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 [1] or subscribe to receive the brief in your inbox each morning at www.iava.org/dailynewsbrief [2].
MUST READS
1) Claims Backlog A Top Priority for Shinseki [3]
Veterans Affairs Secretary Eric Shinseki said he's making it a top priority this year to tackle the backlog of disability claims that has veterans waiting months - even years - to get financial compensation for their injuries. Shinseki said he's looking ahead to make sure Iraq and Afghanistan veterans with post-traumatic stress disorder and traumatic brain injuries don't have problems getting financial compensation. Read more about the "Red Tape" obstacles facing veterans in IAVA’s latest issue report [4].
2) For women veterans, battles go on at home [5]
With over 200-thousand female service members deployed, CBS News reports on the battles these female warriors face after they return home. Among those featured in the segment are IAVA Executive Director Paul Rieckhoff and Angela Peacock, a veteran of the Iraq war who was discharged from the Army for health reasons and became homeless.
3) Petraeus: Marjah first salvo in long campaign [6]
The U.S. general who oversees wars in Afghanistan and Iraq says the current battle around the southern Afghan town of Marjah is the opening battle in a long campaign. Gen. David Petraeus says the campaign probably will last 12 months to 18 months and is part of the revised U.S. strategy for fighting insurgents in Afghanistan.
AFGHANISTAN
A NATO airstrike on Sunday against what international troops believed to be a group of insurgents ended up killing 27 civilians [7] in the worst episode involving noncombatant deaths in six months, Afghan officials said on Monday.
The Dutch government’s leading centrist party coalition collapsed, making it the first European and Nato administration to fall because of the war in Afghanistan and meaning the nation’s 2,000 troops will pull out of Afghanistan [8] starting in August.
IRAQ
The death of former Marine Sgt. Klayton Thomas is being attributed to exposure to burn pits in Iraq. Thomas did not smoke and rarely drank, but died three months after being diagnosed [9] with unstoppable lung cancer that spread to his brain.
The U.S. military says two Army helicopter pilots have been killed in an accident on a base [10] in northern Iraq. The military said in a statement that there were no "enemy forces" present and no hostile fire reported.
A leading Sunni party announced Saturday that it will boycott Iraq's upcoming elections [11] because its leader was barred from participating, casting into doubt the inclusiveness of the March vote.
MILITARY AFFAIRS
School administrators cite a growing effort among business schools to lure ex-military members [12] into M.B.A. programs, where they are prized for their leadership skills and ability to bring an alternate perspective to the classroom.
The musical group 4Troops is about to begin its tour [13] of military bases around the U.S. in advance of its album release. The proceeds will go to veterans' groups such as the Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America. The album can be pre-ordered here [14].
The Air Force has begun to scale down its operations in Haiti but has no timetable for how much longer airmen will remain [15], according to the officer in charge of operations in the country.
INSIDE WASHINGTON
Retired Army Gen. Alexander Haig, who held influential positions [16] in the U.S. military and government and who as White House chief of staff shepherded Richard M. Nixon toward peacefully resigning the presidency, died Saturday.
Lawmakers this week will press [17] the military's top uniformed officers for the first time on whether they think repealing "don't ask, don't tell" makes sense or would be too disruptive.
CONGRESSIONAL SCHEDULE
THE SENATE
The Senate will convene at 2:00 p.m.
SENATE FLOOR ACTIVITY of INTEREST
No issues today
COMMITTEE HEARINGS of INTEREST
No issues today
THE HOUSE of REPRESENTATIVES
The House convenes at 2:00 p.m.
HOUSE FLOOR ACTIVITY of INTEREST
No issues today
HOUSE COMMITTEE HEARINGS of INTEREST
No issues today
FUTURE HOUSE COMMITTEE HEARINGS of INTEREST
February 24, 2010 House Veterans' Affairs will hold a hearing entitled, "Exploring the Relationship between Medication and Veteran Suicide." 10:00 a.m.; Cannon 334
February 24, 2010 House Veterans' Affairs Subcommittee on Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs Hearing will hold a hearing entitled, " Examination of the VA Benefits Delivery at Discharge and Quick Start Programs." 2:00 p.m.; Cannon 334
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 .
Links:
[1] http://www.twitter.com/iavapressroom
[2] http://www.iava.org/dailynewsbrief
[3] http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/02/22/AR2010022200345_2.html
[4] http://media.iava.org/reports/redtape_2010.pdf
[5] http://iava.org/press-room/press-coverage/cbs-iava-highlights-challenges-facing-female-veterans
[6] http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/02/21/AR2010022101422.html
[7] http://www.nytimes.com/2010/02/23/world/asia/23afghan.html?ref=global-home
[8] http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2010/feb/21/dutch-government-falls-over-afghanistan
[9] http://omaha.com/article/20100221/NEWS01/702219907
[10] http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/35507893/ns/world_news-mideastn_africa/
[11] http://www.tampabay.com/incoming/sunni-party-threatens-to-boycott-elections-in-iraq/1074828
[12] http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748703444804575071231319849408.html?KEYWORDS=Business School
[13] http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=123892521
[14] http://www.amazon.com/4Troops/dp/B0035LF73Q/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=music&qid=1264431041&sr=1-1
[15] http://militarytimes.com/news/2010/02/airforce_haiti_021910w/
[16] http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/02/20/AR2010022001270.html
[17] http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/U/US_MILITARY_GAYS?SITE=WNYC&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT