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newsvineIAVA Daily Brief 09.22.09
Posted by Terrell Frazier on September 22
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.
MUST READS
1) Officials ponder adding drones, not troops
The White House is looking at expanding counterterror operations in Pakistan as an alternative to a major military escalation in Afghanistan. Two senior administration officials said Monday that the renewed fight against al-Qaida could lead to more missile attacks on Pakistan terrorist havens by unmanned U.S. spy planes. The officials spoke on condition of anonymity because no decisions have been made. The prospect of a White House alternative to a deepening involvement in Afghanistan comes as administration officials debate whether to send more troops — as urged in a leaked assessment of the deteriorating conflict by the top U.S. commander there, Lt. Gen. Stanley McChrystal.
2) Vehicle Armor Recognized in Army Awards
On Monday, Army scientist Scott E. Schoenfeld and a team of Army experts were recognized for devising an "add on" lightweight armor kit that the Army said has proved resistant to the powerful EFPs—explosively formed penetrators—that were so potent they were destroying even the most-heavily armored vehicles. Schoenfeld's work and the efforts of nine other programs deployed in the field last year were recognized as the Army's top inventions of 2008 by its Aberdeen-based Research, Development and Engineering Command. The 10 winners were selected by a panel of soldiers from 30 nominees, said spokesman Robert DiMichele. "These are actually innovations that have been put into the field that soldiers are using right now," he said. "A lot of these are things that are really innovations that protect the soldier and save soldiers' lives."
3) Marine charged with faking war wounds for gain
The AP reports the U.S. Marines are "court-martialing...34-year-old" Sgt. David W. Budwah, who has claimed to have been injured while serving in Afghanistan. The Marines, however, are "alleging he was never in Afghanistan, wasn't wounded and didn't earn the combat medals he wore -- or the many privileges he enjoyed" as a result of his claims. Budwah's case is remarkable because he is an active-duty Marine facing military justice, not a civilian charged with wearing unearned medals. Of nearly 3,100 courts-martial last year in the four major armed services, only 27 were trials for wearing illegal decorations. Just two involved Marines. The AP adds, "Budwah faces up to 31 1/2 years in prison and a dishonorable discharge if convicted on all eight counts at a trial set for Oct. 20. at Quantico."
4) Do you want to be in a TV commercial to help other vets?
AFGHANISTAN
Afghan President Hamid Karzai said Monday that he backs a recommendation from the top U.S. commander in Afghanistan to boost American troop levels in the country. The call for more U.S. soldiers is "the right approach ... and we back it," Karzai said during an interview with CNN's Christiane Amanpour. He also criticized military allies for failing to attack al Qaeda and other extremists in sanctuaries beyond Afghanistan's borders. Karzai also emphasized the need for greater protection of Afghan communities and civilians during. Some critics of an increased U.S. military presence have questioned the legitimacy of Karzai's government in the wake of Afghanistan's disputed August presidential election results. Click here to watch an excerpt from the wide-ranging discussion.
Meanwhile, police officials from some of Afghanistan's most violent regions have questioned the need for more American troops, saying Monday it would increase the perception the U.S. is an occupying power and the money would be better spent on local forces. The officials come from some of the provinces where the militant threat is the strongest and where international soldiers and Afghans alike have struggled for years to keep the peace. Their reluctance to add troops is striking because of their broad experience against the Taliban. "It is very hard for local people to accept any foreigners who come to our country and say they are fighting for our freedom," said Gen. Azizudin Wardak. The top U.S. and NATO spokesman in Afghanistan, Adm. Gregory Smith, agreed that Afghan forces would be key to defeating the Taliban. But he added that the "major way forward" was to partner international troops with Afghan ones on a day-to-day basis, and not simply for the West to train Afghan forces and send them out on their own.
On his Foreign Policy blog, Marc Lynch urges the media not to fall into easy or convenient narratives when covering the release of Lt. Gen. McChrystal’s confidential report. He writes, “Were it not for the optics of a leaked 'strategic review' amidst an intensifying public debate, I doubt this would dominate the front pages." Obama is clearly thinking Afghanistan through carefully, Lynch writes, and so is McChrystal. If their work is deterred by "artificial political narratives and selective leaks" – like framing the two men as opponents – it will be more difficult to find a real solution for resolving the war. In order to find a workable solution to the war in Afghanistan, Lynch argues, Obama and McChrystal should continue doing what they're doing and ignore the media hype.
In an interview with CNN, acclaimed author of The Kite Runner Khaled Hosseini discusses his recent visit to Afghanistan and argues that sustained stability in the region in an achievable goal. “But in order to meet this goal we do have to be patient. This will take time. We need a sustained commitment on the part of the international community,” he says. “We can’t meet this goal through military intervention alone. It has to be linked to political, social, and economic intervention as well.” Click here to watch the full interview.
IRAQ
As the worst of the country's sectarian bloodshed ebbs, Iraqis now face a new threat to getting on with their lives: a frenzy of violent crime. Many of those involved are believed to be battle-experienced former insurgents unable to find legitimate work. The result has been a wave of thefts and armed robberies, hitting homes, cars, jewelry stores, currency exchanges, pawn shops and banks. To cope, some businesses are hiring more guards and even taking their money out of Iraqi banks, believing it will be safer in secret locations under private guard or in banks outside the country. There are few statistics tracking the number and kinds of crimes, in part because the government remains focused on the bombings and other insurgent attacks that continue to plague Baghdad and Iraq's north.
MILITARY AFFAIRS
Former Republican congressman John McHugh has been sworn in as the new secretary of the Army. President Barack Obama named McHugh to the Army’s top civilian spot in June. McHugh, 60, was in his ninth term representing upstate New York. He was the top Republican on the House of Representatives Armed Services Committee. He joins another high-ranking Republican at the Pentagon, Defense Secretary Robert Gates.
On its website, KGTV-TV San Diego, CA, reported, "Disabled veterans from around San Diego Country will be surfing, sailing, kayaking, cycling and competing in track and field around San Diego this week as part of the second annual National Veterans Summer Sports Clinic," which offers veterans a "chance...to compete, learn and talk with other people who understand what they've been through." On Monday, Veterans Affairs Secretary Eric Shinseki "came from Washington D.C. to observe" the clinic, which he "said...helps the veterans physically and mentally." Jason McKean, who "was badly injured by an IED in Iraq," made similar comments, saying the clinic "means a lot" because "I can...do stuff I used to do before my disabilities."
INSIDE WASHINGTON
Rep. Glenn Nye, D-Va., wants to give service members a better chance of getting into the apartments by excluding military housing allowances from being counted as income when determining eligibility for housing built under Section 42 of the Internal Revenue Code. That provision gives tax breaks to developers who build affordable apartments that are restricted to low-income families. Section 42 is sometimes known as the “affordable housing” initiative in apartment advertising. Sometimes only some units in a larger apartment complex are covered by the income caps and reduced rent. The change proposed Monday by Nye, which he calls the Military Families Affordable Homes Act of 2009, is not unprecedented. Some exceptions to the income rules that help service members already exist, but they apply in narrow areas.
CONGRESSIONAL SCHEDULE
HOUSE FLOOR ACTIVITY of INTEREST
September 22, 2009 Veterans’ Affairs Subcommittee on Health Hearing: Is the VA Meeting the Pharmaceutical Needs of Veterans? An Examination of the VA National Formulary, Issues of Patient Safety, and Management of the Pharmacy Benefits Program 2:00 p.m.; 334 Cannon HOB
FUTURE HOUSE COMMITTEE HEARINGS of INTEREST
September 23, 2009 Veterans’ Affairs Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations Hearing: SES Bonuses and Other Administrative Issues at the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs 10:00 a.m.; 334 Cannon HOB
September 24, 2009 Veterans’ Affairs Subcommittee on Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs Hearing: Honoring the Fallen: How Can We Better Serve America’s Veterans and Their Families? 10:00 a.m.; 334 Cannon
September 24, 2009 Veterans’ Affairs Subcommittee on Economic Opportunity Hearing: Legislative Hearing H.R. 294, H.R. 1169, H.R. 1182, H.R. 2416, H.R. 2461, H.R. 2614, H.R. 2696, H.R. 2874, H.R. 2928, H.R. 3223, H.R. 3554, H.R. 3561, H.R. 3577, and Draft Legislation 1:00 p.m.; 334 Cannon.
September 30, 2009 Full Veterans’ Affairs Committee Hearing: Energy Efficiency at the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs 10:00 a.m.; 334 Cannon
October 8, 2009 Veterans’ Affairs Subcommittee on Economic Opportunity Markup of Pending Legislation 1:00 p.m.; 334 Cannon
October 14, 2009 Full Veterans’ Affairs Committee Hearing: Update on the State of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs 10:00 a.m.; 334 Cannon HOB
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