To read the full edition check out: The Frontlines Weekly Update (JUL 18-24, 2011)
The Frontlines of Iraq
Iraqi security forces have smashed an Al-Qaeda network in Iraq allegedly responsible for hundreds of killings in Baghdad, a senior police official said on Sunday.” Interior Ministry forces dismantled (an) Al-Qaeda network that was responsible for more than 100 murders of policemen, soldiers, judges, officials and jewelers in Baghdad,” the official said, asking not to be named because he is not authorized to speak to the media.The war in Iraq has claimed 44 American lives in 2011 thus far and a total of 4,474 for the entirety of the war. Source: www.icasualties.org
Full Story Location http://www.middle-east-online.com/english/?id=47303
The Frontlines of Afghanistan
An 8 year-old boy was hanged by militants in Afghanistan’s Helmand province after the boy’s father — a police officer in the southern city of Gereshk — refused to comply with militants’ demands to provide them with a police vehicle, officials said. Afghan President Hamid Karzai condemned the hanging, saying “this action is not permitted in any culture or any religions,” according to a statement Sunday, which provided details of the incident. The war in Afghanistan has claimed 234 American lives in 2011 thus far and a total of 1,680 for the entirety of the war. Source: www.icasualties.org
Full Story Location http://edition.cnn.com/2011/WORLD/asiapcf/07
/24/afghanistan.militants.hang.boy/index.html
The Frontlines Weekly Update Brief provides a snapshot of relevant news for those that are often to busy with their daily life. The intent is to provide quality, and referenced material to inspire readers to learn more about the issues currently facing our country. If you have a different opinion or comment please post it here, or email me at [email protected]. To learn more please visit The Frontlines. Thank you.
very respectfully,
Warrant
First Afghan Female Military Pilots Arrive in US for Training
Sourya Saleh, wearing a black scarf to cover her hair and an olive drab Afghan Army uniform, doesn’t look like a cultural warrior. But she and three fellow Afghan women, the first of their gender to qualify as pilots in the Afghan Army, may help change attitudes about women in their conservative Muslim homeland where women’s voices often go unheard.
“We are going to open the door for other ladies in Afghanistan,” the Afghan Army Second Lieutenant told reporters at Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio. “It is a big deal for us, to open this door for others. Other ladies who feel that they can’t do it, we want to show them.”
Full Story Location http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/07/13/us-afghan-women-texas-idUSTRE76C7FY20110713?feedType=RSS&feedName=domesticNews
To read the full Weekly Update please visit The Frontlines Weekly Update (JUL 11-17, 2011). If you have a different opinion or comment please post it here, or email me at [email protected]. Thank you.
very respectfully,
The Warrant
THE FRONTLINES BULLETIN There have been several interesting articles in the news lately, this is one of the top three:
The Obama Doctrine Defined
The words “vacillating” and “aimless” are commonly used by both left and right to describe President Barack Obama’s approach to the Libya war. His political friends and foes alike lament that he has no clear goal in Libya—and that, by failing to articulate one, he is revealing his unease at having been dragged into the fight to oust the regime of Muammar Qaddafi.
Democratic Senator James Webb of Virginia issued a press release on March 21, 2011, noting that the U.S. mission in Libya “lacks clarity.” Former Republican Senator Slade Gorton wrote in the Washington Post: “We should never enter a war halfway and with an indecisive goal. Regrettably, that is where we stand today.”
The criticism has some validity, but it misses an important point: the administration’s approach has logic and coherence in the service of strategic considerations that extend far beyond Libya.
Since his campaign in 2007 and 2008, Barack Obama has declared that he wants to transform America’s role in world affairs. And now, in the third year of his term, we can see how he is bringing about that transformation. The United States under Barack Obama is less assertive, less dominant, less power-minded, less focused on the American people’s particular interests, and less concerned about preserving U.S. freedom of action. It is true that he did not simply pull the plug on the war in Iraq, as he promised he would do, and that he increased the commitment of troops in Afghanistan. But those compromises reflect the president’s pragmatic judgment about the art of the possible, not his conviction about what kind of country America should ultimately become.
Source: http://www.commentarymagazine.com/article/the-obama-doctrine-defined/
TASK/CONDITIONS/STANDARDS for THE FRONTLINES BULLETIN
The TASK is to provide valuable information for veterans. The CONDITIONS are information overload of often useless partisan rhetoric which distorts the facts, clutters the environment, and thus prohibits important information from being distributed to Veterans. The STANDARDS are that The Frontlines Bulletin will be short, concise, and referenced material in order to provide timely and relevant information to Veterans and their families.
To read the entire bulletin please read: The Frontlines Bulletin (122300(S)JUL2011). If you have a different opinion or comment please post it here or email me at [email protected] or visit www.thefrontlines.com. Fronts Change. Memories Don’t.
Thank you.
Very respectfully,
The “Warrant”
US military withdrawal of a number of its troops from Pakistan
The Pentagon said it had received a request from the Pakistani government to reduce its presence in the country. The request came after a raid by US special forces killed al-Qaeda leader Osama Bin Laden in early May. The US has more than 200 troops in Pakistan helping to train the army. But there are said to be intelligence and special forces operating there. A spokesman at the Pentagon said that within the last two weeks Pakistan had asked the American military to reduce its footprint, and the Americans were doing so, pulling out some troops. The numbers are quite small. It is not clear if any of the American intelligence and special operations forces that are said to be in Pakistan clandestinely are also being pulled out.
Source: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-13555557?print=true
The Frontlines of Iraq
Roadside bombs, ethnic violence and use of IEDs continued to plague Iraqi stability. Several indirect fire attacks were conducted against U.S. bases resulting in casualties. Since our last report 5 more American soldiers have been killed. The war in Iraq has claimed 29 American lives in 2011 thus far and a total of 4,459 for the entirety of the war. Source: www.icasualties.org
The Frontlines of Afghanistan
The Taliban attacked police checkpoints and ISAF forces throughout the country. Bombs were used against Afghan banks in an apparent bank heist. IEDs were also used against American forces in the Helmland province which resulted in the death of American service members. Since our last report 13 more American soldiers have been killed. The war in Afghanistan has claimed 164 American lives in 2011 thus far and a total of 1,610 for the entirety of the war. Source: www.icasualties.org
To read the full update please visit The Frontlines Weekly Update Brief (May 30-June 5, 2011) or check out The Frontlines. Thank you.
Very respectfully,
The Warrant
References
The Economist. (2011). May 28-June 4th Issue.
iCasualties. (2011). Coalition Casualties in Iraq and Afghanistan. Retrieved from www.icasualties.org.
The Frontlines Bulletin: Libya: Our First Cosmopolitan War?
It is arguably the first military conflict—certainly the first fought by the leading participants from the West—fought under the legal supervision of the International Criminal Court. American authorities may think they are holding to special constraints here, because it is “only” a humanitarian mission. The distinction may not seem at all so clear to others—even in NATO countries. The Statute of the International Criminal Court, for example, makes no distinction between rules that apply in well-meaning interventions as compared with other conflicts. What we have embraced in Libya is a set of rules that make effective war-making very difficult. What all of this means is that commanders must focus on limiting the enemy’s immediate military capacities, but not seek to impose larger costs on the opposing country or government in the conflict. Does NATO take this seriously? It seems to take these rules very seriously indeed. In most wars, continuation of fighting risks escalation of war aims and war methods. That provides an incentive for the weaker side to stand down earlier. Here, NATO seems to have tied its hands from the outset.
Source: http://www.fpri.org/enotes/201105.rabkin.libya.html
To read the full bulletin please visit THE FRONTLINES BULLETIN (040900(S)JUN2011), or to learn more about The Frontlines please check outwww.thefrontlines.com. Thank you.
Very respectfully,
The Warrant
THE FRONTLINES BULLETIN There have been several interesting articles in the news lately, this week the top three are:
1. In Warrior Games, Power of Sport Aids the Wounded
Over 200 wounded service members and veterans from every branch of the military participated in the second annual Warrior Games, held at the United States Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs, last Wednesday.
The Warrior Games were created by and organized through the United States Olympic Committee and the Department of Defense. The games are based on the idea that physical activities help to facilitate both physical and mental recovery.
FULL STORY www.nytimes.com/2011/05/22/sports/in-warrior-games-power-of-sport-aids-the-wounded.html?_r=1&ref=veterans
2. Pathological Gambling Rate High Among Veterans
About 10% of U.S. veterans report to have one or more gambling-related problems, revealed by a study of over 2,000 veterans in the Department of Veteran Affairs care. Unemployment, marital status, and mental health are the most influential variables in the development of pathological gambling behavior among veterans.
Research shows that veterans suffer from two times as many gambling problems compared to the general population. The rate is expected to increase to 2.7 times in the future.
FULL STORY www.internalmedicinenews.com/news/mental-health/single-article/problem-pathological-gambling-rates-high-among-veterans/455ca84402.html
To read the remaining bulletin check it out at: THE FRONTLINES BULLETIN (231310(S)MAY2011)
TASK/CONDITIONS/STANDARDS for THE FRONTLINES BULLETIN
The TASK is to provide valuable information for veterans. The CONDITIONS are information overload of often useless partisan rhetoric which distorts the facts, clutters the environment, and thus prohibits important information from being distributed to Veterans. The STANDARDS are that The Frontlines Bulletin will be short, concise, and referenced material in order to provide timely and relevant information to Veterans and their families.
If you have a different opinion or comment please visit The Frontlines or email me at [email protected].
Thank you.
Very respectfully,
The “Warrant”
THE FRONTLINES OF AFGHANISTAN
Tuesday Morning a NATO helicopter crashed in Afghanistan, destroying the aircraft but fortunately no casualties to crew members on board. Several NATO convoys were attacked by roadside bombs and IEDs. One attack resulted in 12 killed and 28 wounded in a southern Kandahar province. IEDs were also used to killed several NATOP members in Eastern Afghanistan. In May 2011 there have been 29 coalition forces members killed. Since our last report 9 American soldiers have been killed. In 2011 there have been 1582 U.S. service members killed in Afghanistan.
THE FRONTLINES OF IRAQ
Roadside bombs wounded six in a western district of Khadra and several other bombings took place throughout Iraq. In Kirkuk, several attacks were carried out which killed several civilians. A parked car bomb was used to target police and its blast killed two civilians and wounded 14 others in Kirkuk. Two Americans were also killed in operations in Baghdad. There were several outbreaks of violence in the capital city which resulted in several Iraqi civilians wounded or killed in clashes. Since our last report 2 more Americans were killed, bringing the total American death toll in Iraq to 4,454.
To read the full update please visit The Frontlines Weekly Update Brief (May 16-22, 2011). If you have a different opinion or comment please post it here, or email me at [email protected]. Thank you.
very respectfully,
The “Warrant”
References
The Economist. (2011). May 21-27th Issue.
iCasualties. (2011). Coalition Casualties in Iraq and Afghanistan. Retrieved from www.icasualties.org.
The Frontlines Bulletin is designed to give you short, concise information on news from around the world. To read the full bulletin check out: THE FRONTLINES BULLETIN (181809(S)MAY2011)
North Korea
The United States plans to send its envoy for North Korean human rights, Robert King, to Pyongyang to assess the need for food aid and evaluate methods to ensure the aid shipments reach the hungry, a South Korean Foreign Ministry official said on 17 May. The official said King could visit as early as the week of 22 May.
A U.N. report that says China is allowing Iran and North Korea to collaborate on banned nuclear missile technology highlights the weakness of international efforts to stop the spread of weapons of mass destruction and presents U.S. officials with a dilemma. Lawmakers, congressional staffers and former officials told The Washington Times there has been clear evidence for more than a decade of China’s role assisting North Korea, Iran and Pakistan spread the know-how and technology needed to make nuclear-armed ballistic missiles that can strike cities a continent away.
Pakistan
Pakistani paramilitary troops shot at NATO helicopters that crossed from Afghanistan into Pakistan early Tuesday, triggering a firefight that left two soldiers wounded, military officials here said. According to a statement by the Pakistani army, paramilitary soldiers at a border post in North Waziristan spotted NATO helicopters in Pakistani airspace Tuesday morning. They fired on the helicopters, which then shelled the post, injuring two, the statement said. Pakistan said it had lodged a “strong protest” with NATO and demanded a border meeting of military officials. The Pakistani parliament on 14 May condemned the US raid to find and kill Usama bin Laden, calling for a review of U.S. relations and noting Pakistan could sever supply lines to US forces in Afghanistan should another such operations take place. Inter-Services Intelligence Directorate chief Lieutenant General Shuja Pasha reportedly said he is ready to resign from his post over the bin Laden incident, according to a lawmaker. His resignation was not accepted.
China
The Chinese People’s Liberation Army band is on its first visit to the US, making a joint appearance Monday night with the US Army band at Washington’s Kennedy Center. In the past year, the Pentagon leadership has expressed growing concern about China’s cyberespionage forays and its robust Navy, including the possible launch of its first aircraft carrier later this year. These trends are troubling to US military officials, who are seeking to expand American military presence in the Pacific. Chinese efforts to flex its muscle in recent years have at times sent shockwaves through the Pentagon. China’s successful ballistic missile shoot-down of one of its own orbiting satellites in 2007 was a feat widely seen as an ominous move toward the militarization of space. “I’m increasingly concerned about where China seems to be heading with that,” Mullen told the Monitor. During this visit, leaders on both sides are seeking to strike a more conciliatory tone, especially since it’s on the heels of Chinese President Hu Jintao’s first state visit to the US in January.
TASK/CONDITIONS/STANDARDS for THE FRONTLINES BULLETIN
The TASK is to provide valuable information for veterans. The CONDITIONS are information overload of often useless partisan rhetoric which distorts the facts, clutters the environment, and thus prohibits important information from being distributed to Veterans. The STANDARDS are that The Frontlines Bulletin will be short, concise, and referenced material in order to provide timely and relevant information to Veterans and their families.
If you have a different opinion or comment please post it here or email me at [email protected].
Thank you.
Very respectfully,
The Warrant
References
KGS NightWatch (http://www.kforcegov.com/Services/IS/NightWatch.aspx)
The Washington Post (http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/national-security/cia-flew-stealth-drones-into-pakistan-to-monitor-bin-laden-house/2011/05/13/AF5dW55G_story.html)
(http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/hundreds-of-afghans-protest-nato-raid-they-say-killed-4-civilians-nato-says-insurgents-died/2011/05/18/AFfTRI6G_story.html)
The Washington Times (http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2011/may/17/beijing-aiding-north-korea-and-iran-with-nuke-adva/)
Christian Science Monitor (http://www.csmonitor.com/USA/Military/2011/0517/Chinese-military-leaders-visit-US.-What-do-they-want
Recently, I was contacted by the History Channel regarding a new Civil War film, Gettysburg, produced by Ridley and Tony Scott. It airs on History Monday, May 30th, at 9pm (EST), and you can watch the trailer and read a brief summary of the program. As an avid fan of history the previews for this film look amazing and well worth watching. What do you think? To learn more about the Civil War also check out Americans Wage War On Other Americans.
Very respectfully,
The Warrant
Gettysburg is a 2-hour HISTORY special that kicks off a week of History programming commemorating the 150’th anniversary of the Civil War. Executive produced by Ridley and Tony Scott, this special strips away the romanticized veneer of the Civil War. It presents the pivotal battle of Gettysburg in a new light: as a visceral, terrifying and deeply personal experience, fought by men with everything on the line. Compelling CGI and powerful action footage place viewers in the midst of the fighting, delivering both an emotional cinematic experience and an information packed look at the turning points, strategic decisions, technology and little known facts surrounding the greatest engagement ever fought on American soil. The special begins in the high stakes summer of 1863, as the Confederate Army of Northern Virginia crosses into Pennsylvania. Trailed by the Union’s Army of the Potomac, Lee’s 75,000 strong army heads towards Harrisburg, converging instead near a quiet farm town, Gettysburg. Known then only as a crossroads where ten roads running in all directions converge like a wagon wheel, this small town would become site of an epic battle between North and South. For three days, each side fought there for their vision of what America should be. In collaboration with highly esteemed Civil War historians, HISTORY combed through hundreds of individual accounts of the battle to find the unique voices of struggle, defeat and triumph that tell the larger story of a bitterly conflicted nation.
To watch the trailer check out Civil War film, Gettysburg
DEATH OF A TERRORIST, NOW WHAT?
The decade long manhunt for the world’s worst terrorist finally came to a close, thanks to the combined efforts of U.S. agencies and military. With the death of Usama bin Laden at the hands of a Navy Seal team last Saturday, questions about his impact on global politics and implications for the future of terrorism remain. Eliminating the leader of al-Qaeda was a serious blow, but not a death blow to the organization. The U.S. will undoubtedly continue to pursue terrorists worldwide, but will the foreign policy of stabilizing Afghanistan and Iraq continue? Or will a more expedient drawdown from the region occur? The death of the man responsible for the attacks on September 11, 2001 has left many questions unanswered, most importantly how was he able to evade capture for so long? bin Laden was killed in a comfrtable urban area near Pakistan’s equivalent of West Point. How the most wanted terrorist lived there for nearly six years under the nose of Pakistan security and military forces remains unknown, and has further strained relations between the U.S. and Pakistan. U.S. officials pledged a full investigation into how bin Laden lived unscathed and comfortable for so many years.
THE FRONTLINES OF AFGHANISTAN
Approximately 100 insurgents on motorcycles attacked a northern Afghani village that was working with a government sponsored police program. IEDs were used throughout the country against ISAF forces, and Afghan police were charged by Oxfam with committing child sex abuse, torture and killings. Al Qaeda confirmed the death of their leader Usama bin Laden, bringing a close to the life of the terrorist, at the hands of U.S. forces last week.
Since our last report 5 more American have died in Operation Enduring Freedom. The war in Afghanistan has claimed 125 American lives thus far in 2011, and the total for the war is now 1,571 (www.icasualties.org).
THE FRONTLINES OF IRAQ
The trial of 3 American hikers charged with spying in Iran was postponed again. The hikers were arrested along the Iran-Iraq border over a year ago. Iraq’s prime minister said he may ask for thousands of American soldiers to remain in the country in order to provide security in the country, as roadside bombs and attacks continued throughout the country.
Since our last report NO more American soldiers were killed in Iraq. The death toll for service members killed in 2011 is 22 and an overall death total of 4,452 (www.icasualties.org).
If you have a different opinion or would like to read the full update please visit The Frontlines Weekly Update Brief (May 2-8, 2011) or The Frontlines. Thank you.
very respectfully,
The Warrant
References
The Economist. (2011). May 7-13th Issue.
iCasualties. (2011). Coalition Casualties in Iraq and Afghanistan. Retrieved from www.icasualties.org.