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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 or subscribe to receive the brief in your inbox each morning at www.iava.org/dailynewsbrief.

MUST READS

1) When Cinéma Vérité Isn't

The Iraq War film "The Hurt Locker" has been picking up momentum in advance of the March 7th Oscars, emerging as the "Best Picture" frontrunner in the eyes of critics. However, in a Newsweek column today IAVA Executive Director Paul Rieckhoff says a key demographic is less than enchanted with the film and its portrayal of EOD units: Iraq veterans. The New York Times also reports the film is losing a "little altitude" following Rieckhoff and others criticisms for some inaccuracies about the experiences of the U.S. military in Iraq.

2) Better technology needed to fight IEDs

The head of the Defense Department’s main effort to combat roadside bombs is challenging the defense industry to improve the technology designed to detect them. Army Lt. Gen. Michael Oates, who was named director of the Joint Improvised Explosive Device Defeat Organization, said that of the 50 percent of IEDs U.S. forces detect, said 80 percent of those are detected by soldiers without technology.

3) Spike in ‘Marine’ casualties during Marjah offensive

At least 14 Marines have been killed in Afghanistan's Helmand province since the military began its assault on Marjah, according to the Defense Department. The majority of those deaths are from fighting in Marjah. US and Afghan officials said Wednesday the offensive in southern Afghanistan is a trial run for a major push into the city of Kandahar this summer.

AFGHANISTAN

A new directive, confirmed Wednesday, aims to limit nighttime raids on civilians. It was prompted by a storm of complaints from Afghans who were enraged over soldiers bursting into their homes.

NATO military leaders so far have come up with roughly half the number of extra trainers sought by the U.S. to increase the size and capability of Afghanistan’s historically unreliable security forces, according to a NATO official.

IRAQ

The Iraqi government is under fire from artistic communities for its demolition of works commissioned by Saddam Hussein’s regime during his 30 years in power.

The first train service in decades has set off from northern Iraq to Turkey. Both countries hope the re-opening of the historic rail link will contribute to the fast-growing trade between them.

MILITARY AFFAIRS

The Veterans Affairs Department has expanded its information technology oversight program designed to weed out underperforming IT projects to include all of the agency’s 282 projects.

An Oregon woman who helped persuade the Oregon Legislature to create a military family medical leave act now wants lawmakers to create a military family advisory council for the state.

Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates, who has long called European contributions to NATO inadequate, said that public and political opposition to the military had grown so great in Europe that it was directly affecting operations in Afghanistan and impeding the alliance¹s broader security goals.

INSIDE WASHINGTON

The House and Senate have 30 legislative days to consider a proposal from Defense Secretary Robert Gates that would allow women toserve on submarines.

More aggressive billing of private insurers for health care received at veterans hospitals and clinics may be a way to cut costs — but it’s also fraught with errors, a House subcommittee was warned Tuesday.

Illinois Gov. Pat Quinn says Iraq war veteran Tammy Duckworth doesn’t want to be considered for lieutenant governor. Quinn said Duckworth told him Tuesday she will keep her job” at the US Department of Veterans Affairs.

CONGRESSIONAL SCHEDULE

THE SENATE

The Senate will convene at 10:00 a.m.

SENATE FLOOR ACTIVITY of INTEREST

No issues today

COMMITTEE HEARINGS of INTEREST

No issues today

FUTURE COMMITTEE HEARINGS of INTEREST

February 26, 2010 SVAC Hearing: VA’s FY 2011 Budget 9:30 a.m.; 418 Russell

March 3, 2010 SVAC Oversight Hearing: Mental Health Care and Suicide Prevention for Veterans 9:30 a.m.; 418 Russell

March 24, 2010 SVAC Oversight Hearing: VA's Plan for Ending Homelessness among Veterans

THE HOUSE of REPRESENTATIVES



The House convenes at 9:00 a.m.

HOUSE FLOOR ACTIVITY of INTEREST

No issues today

HOUSE COMMITTEE HEARINGS of INTEREST



February 25, 2010 House Veterans' Affairs Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations Hearing: Gulf War Illness: The Future for Dissatisfied Veterans 10:00 a.m.; 334 Cannon HOB

February 25, 2010 House Veterans' Affairs Subcommittee on Economic Opportunity Legislative Hearing on H.R. 3257, H.R. 3484, H.R. 3579, H.R. 3813, H.R. 3948, H.R. 3976, H.R. 4079, H.R. 4203, H.R. 4359, and H.R. 4469 2:00 p.m.; 334 Cannon HOB

FUTURE HOUSE COMMITTEE HEARINGS of INTEREST



March 3, 2010 HVAC Subcommittee on Health Hearing: Legislative Hearing on H.R. 4241, regarding State Veterans Home reimbursement 2:00 p.m.; 340 Cannon HOB

March 4, 2010 House Appropriations Subcommittee on Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies hearing: VA’s budget requests for Fiscal Years 2011 and 2012. Time and Location: TBD.

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 .