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Army Commanders Defect in Yemen

Matt Cantor — Mon, 21 Mar 2011 06:44:00 CDT

Tanks and armored vehicles have been deployed in Yemen’s capital as support for the country's president continues to erode : Three army commanders have defected to the opposition, the AP reports. The officers are members of the president’s tribe, which called for his resignation yesterday. Among them is a top general...

McChrystal Should 'Shut Up'

Nick McMaster — Mon, 05 Oct 2009 16:27:42 CDT

The decisions President Obama will make following his review of Afghanistan policy will be some of the most important of his presidency. The last thing he needs, then, is a rogue general waging a public campaign for the adoption of his preferred strategy. To be sure, Stanley McChrystal deserves enormous...

Military Advice to Obama Should Be Private: Gates

Nick McMaster — Mon, 05 Oct 2009 16:10:37 CDT

Military commanders should give their advice on Afghanistan to President Obama, not to the public, Robert Gates said today. In an implicit reprimand to Gen. Stanley McChrystal, who has commented openly on his low opinion of the administration’s Afghanistan policy, the defense secretary said such advice should be given “candidly...

Gates Launches Cyberwar Military Command

Mary Papenfuss — Wed, 24 Jun 2009 03:07:06 CDT

Defense Secretary Robert Gates launched the military's new cyberspace surveillance command yesterday, with a mission to defend military computers and to orchestrate potential cyber attacks on enemy nations, reports the Los Angeles Times. In the short run, the US Cyber Command will be part of the Strategic Command, which oversees...

Military's New Afghanistan Chief Gets Free Rein

Matt Cantor — Thu, 11 Jun 2009 07:47:21 CDT

With Afghanistan a priority for the administration, officials have given the new US commander there free rein to select his team, the New York Times reports. Gen. Stanley McChrystal’s job “is that important. Afghanistan is the main effort right now,” said the chairman of the Joint Chiefs. McChrystal has already...

US, Russian Commanders Hold First Post-Georgia Talks

Harry Kimball — Tue, 21 Oct 2008 16:14:25 CDT

Ranking US and Russian military commanders met face to face for the first time since the Georgian crisis, the AFP reports. Few details emerged from the Helsinki meeting, but it appeared to be a first step toward a mending of relations. Michael Mullen, chair of the Joint Chiefs of Staff,...