The six-year Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) project to improve access to clean water and food security in parts of Iraq will cost an estimated $39 million. “The Iraqi government, represented by the Ministry of Environment, has today achieved an important accomplishment by obtaining funding from the Green Climate Fund to implement SRVALI project in coordination with FAO,” stressed Environmental …
The long-running Syrian Civil War refuses to end as Turkish warplanes struck Kurdish strongpoints in Syria in retaliation for an attack on a state-affiliated defense company. The National Intelligence Organization targeted numerous “strategic locations” used by the Kurdistan Workers’ Party — the PKK — or by Syrian Kurdish militia that are affiliated with the militants, the Anadolu Agency reported. The …
Although many contractor-intensive wars in Asia and Europe are winding down, a key observer believes that the PMC industry’s worldwide value will reach $326.38 billion by 2032 The private military services market is experiencing notable growth driven by heightened global security concerns and the increasing need for specialized defense solutions. Integral to addressing evolving security challenges, private military services play …
Zelenskyy ally Serhiy Hryvko introduced a bill in parliament that would expand the use of private military contractors in the war-torn country, both now and later. The legislation primarily targets the post-war period, aiming to address challenges associated with demobilization, including concerns about unregistered weapons, unemployment, and security risks. It proposes PMCs as potential employers for veterans, offering a path …
For military veterans, burn pit injuries are this generation’s Agent Orange injuries. During the Vietnam War, the Air Force sprayed chemical defoliant on Southeast Asian jungles to thin the Viet Cong’s cover. For some reason, no one thought that the same chemical that killed organic plant cells might also harm organic human cells. Despite the passage of new laws, many …
A retired Navy Seal and current Mercy Flight helicopter pilot is devoting his life to helping war veterans suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder. Haji Shareef’s career as a pilot began long before he joined the Mercy Flight team. After nine deployments, several being in the Middle East, Shareef transitioned to the Navy reserve. He began working with explosive detection dogs, …
In August 2024, three B-2 Spirit Stealth Bombers deployed from the 509th Bomb Wing at Whiteman Air Force Base, Missouri, to Naval Support Facility Diego Garcia to support Pacific Air Forces’ Bomber Task Force missions. The 29-hour sortie demonstrated continued U.S. commitment to allies and partners by showcasing their ability to deliver lethal, ready, long-range strike options to Geographic Combatant …
The Colombian nationals, who may have been working for a U.S.-based firm, may be extradited to Russia, where they face up to fifteen years in prison for mercenaries. The two men, who joined the Ukrainian Foreign Legion in 2023, disappeared at Caracas airport in Venezuela while en route to Colombia. The sister of one of the detainees said that they …
Returning veterans always have a hard time adjusting to life at home, and their loved ones have a hard time adjusting as well. William Wyler’s classic The Best Years of Our Lives effectively portrays both stories. In this tense reunion, disabled veteran Homer Parrish does not seem too happy to be home. His family and girlfriend do not seem too …
The LHWA compensates injured maritime workers, mostly dock workers. The LHWA may be the most important workers’ compensation law you have never heard of. In 2023, cruise and cargo ship traffic hit record highs in Florida. Seven Florida ports counted 19.4 million cruise passengers that year, topping the previous record by more than 1 million people. That record was set …
The Veterans Administration claims that the new burn pit registry “is a significant improvement in making data available in a way that better serves all those who were exposed to burn pits and other hazards.” The registry is a secure database of health information provided by veterans and service members to help the VA better understand, research, and improve treatment …
An Iranian news service reported that “Qatar’s Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani is scheduled to consult with Iranian officials, including Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi, on bilateral and important regional issues.” Qatar, alongside Egypt and the United States, has acted as a mediator to secure a ceasefire to end a 10-month war between Israel and …
