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 …

China plans to hold large-scale military exercises in the disputed South China Sea area around the same time as the U.S.-lead Quad Alliance struts its stuff around Guam. Few details were available about the Chinese exercises, except that they are large and will involve live ammunition. Former People’s Liberation Army Colonel Yue Gang said the PLA’s drill was designed to …

As the official U.S. mission winds down, the number of private military contractors in Afghanistan has dropped by more than 50% over the past three months. Many people are concerned about what these cuts mean to Afghanistan’s air force, which is its primary weapon against the Taliban. Former Presidents, including Geroge W. Bush and Barack Obama, have used contractors to …

The ongoing Cabo Delgado insurgency might have reached a new level as Rwandan soldiers faced off against Islamic militants near the Mozambique-Tanzania border. A string of recent successes has prompted more nations to join the fray. South African contractors have already engaged militants on several occasions, in support of Mozambique’s security forces. The Rwandan forces, however, are in country specifically …

One of Beijing’s top diplomats expressed “unwavering support” for Syrian strongman Bashar al-Assad and said China was prepared “to make joint efforts with the Syrian side to continue to consolidate the traditional friendship between the two countries.” Minister Wang Yi also stated that “China strongly supports Syria in safeguarding state sovereignty, territorial integrity and national dignity, and opposes any attempt …