BattlelandNational Security
“Anyone who approved or participated in the torture of my client should be prepared to take the witness stand.” That’s what Navy Lt. Cmdr. Stephen Reyes told the Washington Post about the upcoming military trial of his client, Abd al-Rahim Al-Nashiri. Nashiri faces a possible death sentence for his alleged role in the October 2000 …
BattlelandPolitics
In February, word of a fundraiser for 13 House Republican freshmen lawmakers got out – first reported by Bloomberg-Government. Dubbing themselves the “Lucky 13,” these lawmakers are all on the influential House Armed Services Committee, which authorizes spending and creates policy for the Defense Department. A fundraising body …
BattlelandNational Security
Time colleague Bobby Ghosh recalls his friend, Chris Hondros, on our Global Spin blog. Chris was killed Wednesday in Misrata, Libya, along with Tim Hetherington. Brave war reporters like Bobby are nothing compared to the guys who go in to make the pictures of conflict around the world that we rely on to try to come to grips with such …
BattlelandWeapons
For the first time in history, a Russian submarine will be engaging in war games with NATO subs next month. “Apart from honing their skills, the naval rescuers on the games will certainly contribute to mutual confidence between the sides,” Russian analyst Vladimir Yevseyev tells The Voice of Russia news service. “This, in turn, …
BattlelandNational Security
Time photo editor Paul Moakley reflects on the death Wednesday of Restrepo director Tim Hetherington in Misrata, Libya.
BattlelandTroops
Four of every five young U.S. military officers who hang up their uniforms say the best officers are bailing from the military’s ranks. And it isn’t about the money, according to a new study. The report, by two graduate students at Harvard University’s Kennedy School of Government, asked 250 young officers to list their reasons for …
BattlelandNational Security
The New York Times is reporting Thursday morning that the Libyan war – launched by Americans with their fingers crossed – will likely have “no quick and easy end.” It’s hard to recall those days in early March when the rebels were on the move and U.S.-led air attacks, later joined by NATO, were viewed as little more than a armed …
BattlelandPentagon
The Army created its Accessions Command in 2002. On Wednesday, with encouragement from the Pentagon, it killed it. The U.S. Army Accessions Command was 9. The Army says it will shut down the command, based at Fort Monroe, Va., over the next 18 months. That will lead to the elimination of two general’s slots, 65 other military …
BattlelandNational Security
President Obama’s latest announcement that he intends to seek $400 billion in reductions from his current security funding plans between FY 2012 and 2023 is only the latest signal that a defense build-down is under way. What is missing is a detailed plan for managing the build-down; that will be the responsibility of the next …
BattlelandNational Security
Colleague and columnist Joe Klein, over on Swampland, doesn’t like the way LTG Dave Rodriguez is being shown the door after his long service in Afghanistan.
BattlelandTroops
Our country loves our troops so much we’ll do anything to give them more money — like extending, yet again — for the sixth time — the government’s deadline for them to apply for bonuses if they had to fight in Afghanistan or Iraq beyond their enlistment period. You may recall the controversial “stop loss” orders issued to troops …
BattlelandNational Security
Restrepo director Tim Hetherington is reported killed in Misratah. Photographers Chris Hondros and Guy Martin were with him when the three were apparently hit with a rocket-propelled grenade. Hondros’ wounds are reported as extremely grave.
BattlelandPolitics
…here, from TIME’s Hilary Hylton in Texas.
