National Security, Terrorism, and the Military
Two botched attacks since December 2009 have brought the threat of terrorism back into the spotlight. After a failed attempt to bomb a U.S. airliner heading for Detroit on Christmas day, Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano acknowledged holes in the security system. Five months later, authorities seized a would-be car bomb in a car parked in New York City’s Times Square. Both incidents prompted the Obama administration to sharpen their focus on a defense strategy aimed at al Qaeda-radicalized Americans and to release a 52-page outline of their strategy in May 2010.
Almost nine years after the 9/11 terrorist attacks that hit lower Manhattan and the Pentagon, the Afghanistan War continues, its resolution uncertain. In December 2009, President Obama authorized an additional 30,000 troops for the Afghanistan effort. In June 2010, the commander in charge of the Afghanistan war, Gen. Stanley McChrystal, resigned after he and his staff were quoted in Rolling Stone making inappropriate remarks about Obama and administration officials. Gen. David Petraeus, the head of U.S. Central Command, known for his successful military policies in the Iraq war, took command in Afghanistan. A couple months later, Defense Secretary Robert Gates said he was considering retirement in 2011. The Pentagon chief, carried over from the Bush administration, had called for a bigger defense budget but also took steps to reign in Pentagon spending. He was popular on Capitol Hill, where the Senate passed a $60 billion war funding bill to finance additional troops to Afghanistan. Sen. Russ Feingold has been opposed to funding more troops without a withdrawal time line. In August 2010, nearly seven years after the beginning of the Iraq war, the last U.S. combat troops left Iraq. Still, thousands of noncombat troops and military personnel remain in the country.
The latest news on National Security, Terrorism, and the Military
To suggest that the men in our armed forces cannot control their emotions is a real slap at the professionals who wear the uniform.
Analyst: All stakeholders could sign onto strategic-based funding cuts
Locklear calls some Chinese actions "hostile," but says nation "should be a partner."
McCain, Graham: 'The time has come' to oust Assad.
Despite talk of 2013 end for combat ops, military officials say fighting will continue beyond next year.
General: U.S. officer-turned-whistle blower only talked to 'one or two privates.'
A flap over NGOs might cause Washington to cut off its military aid spigot to Egypt.
Industry officials say American companies could fall behind as allies find weapons vendors elsewhere.
With new Iran sanctions, Obama continues good cop-bad cop tack.
Romney's Navy vision might be too pricey.
