Military News: 05 August 2007 - 11 August 2007

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05 August 2007  --  Two days' worth of meetings between U.S. President George W. Bush and Afghanistan's President Hamid Karzai will conclude tomorrow.  The two leaders are meeting at Camp David to discuss security issues related to Afghanistan.  CNN's "Late Edition" aired a taped interview with Karzai, in which the leader noted the key points of his upcoming meetings with Bush: "“(We will discuss) issues of concern to Afghanistan with the construction, with the fight against narcotics, civilian casualties, (and) the strengthening of Afghan security forces."  Civilian casualties, Karzai pointed out, are a result of both terrorist activity and the coalition fight against terrorism; one of his main goals is to discuss how to minimize civilian deaths and to protect the Afghan people from suffering further losses.  Interestingly, Karzai noted the constructive contribution of Iran toward the rebuilding of Afghanistan, calling Iran "a helper and a solution."  This, of course, flies in the face of many of the region's countries, who consider Iran a threat to stability.  In another "Late Edition" interview, Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates expressed his certainty that Iran is "playing both sides of the street" by offering assistance to both the Afghan government and Taliban forces trying to regain power and influence in the region.  When asked about the issue of the growing insurgence of terrorists crossing Pakistan's border, Karzai would only say he intends to address the issue with Pakistani President Perev Musharraf, not President Bush.

06 August 2007  --  Navy divers, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and National Guard personnel are all assisting in the ongoing effort to recover missing persons at the site of the I-35 bridge collapse over the Mississippi River in Minneapolis, MN.  Debris from the collapse are being carefully removed to remove further hazard and to aid in search efforts.  The bridge collapsed during rush hour on August 1, possibly the result of resurfacing work being performed on the bridge at the time.  President Bush signed a bill on Monday, authorizing $250 million for the rebuilding of the bridge. 

07 August 2007  --  In military-related news, VoiceOfAmerica.com (VOA) reported today on the largest counter-terrorism military exercise ever held...by the joined forces of China, Russia, Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan.  The military games are part of a recent summit meeting of members of The Shanghai Cooperation Organization.  The SCO was formed in 2001; its purpose was to be "a consultation group on border security issues."   In recent years the SCO has broadened to include economic and defense-related issues.  According to VOA, "some security and regional analysts" fear the SCO is becoming a counterforce to U.S./Western influence and military actions.  In fact, Russia is urging Iran be made full member of the Organization; Iran now has only "observer status."  However, recent resurgence of Taliban forces in Afghanistan and other perceived threats by Islamic fundamentalist groups in SCO-member countries, have posed enough threat for the time being for certain member-countries like Tajikistan and Uzbekistan to give support for continued U.S. military presence in the region.  And, according to Mark Katz, politics professor at George Mason University, China's goal for greater economic ties with the U.S. will possibly keep the SCO "power broker" from openly accepting a member like Iran, largely seen as the "Bush administration's chief nemesis on the world stage."      Wish to comment on this issue?  Submit your comments on the MyMilitaryYears Forum.  (click here to be taken to the Forum page)

08 August 2007  --  Zalmay Khalilzad has had extensive experience as an ambassador to the United Nations.  Former Ambassador for Iraq and current Ambassador for the U.S., he addressed the U.N. yesterday in order to obtain help rebuilding Iraq.  "The United Nations," he said, "needs to play a bigger role in helping Iraq overcome its internal challenges and succeed."  He was presenting a draft resolution that, if passed, will broaden the role the U.N. is now playing in Iraq and will extend the U.N.'s presence in Iraq for another year.  According to the AFPS, the U.N. secretary and Iraq's Prime Minister both are supportive of this measure.  Khalilzad noted the importance of helping Iraq, as it is a central issue in the future of the entire Middle Eastern region.  The main areas of concern are: putting an end to in-fighting among Iraq's local and tribal interests; increasing cooperation among the states surrounding Iraq; and providing relief and relocation assistance to Iraqi refugees.

09 August 2007  --  Sadr City, a Baghdad neighborhood known for its poverty and strong Shiite affiliation, was the site of a large U.S. raid on Wednesday.  In a Los Angeles Times online article published today by Ned Parker (http://www.latimes.com/news/printedition/asection/la-fg-iraq9aug09,1,4738471.story?page=1&coll=la-news-a_section), details of the raid were discussed.  According to the U.S. military, the raid was targeting a militant Shiite splinter group, believed to be part of cleric Muqtada Sadr's Al Mahdi militia.  Of main concern was the group's alleged connection to Iran and possession of penetrative explosives, frequently used against U.S. armored vehicles in the region and responsible for many casualties over the last month. 

10 August 2007  --  The Department of Defense program America Supports You highlights the efforts of another military outreach program today.  San Jose, CA - based "Operation: Action-Packed!"  now reaches more than 180 members of the U.S. armed forces stationed in Camp Hit, Iraq.  The focus of the program is on care packages tailored to individual service members' requests.  If interested in receiving a care package, a servicemember need only register on the group's website; he/she will then be allowed to post comments and give feedback on living conditions abroad and make special requests for care package items.  Daniella Magnano stated the purpose of Operation: Action-Packed! this way: “We strive to move beyond personal beliefs about politics and war and help our troops know they are cared for and have not been forgotten on a human level...I believe our servicemembers have one of the toughest jobs this nation offers, and they deserve our heartfelt thanks and support.  If Operation: Action Packed! has taught me anything, it’s that each and every action counts and makes a difference.”

11 August 2007  --  In a report released yesterday by the DOD, officials issued recruitment numbers for the month of July.  The recruiting goals for all active-duty units were met.  Most National Guard and Reserve units also met or exceeded their monthly goals.  The Army, as the largest U.S. service branch, also has the largest recruitment system in place.  Army's focus has recently moved more toward working with parents and other "influencers," like teachers, coaches and civic leaders, as a means of reaching even more potential recruits.