Blog Post

Daily News Brief 05.14.12
Posted by Jacob Worrell on May 14

Here are some of today's top stories and happenings at IAVA.  Prefer to receive real-time updates about major stories and legislation that IAVA is tracking? Follow us on Twitter @IAVAPressRoom and click here to get the News Brief delivered to your inbox every morning.

MUST READS

1) Veterans are not 'dollar signs in uniform'

Congress was right to mimic the World War 2-era GI Bill in 2008, but the post-9/11 GI Bill has been threatened by the avarice of certain schools, writes USA TODAY in an editorial. For-profits tend to be more concerned with reeling in federal funds than high graduation rates or meaningful educational experiences for their students. Protecting the new GI Bill is one of IAVA’s highest legislative priorities this year.

2) Want to help vets with PTSD? Treat families too

A new study produced by the Institute for Veterans and Military Families shows military families may need as much mental health support as veterans who suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder. Just like a deployment, a mental health injury can place incredible strain upon a family. Read the report.

3) U.S. May Scrap Costly Efforts to Train Iraqi Police

Five months after the American withdrawal from Iraq, the U.S. State Department has drastically cut a program to train Iraqi security forces. The extended training of Iraqi police was the centerpiece for the American post-occupation mission in Iraq. Now, the entire strategy is in doubt as the U.S. considers cutting all funding for a program that has little support in both the United States and Iraq. 

AFGHANISTAN

• A former Taliban minister and senior Afghan peace mediator was assassinated in Kabulover the weekend. No party has claimed responsibility for the killing.
• Nine were killed by a blast in northern Faryab province on Monday.

IRAQ

• Iraq is developing nationalism through reality television and social media, writes Mashable.
• Local officials in Babylon are reviving a seasonal art event that drew hundreds of thousands of Iraqis in its prime.

MILITARY AFFAIRS

• Scientists are researching military health issues at record levels, writes Gregg Zoroya in USA TODAY.
• Women deserve the same training and opportunities as men in the Armed Forces, writes IAVA member Timothy Kudo in USA TODAY.
• Special veteran courts with alternative punishments may be an effective way to treat distressed service members, writes James Dao in The New York Times At War blog.

NEW GREATEST GENERATION

• A mother’s love helped one veteran become the person she is today, writes Kate Hoit in Mother’s Day entry on VAntage Point.
• The Yankees helped a service member reunite with her former military working dog in a ceremony at Yankee Stadium on Sunday.

INSIDE WASHINGTON

• In a nod to modern warfare, a lawmaker wants to expand the Purple Heart medal for service members wounded in domestic terror attacks.
• The military community will play an important role in the 2012 presidential elections, predicts Reuters.

A wide-range of views, positions, and publications are represented in these articles. These views, positions and publications are not endorsed by nor do they necessarily represent the views of IAVA.