuss life affirmation, suicide prevention and methods to reach out to those at the greatest risk of committing suicide.
 
AFGHANISTAN

• In his column, Bob Herbert discusses the war in Afghanistan and the comparisons to the Vietnam war, as well as the administration's plans to begin a troop drawdown in 2011.
• The increasing number of fighters linked to the Haqqani network, a Pakistani terrorist group, who have been killed or captured in Afghanistan this month illustrates the network's growing role in the violence there.

IRAQ

• A suicide bomber blew himself up among hundreds of Army recruits who had gathered near a military headquarters in an attack officials said killed 60 and wounded 125.
• Negotiations between Iraq's two most powerful political blocs broke down, dashing hopes that a solution to a more than five-month impasse after national elections was on the horizon.

MILITARY AFFAIRS

• Defense Secretary Robert Gates said he would likely leave office in 2011 to avoid disrupting the next Presidential election cycle.
• Senator Jim Webb is leading a group of Virginia officials in protesting the proposed closure of the Joint Forces Command.

INSIDE WASHINGTON

• In what he says will be a new death benefit for survivors, Representative Jerry McNerney wants to return to the family of servicemembers killed in action any Social Security payroll deductions ever paid by the soldier.
• An anti-war protestor hit Senator Carl Levin, chair of the Senate Armed Services Committee, in the face with a pie during a meeting with his constituents in Northern Michigan.

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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