Blog post

IAVA Daily Brief 8.24.10
Posted by Isabel Black on August 24 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.

1) Benefits for military caretakers divides haves, have nots among vets
 
The military caretaker legislation that was signed into law in May aims to provide support for those who are caregivers for severely wounded veterans.  But the law, as it stands, only benefits those caregivers of post-9/11 veterans, leaving Vietnam and other earlier-era veterans and their caregivers without these benefits.
 
2) 'Theater of War' seeks to heal soldiers
 
To help heal the inescapable emotional wounds of combat, the U.S. Department of Defense conducts a program called "Theater of War," in which readings of ancient Greek warrior plays are performed for active duty servicemembers and their families.  The readings are designed to promote frank discussions about post-traumatic stress disorder and other psychological effects of war.
 
3) Security concerns make Afghan elections dangerous for politicians, voters alike
 
Across Afghanistan, especially in the south and east, increasingly brazen attacks by anti-government groups have cowed many candidates for the 249 lower house seats as well as voters.  Afghan election officials announced that 938 of the country's 6,835 polling centers will remain closed on election day because of security concerns, leaving 1.5 million of the country's 13 million registered voters unable to participate.
 
AFGHANISTAN

• The rules of engagement in Afghanistan have been under fire recently as soldiers there question when they are allowed to fire and when it makes sense according to the tactical directive.
• Afghan officials sought to shift the blame onto their Western critics in an escalating dispute over presidential meddling in the arrest of a top aide on corruption charges.

IRAQ

• The number of US troops in Iraq has fallen below 50,000 for the first time since the 2003 US-led invasion and ahead of the end-of-the-month deadline mandated by President Obama.

MILITARY AFFAIRS

• The military unveiled new and improved Army Combat Uniforms, which include additional styles and sizes for women, providing a better-fitting uniform for the 15% of the Army that are women.

INSIDE WASHINGTON

• Vice President Joe Biden delivered an optimistic assessment of the political situation in Iraq and Afghanistan at Veterans of Foreign Wars gathering.

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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