Now that the General Services Administration has certified the former Vice-President as the winner of the November election, Biden is beginning to assemble his White House team. That team is expected to include DoD veteran Michèle Flournoy as Defense Secretary. This appointment, if it happens, would not be controversy-free. Some moderate Democrats see Flournoy as a bridge-builder who can erase …

Now that the coalition has shifted to an advisory capacity in the war-torn country, The Netherlands has agreed to participate in the country’s rebuilding. Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi has worked to limit forign influence in Iraq. Nevertheless, al-Kadhimi has been open to foreign advisory assistance and infrastructure support. The Dutch are also concerned about the security situation in Iraq. “ISIS …

Secretary of State-designate Anthony Blinken said that former President Obama “failed” in Syria from several different perspectives. “And it’s something that I will take with me for the rest of my days,” he added. “We failed to prevent a horrific loss of life. We failed to prevent massive displacement of people internally in Syria and, of course, externally as refugees,” …

Retired Navy admiral and former NATO commander James Stavridis said the President-elect should keep at least 10,000 troops in the war-torn country to help ensure lasting peace. In an interview, Adm. Stavridis said the military presence would probably continue “for the indefinite future.” He also pointed out that ongoing peace negotiations only involve the Taliban. Other groups, like al-Qeada and …

One of the most remote pieces of real estate in the world has become something of an international flashpoint over the years. In 2019, the UN affirmed that the Chagos Archipelago, which includes Diego Garcia, is Mauritian territory. So, Prime Minister Pravind Jugnauth recently announced that his offer of a 99-year lease was still on the table. The Mauritians want …

In 2004, President George W. Bush said American troops would leave the war-torn country when it could defend itself against foreign and domestic threats. Almost 20 years later, that goal is still unreached. Before 2014, Iraq was almost completely dependent on America for protection. Since the late 2010s, Iraq’s military ground component has improved substantially, though field commanders still have …

How many times have we heard that there are plans afoot to “bring the boys home by Christmas”? But with a peace deal seemingly within reach, this time, that might actually happen. It is uncertain if the President’s tweet was a policy statement, a wishful desire, an Executive Order, or something else. The United States has already agreed to withdraw …

Officials say that an October airstrike which killed seven terrorist leaders in northwestern Syria would significantly disrupt Al Qaeda’s activities in the war-torn country. Few details about the attack. U.S. Central Command spokesperson Maj. Beth Riordan said that the assault occurred near Idlib. Major Riordan did not identify the dead terrorists, but stated that their demise would hinder al Qaeda’s …

A long range bomber group is the latest addition to the combat lineup on this once-remote Pacific island. In April 2020, the Air Force began rotating bomber groups in and out of Guam. Each rotation is usually a bit longer than the previous one. This system gets more airmen and air crews acclimated to service on Guam. That experience could …

North Korea reversed itself and blamed South Korea’s “improper control of the citizen” for the shooting death of a Seoul fisheries official in disputed waters. According to the state news agency KCNA, Northern soldiers shot the official at least 10 times when his craft drifted into North Korea’s territorial waters. Initially, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un said he was …

Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) and Rep. Dr. Raul Ruiz (D-CA) recently introduced the Presumptive Benefits for War Fighters Exposed to Burn Pits and Other Toxins Act of 2020. If approved, the measure would greatly expand access to VA benefits and bolster the claims for private military contractors seeking such benefits. Under current law, veterans must establish an independent link between …

The proper combination of cutting-edge psychotherapy and pharmacological treatments significantly improves the prognosis for Post Traumatic Stress Disorder patients, according to some recent research. MDMA, the street drug Ecstasy, has shown some great potential. Ketamine, a recently-approved antidepressant, has shown promise as well. So have some new treatments, including transcranial magnetic stimulation. Significantly reducing PTSD symptoms has a significant impact …