News Analysis: June 23, 2009

Stopping suicides among our troops and veterans requires publicizing the problems in the ranks: stress, too little rest, too little psychological care, too few resources to help our troops and their families. Lightening the load of deployments could help too; in the meantime, helping military children better cope is a start. Those suffering PTSD need help, pronto. The worst wounds are often hidden inside. Further grim proof: yet another soldier commits suicide.

California works to offer additional help to vets returning from war with mental health problems.

More science, and mystery, in studying traumatic brain injuries.

President Obama extends survivor indemnity allowance.

Advance funding for the VA moves one step closer to reality.

The Pentagon will soon unveil a new direction in war planning strategy to accommodate the reality of irregular warfare in modern conflicts. Ongoing strategy in Afghanistan has, thus far, not worked — at a steep price. Afghanistan is a contest, in more ways than one. And like everywhere else our troops are deploying too nearly constantly, the National Guard are also desperately needed in Afghanistan.

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