The Biden Administration recently announced that as long as ISIL is a potential threat in the northeast, combat forces would remain in the war-torn country.  Many feared that Biden might suddenly withdraw from Syria in the wake of the Afghanistan withdrawal. Former President Donald Trump considered such a move in 2019, when the U.S.-affiliated rebel group the Syrian Democratic Forces …

Female military veterans have breast cancer rates up to 40% higher than non-veterans, mostly because of toxic exposure, a new study claims. Many of these female veterans had no genetic markers and no symptoms. They had something else in common — proximity to burn pits. One recalled that the dogs she cared for began dying. “The first tour, it was …

Smoke billowed from the sprawling Mina al-Ahmadi oil refinery as the blaze inside caused multiple serious injuries. No one is sure what caused the fire. Eyewitnesses said they heard a large explosion at the refinery, which went online in 1949. Several videos posted to social media show black smoke pouring out of a large hole in the facility. Nevertheless, officials …

The ruling military junta reportedly courted private military contractors from the United States and South Africa before it asked the Wagner Group to address ongoing security concerns in the West African nation.   Speaking at the United Nations, Russian foreign minister Sergei Lavrov confirmed that Russian mercenaries were en route to the war-torn country. Malian Prime Minister Choguel Maiga said …

Kellogg Brown & Root, Halliburton, and other private military contractors earned about $5 trillion during the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq, according to a recent report.   The report’s author, William D. Hartung of the Center for International Policy, sharply criticized DoD policies in Southwest Asia. “If it were only the money, that would be outrageous enough,” he said. “But …

The British recently sent the aircraft carrier Queen Elizabeth, along with its support vessels, to the largest and southernmost landmass in the Chagos Archipelago.   The latest violent boundary dispute between India and China renewed the focus on Diego Garcia’s military significance and checkered past. Royal Navy Admiral Tony Radakin is a major proponent of increased military activity on the …

The Department of Homeland Security recently asked for bids in a project to renovate a migrant detention center in the Gitmo Naval Base.   DHS expects the 120-person facility to have “an estimated daily population of 20 people.” However, during “surge” periods, up to 400 detainees may be housed there. Generally, Haitian migrants intercepted en route to the United States …

There is no shortage of jobs for American private military contractors. Between 2012 and 2017, the government spent over $160 billion on PMCs. That is a much larger sum than the entire defense budget of most other nations. As outlined below, there are many different opportunities available, even for people with little or no combat experience.   The required level …

South Vietnam held on for about two years after most U.S. ground forces left. Afghanistan barely lasted two weeks. Although the United States largely trained and equipped Afghan security forces, these soldiers were no match for battle-hardened and determined Taliban fighters, who captured all the country’s major cities in a few days. Although the Taliban says it will not reimpose …

Protestors took to the streets in A’zaz, speaking out against the poor services and human rights violations which have become part of Turkish rule. “The local council in the city bears the largest part of the responsibility for the low-quality services, especially electricity, because it is not doing its job and is not pressuring the company to improve its performance,” …

Under pressure from advocates and lawmakers, the Veterans Administration fast-tracked some burn pit respiratory illness claims. The change applies to Iraq veterans who served after 1990 and Afghanistan and Syria veterans who served after 2001. The veteran must have been diagnosed with a listed condition within 10 years of returning home. “Through this process, I determined that the evidence provided …

25-year-old Sgt. Dionisio Garza went from twice-decorated war hero to a mass shooter because of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, his mother claimed in an interview. “I saw him go from 0 to 100 in probably three days,” Michelle Garza remarked. At first, Garza’s behavior was simply erratic. He broke into a Metro Houston auto parts store, where he stayed all …