Today’s Top Stories

Rare NATO talks begin after attacks along Turkey’s border with SyriaNATO’s North Atlantic Council is meeting Tuesday at the request of Turkey, which called for special talks due to heightened concerns over its security. | CNN>>

Libya trial: Gaddafi son sentenced to death over war crimesLibyan court has sentenced the son of deposed leader Col Muammar Gaddafi receives death penalty. Saif al-Islam Gaddafi and eight others were also sentenced to death over war crimes linked to the 2011 revolution. | BBC>>

Elon Musk and Stephen Hawking Among Hundreds to Urge Ban on Military Robots
Elon Musk and Stephen Hawking, along with hundreds of artificial intelligence researchers and experts, are calling for a worldwide ban on so-called autonomous weapons, warning that they could set off a revolution in weaponry comparable to gunpowder and nuclear arms. | The New York Times>>

Afghanistan

War-torn landscape photographer Simon Norfolk traces the passage of time in Afghanistan’s central highlands. | Time>>

The Taliban have seized territory across three provinces in northern Afghanistan in recent days, as the government in Kabul has struggled to reinforce isolated outposts amid the insurgent offensive. | The New York Times>>

In an historic bid to become Afghanistan’s first female justice, Anisa Rasooli falls 9 votes short of achieving her dream. | The Washington Post>>

Iraq

Iraq Ambassador to U.S.: ‘We Cannot Coexist With ISIS’. | The Huffington Post>>

In the steamy Baghdad night, sweat poured down the faces of the Iraqi teens as they marched around a school courtyard, training for battle against ISIS. | CBS News>>

Three improvised explosive devices went off during the final of a local amateur cup blasts kill four, hospital sources say at least 10 people were also wounded in the attack. | Hurriyet Daily News >>

Military Affairs

The Chris Kyle Patriots Hospital supports active duty military and veterans who have experienced trauma or may need detoxification or rehabilitation for substance use. The specialized holistic treatment includes intensive multidisciplinary care that focuses on enhancing the mind, strengthening the body and empowering the spirit. | CNN Money>>

For decades the Marine Corps has tolerated, even encouraged, lower performance from the young women who enlist in its ranks, an insidious gender bias that begins with the way women are treated immediately after they sign up and continues through their training at boot camp. | The New York Times>>

The Defense Department has warned Congress that by the end of this week its health care system could run out of money to provide outside treatment for troops and dependents. | Stars and Stripes>>

#VetsRising

With flags waving and motorcycle engines roaring, dozens of veterans, including 15 amputees and severely wounded combat vets, rode into Las Vegas for a charity ride to show appreciation for those who served. | Las Vegas Review-Journal>>

Veterans who suffered sexual assault or other sexual abuse while in uniform would get help more easily from the Department of Veterans Affairs under a bill approved by the House. | Stars and Stripes>>

The remains of three-dozen U.S. Marines missing in action during World War II were brought back to U.S. territory on Sunday in the largest single recovery of U.S. MIAs. | Time Magazine>>

INSIDE WASHINGTON

Secretary of State John Kerry pitched the administration’s controversial nuclear deal with Iran before a skeptical House Foreign Affairs Committee on Tuesday, pushing back against the allegation it would ease crippling sanctions forever in exchange for temporary concessions on weapons development. | Boson Herald>>

Ambassador to the U.S. Ron Dermer called comments by Republican presidential candidate Mike Huckabee that likened the Iran nuclear deal to the Holocaust inappropriate. | The Daily Beast>>

The House passed legislation that calls on the VA to define military sexual assault as a service-connected cause of mental health disorders and to report to Congress every year on the number of claims. | The Hill>>