News Analysis: February 3, 2009
Afghanistan is not comparable to the Vietnam War, said Navy Adm. Mike Mullen, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. “Afghanistan is much more complex,” he said. For one thing, there are the complications of enlisting more European support and NATO may spurn President Obama’s call for more troops in the country. For another is the problem of Pakistan. And what of Iran? They’re going to space. On top of this is the global economic crisis that will squeeze spending and prompt more instability around the world for us to contend with. There’s always North Korea to worry about. Is al-Qaeda reeling?
Already our troops are strained — and that strain reaches all the way through our military. Guard and Reserves are now critical to the nation’s warfighting in a way never experienced before. And the heavy load of warfare is often, literally, a heavy load for our troops who are now buckling with muscle and bone injuries. After war, our part-time citizen-Soldiers who have been nearly full-time warriors for more than seven years have to find a job.
Another shower electrocution death for a US service member in Iraq, pointing to more potential troubles with shoddy contracting work. The 25-year-old victim’s family was told he died of natural causes. In other contractor news, a lawsuit against KBR will begin in May over charges the firm exposed 16 Indiana Guard members to toxic chemicals.
New ideas about reducing the backlog and wait times at the VA? Linda Bilmes, of Harvard University, has some of these ideas and may be in a position to implement them as head of the Veterans Benefits Administration. And Sen. John McCain is dropping his objections to President Obama’s pick for deputy defense secretary.
Welcome home Indiana Guard members — sorry about towing all of your cars. At least the GI Bill has new eligibility and benefits for Guard members. Sometimes, recreating war’s stress can help veterans cope. A wounded veteran rebuilds himself.