Topic: Iraq

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10 best books of May, according to Amazon

Amazon's editors picked these 10 books as the best for the month.
Briefing
Top 3 reasons why Al Qaeda is more dangerous than ever

On the one-year anniversary of Osama bin Laden’s death, defense analysts say that there are plenty of reasons to think that a resurgence of the perniciously resourceful Al Qaeda is not out of the question.
Who are the Taliban and what do they want? 5 key points

While Pakistani and Afghan insurgents often get labeled as the 'Taliban,' in reality there are several groups that often act independently and have distinct command structures, ideologies, and strategies.
Six reasons to keep America as No. 1 superpower

Many around the world say American decline would preserve global stability through a better balance of power. They’re wrong, says Steve Yetiv, a political science professor at Old Dominion University. It’s not that other countries or international institutions can’t play vital roles. They do. But they can't yet do what Washington does around the world, Yetiv says. Here he gives six examples.
International Women's Day: How it's celebrated around the globe

International Women's Day has served for more than a century as a day to honor the achievements of women globally. Here are some ways people are celebrating:

All Content

Sgt. Robert Bales: Defense team begins building case on PTSD

In the killing of 16 Afghan villagers, Staff Sgt. Robert Bales' defense team may build their case on post traumatic stress disorder. Though PTSD can be connected to aberrant and violent behavior, it's a hard case to make in court.
Response to 'proselytizing'? Al Qaeda group claims killing of US teacher in Yemen.

Joel Shrun, an American teaching English in Yemen, was killed by motorcycle-riding gunmen on Sunday.
Sgt. Robert Bales: Details emerge on soldier charged with killing Afghan villagers

Staff Sgt. Robert Bales joined the Army shortly after the 911 terrorist attacks, and he served three tours in Iraq before being sent to Afghanistan. Now he sits in the military prison at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas, charged with killing 16 Afghan villagers.
Did soldier said to have killed Afghan civilians come from 'most troubled base'?

US Army Staff Sgt. Robert Bales, suspected of killing 16 Afghan villagers, was from Joint Base Lewis-McChord in Washington State, reputedly the most troubled base in the US military.
Afghan shooting spree: soldier's revenge for wounded colleague?

Details about the soldier involved in the Afghan shooting spree are beginning to emerge. The day before his rampage, he witnessed the severe wounding of a fellow GI.
Syria crisis causes Iran-led 'axis of resistance' to fray

The Syria crisis is complicated by the regional cold war that has simmered for years between resistance powers like Iran, Syria, and Hezbollah, and Western allies in the region such as Saudi Arabia.
Terrorism & Security
NATO's Afghan strategy tested as Taliban talks derail, Karzai demands troop pullback

Details are emerging about US soldier who killed Afghan civilians in a rampage that spurred Afghan President Karzai to demand that US troops leave village outposts.  
Leon Panetta's big task in Afghanistan is trust-building. Impossible? (+video)

Defense Secretary Leon Panetta is in Afghanistan to try to repair relations after the Quran-burning incident and a mass shooting of civilians. The fact that the US has spirited away the accused shooter complicates his mission.
Obama help with Israeli preemptive strike on Iran would violate international, US law

For all the talk in Washington of solidarity with Israel on Iran, jumping to Israel’s aid in a preemptive strike would clearly violate international and US law. Obama must tell Israel that only self-defense against an armed attack would trigger American participation.
Terrorism & Security
Afghans angry that shooting suspect flown out of country (+video)

The US military says it is standard procedure to move the suspect, but many Afghans are demanding the US soldier accused of killing 16 villagers in Kandahar face justice in the country.
To strike Iran's nuclear facilities or not to strike? Why polls differ.

Two recent surveys seem to conflict over how Americans would prefer to handle the threat of a nuclear Iran.
Report: US asked Russia to deliver ultimatum to Iran

A leading Russian newspaper reported today that US Secretary of State Clinton requested that Russia tell Iran upcoming talks are the 'last chance' before it pursues a military option.
A soldier's deadly deed in Afghanistan, and a way to find peace

A Christian Science perspective.
Keep Calm
Hague court issues its first guilty verdict against Congo warlord Lubanga

The guilty verdict against Lubanga will draw new attention to pending cases against 20 other indictees, including Ugandan warlord Joseph Kony, the focus of Invisible Children's Kony2012 video campaign. 
Worlds Apart

Former US Ambassador to Austria Swanee Hunt writes hauntingly of the "grand intentions and missed opportunities" that prevented us from protecting Bosnians.
Six reasons to keep America as No. 1 superpower

Many around the world say American decline would preserve global stability through a better balance of power. They’re wrong, says Steve Yetiv, a political science professor at Old Dominion University. It’s not that other countries or international institutions can’t play vital roles. They do. But they can't yet do what Washington does around the world, Yetiv says. Here he gives six examples.
Taliban fire on Afghan president's brothers at shooting memorial service

Qayum and Shah Walid Karzai and other top Afghan officials in their delegation escaped in their cars unharmed from the Tuesday ambush in the country's south.
Lessons from the Afghanistan shooting

The Afghanistan shooting of 16 civilians by an American soldier shows the Pentagon must better screen, train, and track its people who fight in war zones.
Army sergeant suspected in Afghan massacre did 'multiple tours' in Iraq

The Army sergeant alleged to have killed 16 Afghanistan civilians on Sunday acted alone, Pentagon officials continue to say. They are treating it as an isolated incident, not as a sign of mounting frustration within US ranks about the Afghanistan war.
The Circle Bastiat
The Pentagon is a gas guzzler

The Pentagon spent $17.3 billion on oil in 2011, a 26 percent increase from 2010. This despite the Pentagon's public efforts to "go green."
Rampage in Afghanistan puts long-term US presence in peril (+video)

Yesterday's shooting spree by a US soldier has sharpened Afghan desires for foreign troops to be subject to Afghan courts. The issue is complicating a deal on keeping US bases here beyond 2014.
US soldier goes on killing spree: How events may unfold in Afghanistan

A US soldier, apparently acting alone after walking off a base, killed up to 17 Afghans including women and children on a rampage through at least three local homes in Kandahar Province.
Vox News
'Game Change': How accurate is the movie about Sarah Palin?

Words have been flying between supporters of Sarah Palin, who charge the ‘Game Change’ filmmakers with a smear job, and the producers, who insist they’re committed to accuracy.
Attack Iran or more sanctions? A third option: Israel and Iran forsake nukes

An attack on Iran and sanctions are both unworkable. A third option is to create a nuclear-free Middle East. Yes, it sounds far-fetched. But it actually meets the strategic needs of both Israel and Iran. One idea is to relocate Israel's nukes elsewhere, rather than destroy them.
Does Limbaugh belong on armed forces radio? Criticism mounts.

The Armed Forces Network broadcasts the 'Rush Limbaugh Show.' But Limbaugh's 'slut' comment only reinforces negative military stereotypes about women, leading some veterans to start a petition against the show.