Coming This Week: International Edition!
Congress is in summer recess and everyone else in the U.S. seems to be at the beach, their ranch or preparing for the conventions.
So in lieu of our normal roundup, we're giving you a taste of some of the (very few!) events we found afar.
Monday, Aug. 18Zimbabwean opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai is on a 10-day tour of southern Africa, meeting with leaders across the continent as part of his effort to break the deadlock in talks with President Robert Mugabe.
Tsangirai, who won a thumping victory in March's elections, has been … more…
$100 Billion to Contractors in Iraq
Sometimes a number best tells the story. Especially if the story is simply that the U.S. has dropped a ton of money on contractors in … more…
How Taxpayer Money Is Wrapped Up in Georgian War
Russia's announcement this morning that it will cease its offensive in Georgia has created a potential lull in what was a rapidly … more…
The U.S. Military’s $3.5 Billion Petty Cash Box for Iraq
The idea has natural appeal: Give money to U.S. troops, who with the benefit of daily, direct contact with Iraqis, will spend it where … more…
In Rebuke to Military, Jury Sentences Hamdan to Mostly Time-Served
A day after clearing Salim Hamdan of the most serious charges against him, a military jury today sentenced Hamdan to 66 months. … more…
Pressure Grows to Overturn VA Voter Registration Ban
Democrats in both the House and Senate have introduced legislation to force the Department of Veterans Affairs to overturn a ban on … more…
Report Faults Military for Handling of Sexual Assaults
There are serious problems in the way the Department of Defense is handling sexual assaults, according to a preliminary report (PDF) by … more…
U.S. Military Deaths in Major Wars
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Yesterday, we created a graphic -- based on a Congressional Research Service study -- … more…
Cost of U.S. Wars
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The non-partisan Congressional Research Service last week published a study (PDF) … more…
VA’s Voter Registration Ban Faces More Opposition
The Department of Veterans Affairs’ decision earlier this year to ban all voter registration drives at VA facilities has received growing … more…
VA’s Disjointed Accounting System Likely Misses Out on Billions
The Department of Veterans Affairs covers care connected to military service, but if a veteran has private health insurance that can pay … more…
August 19, 2008
Reporters Fight for Access to Military Court Dockets, Proceedings Scott Albright, Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press, August 19, 2008
GAO Report: Defense Radio Project Not Practical or Affordable Bob Brewin, NextGov, August 19, 2008
Costs Soar for Overhaul of National Guard Training AP, August 19, 2008
Iraqis Buy Billions in U.S. Arms Charles Levinson, USA Today, August 19, 2008
U.S. Tightens Rules for Security Contractors in Iraq August Cole, Wall Street Journal ($), August 19, 2008
August 18, 2008
Army Leaders Defend Supervision of Soldier Care Unit Gregg Zoroya, USA Today, August 18, 2008
Ex-Marine Decries Prosecution in Civilian Court Chelsea J. Carter, AP, August 18, 2008
Deployments Are a Factor in Army’s Deficit of Majors Ann Scott Tyson, Washington Post, August 18, 2008
Soldiers: Mold Infests Okla. Barracks for Wounded Gregg Zoroya, USA Today, August 18, 2008
Gitmo Hearing Highlights Psychologists’ Role in Abuse at Bagram Jennifer Turner, Daily Kos, August 18, 2008