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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) Petraeus says US took needed risk in Afghanistan

The general commanding the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan said Tuesday the military took a calculated risk when it warned people in the Afghan city of Marjah of a major offensive designed to clear the area of insurgents. Army Gen. David Petraeus said the main reason was to reduce civilian casualties.

2) Troops to have voice in DADT review

The views of the troops will be an integral part of the nearly year-long review of the ramifications of open military service by gay servicemembers, according to the parameters of the study released Tuesday by the Pentagon. Defense Robert Gates said the views of a wide range of age, rank and warfare communities, as well as family members, “is a critical aspect that will undoubtedly lead to insights and recommendations essential to the department’s implementation of any change.”

3) Army sees sharp rise in soldiers unavailable for combat

The percentage of soldiers who are unavailable for combat has risen sharply during the past three years from 11 percent of each brigade in 2007 to 16 percent this year, Army records show. Repeated deployments and health problems have driven much of the increase in soldiers listed as non-deployable, said Gen. Peter Chiarelli, the Army vice chief of staff.

AFGHANISTAN

The Afghan government has banned live media coverage of militant assaults in the country saying that broadcasts could help militants during attacks. The ban comes days after Taliban militants killed 17 people in a deadly suicide attack in Kabul.

An Afghan intelligence official said Tuesday that the Pakistani militant group Lashkar-i-Taiba orchestrated the deadly attack that targeted two guesthouses in the capital last week.

IRAQ

U.S. commanders say they are unsure about who is responsible for the persistent violence in Iraq, underscoring the challenge they face trying to keep a lid on it amid parliamentary elections this weekend.

Even with Iraqi security forces on a heightened state of alert in advance of Sunday’s national elections, dozens of Iraqis were killed on Wednesday in a devastating series of suicide bombings in the restive city of Baquba northeast of Baghdad.

Defense giant KBR Inc. was awarded a contract potentially worth $2.8 billion for support work in Iraq as U.S. forces continue to leave the country, military authorities said Tuesday.

MILITARY AFFAIRS

An abrupt sixfold increase in the number of military spouses enrolling in the My Career Advancement Account program caused the sudden halt of the program Feb. 16, according to a defense official.

America's Army, an online combat game developed by the Pentagon, has helped boost military recruitment. The game's technology is not all that different from the tools used in today's war zones to guide unmanned drones and perform other tasks.

Hundreds of U.S. Marines landed on the remote island of Iwo Jima on Tuesday to prepare for the 65th anniversary of one of World War II's bloodiest and most iconic battles.

INSIDE WASHINGTON

The military will have to do its part when Washington makes decisions on how to reduce the nation’s growing budget deficits, the Gen. Donald Hoffman, commander of the Air Force Materiel Command said.

Several military experts and scholars are urging lawmakers to make up their own minds on repealing “don’t ask, don’t tell,” rather than deferring to the service chiefs.

CONGRESSIONAL SCHEDULE

THE SENATE

The Senate will convene at 9:30 a.m.

SENATE FLOOR ACTIVITY of INTEREST

No issues today

COMMITTEE HEARINGS of INTEREST

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

FUTURE COMMITTEE HEARINGS of INTEREST

March 24, 2010 SVAC Oversight Hearing: VA's Plan for Ending Homelessness among Veterans 9:30 a.m.

THE HOUSE of REPRESENTATIVES 



The House convenes at 10:00 a.m.

HOUSE FLOOR ACTIVITY of INTEREST

No issues today

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

FUTURE HOUSE COMMITTEE HEARINGS of INTEREST 



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. 10:00 a.m.; 2359 Rayburn.

March 10, 2010 Full House Veterans' Affairs Committee Hearing: Structuring the VA of the 21st Century 10:00 a.m.; 334 Cannon HOB

March 18, 2010 Full House Veterans' Affairs Hearing: Claims Summit 2010 2:00 p.m.; 345 Cannon

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 .