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 …

The Syrian Civil War is much less intense than it was a few years ago, but there are serious questions as to whether the war-torn country can become a viable nation again. The crisis is particularly acute in the Shehba triangle in northwestern Syria. The United States, Russia, and Turkey have all battled Islamic militants in this area. The region …

If war comes between Iran and the United States, Iraq will almost certainly be a battleground. Since the State Department does not want its people caught in the crossfire, they might be leaving the country. In recent years, Iraq has tried to cultivate relationships with Iran and the United States, a policy which might soon backfire. As rocket and IED …

Sunday, September 20, 2020, was a red letter day in Afghanistan. That date marked a record-breaking 232 days without a U.S. combat-related death in Afghanistan, the longest stretch since 2016. The last American combat death was in February 2018, shortly before all sides agreed to a cease-fire while peace talks continued. However, the lack of combat deaths does not mean …

These seemingly diverse African nations are all dealing with Salafi-jihadi insurgencies, a new wrinkle in the ongoing Global War on Terror. Recent unrest in Mali has focused attention on the nation’s capital. Islamic militants, who now work in the shadows, often face little opposition. Some observers fear that these groups could expand into other parts of west Africa. If that …