This site gets much traffic from all around the world, from people searching for news from Iraq, making it an ideal place to host stories from deployed forces in harm’s way. In my travels I’ve met many budding writers who are now wearing boots and carrying rifles, and I found their stories so compelling that I want the world to see.
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- Published: Tuesday, 07 May 2013 15:56
- Written by Center on National Security at Forham Law
07 May 2013
From: Center on National Security at Forham Law
Crisis at Guantanamo:
Will the Prison Ever Close?
Join Carol Rosenberg, David H. Remes, Dr. Gerald E. Thomson, and Karen Greenberg for a discussion about current conditions at Guantanamo and the feasibility of closing down the prison.
Guantanamo Bay prison is in crisis. At least 100 inmates, many of whom have been cleared for release, are participating in a hunger strike to protest years of detention without charges. Prison officials have resorted to force-feeding prisoners, a practice that many medical and human rights experts claim is inhumane and illegal. Some prisoners may be close to death. At a press conference on Tuesday, President Obama criticized the prison and vowed to renew efforts to close it.
Friday, May 10th, 12pm - 1:30pm (lunch served)
Fordham University at Lincoln Center
12th Floor Lounge, Lowenstein Building
113 West 60th Street, NYC
Read more: Webview : Crisis At Guantanamo - May 10
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- Published: Friday, 19 April 2013 13:45
- Written by General Barry McCaffrey, USA (Ret.)
19 April 2013
Written by: General Barry McCaffrey, USA (Ret.)
Below is both the Statememt for the Record and the PDF presentation from General Barry McCaffrey, USA (Ret.)
Read more: US Border Security - Immigration, Crime, and Terrorism
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- Published: Thursday, 18 April 2013 19:15
- Written by Free Burma Rangers
Kachin State, Burma
13 April 2013
Written by: Free Burma Rangers
Map showing area of this report. BA – Burma Army activity.
Below is a list of Burma Army activities in Kachin State and Northern Shan State in April, including attacks, troop movements and resupply operations.
11 April 2013
•Burma Army Infantry Battalion (IB) 50 with 1 bulldozer finished repairing the road from Byeng Wai to Mazup Pa in Mansi Township, which is in the Kachin Independence Army (KIA) 3rd Brigade, 27th Battalion’s area of operation.
•In territory of KIA 1st Battalion, under 3rd Brigade area in Mansi Township, 20 Burma Army troops were sent to Manje to reinforce IB 240 which arrived earlier. A combined force from IB 69 and IB 240 arrived near Pying Kadu where fighting previously took place between the Kachin Independence Organization’s (KIO) civilian militia forces, called MKM and MHH, and the Burma Army. The fighting occurred on April 10, 2013, between 9:25 and 10:30 AM.
•In the operating area of KIA 17th Battalion under 4th Brigade in Kuthkai Township, Northern Shan State, approximately 80 Burma Army troops arrived at Nam Yi, about 100 troops arrived at Pang Palu, about 50 troops arrived at Sin Jai beyond Bang Hkam, and about 40 troops arrived at Man Kang. All troops are from IB 145 and Light Infantry Battalion (LIB) 323.
•In territory controlled by KIA 36th and 38th Battalions under 4th Brigade area in Muse Township, Northern Shan State, a combined force of about 100 troops from IB 242 and LIB 568 continued military operations near Ba Hpang.
•In territory under the control of KIA 5th Battalion, 2nd Brigade in Shwegu Township, Kachin State, Burma Army IB 93 and LIB 309 troops are building security camps along Chyaut Gyi, Shwe Nying Chan and Si Sat. They were previously providing security at Pang Hkawn Yang to transport rations and ammunition.
•In territory under the control of KIA 6th Battalion, 2nd Brigade, Hpakant Township, Kachin State, about 50 Burma Army troops from LIB 347 made attacks around Pang Hka.
•In territory under the control of KIA Battalion 11, Brigade 2 in Myitkyina Township, IB 347 troops made attacks at Tang Hpre and nearby places.
•IB 74 troops carried out military operations along the railroad – Sa Maw and Tawng Ni in Mogoung Township, Kachin State.
Read more: FBR Report: Attacks Continue as the Burma Army Maneuvers in Kachin State
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- Published: Saturday, 13 April 2013 19:20
- Written by Free Burma Rangers
13 April, 2013
Karenni State, Burma
Written By: Free Burma Rangers
Dear friends,
On Friday afternoon, 22 March, a fire devastated the Mae Surin Refugee Camp, home to more than 3,605 people. The deadly fire killed 39 people and left 2300 homeless. The response of people wanting to help has been swift. Thank you for part in this and for the help for these Karenni families. Here is an update and photos of the situation and a thank you for all who helped. This report is written by the team we sent to help.
Refugees and their burned homes
Read more: FBR Report: The Burning of Karenni Camp 2 And Relief Efforts
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- Published: Monday, 25 March 2013 13:21
- Written by Rob Marshall
25 March 2013
Written by: Rob Marshall
Family and Friends,
I've been meaning to write this email for some time now. I thought it would be better to hold off until the big event was close, but I didn't expect it to be just a few days away when I sent this! As you can tell, I'm about to depart on a huge journey. On Thursday, March 28th, I'm flying to Nepal to lead a team of Air Force members to Mt. Everest. Six of us will go for the summit, and six other Airmen will turn around upon reaching Everest Base Camp. Three of these folks are wounded warriors who I invited to join us in hopes that it aids them in their emotional and physical recoveries. No team of US military members has ever attempted to climb Mt. Everest. If successful, not only will we be the first team of American military members to reach the summit, but we will also be the first military team from any nation to successfully climb the '7 Summits'- the highest peak on each of the seven continents.
Read more: USAF and American Flags Atop Mt. Everest
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- Published: Sunday, 17 March 2013 20:25
- Written by G.S. Newbold, Lieutenant General, USMC (Ret.)
17 March 2013
Published here with permission from the author.
Written By: G.S. Newbold, Lieutenant General, USMC (Ret.)
Marine photo / Cpl. Jennifer Pirante Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Michelle Berglin trains for an upcoming deployment at Camp Pendleton in January.
Myth #1 – “It’s about women in combat.”
No, it’s not. Women are already in combat, and are serving well and professionally. The issue should be more clearly entitled, “Women in the infantry.” And this is a decidedly different proposition.
Myth #2 – “Combat has changed” (often accompanied by “There are no front lines anymore”).
This convenient misconception requires several counters. First, any serious study of military history will reveal numerous historical examples about how successive generations (over millennia) believed that warfare had changed forever, only to find that technology may change platforms, but not its harsh essence. To hope that conflicts over the last 20 years are models of a new, antiseptic form of warfare is delusional.
Read more: Seven Myths About “Women in Combat"
