News Analysis: June 11, 2009
Our combat veterans face a crisis returning from war. We owe them all the help they require to become well again. How many times must we hear of young veterans returning from war only to end their own lives? We must all be aware of their pain and do what we can to make sure our troops get the treatment necessary.
Evidence is mounting that burn pits expose our troops to toxins in Iraq and Afghanistan, according to members of Congress who plan to seek tighter regulations on the waste disposal sites used at military bases. The DoD maintains there are no long-term health consequences.
The next Army Secretary has a serious workload ahead: namely ensuring the health and welfare of our stressed, strained, over-deployed and under-treated troops.
Army Lt. Gen. Stanley McChystal wins Senate approval to be the next commander of US and allied forces in Afghanistan. He’ll have more leeway in conducting the war there. A new unit for Afghanistan, composed of 400 officers and senior enlisted personnel. Is there a way forward in Afghanistan? Are the next 18 months key?
What is the administration planning and considering for future military and security policy? The Center for a New American Security’s third annual conference, “Striking a Balance: A New American Security,” is being webcast live today. Click HERE to watch.
The grim economy and new social networking tools help keep the recruits coming into the National Guard, despite the onerous deployments they’ve endured the last few years, not to mention the trauma — literally traumatic brain injuries.