By Donna Miles
American Forces Press Service
July 6, 2007 – One of the biggest challenges facing the United States in Asia is keeping the region's leaders focused on the terrorist threat, a recently retired senior defense official told reporters here today. That's particularly important among nations that don't see themselves as terrorist targets, said Richard Lawless, who retired last week after almost five years as deputy assistant secretary for Asian and Pacific affairs.
"If we don't keep people's attitudes and eyes focused on the threat, they tend to drift away to other subjects," he said. "And keeping people focused on that issue has been very tough."
Lawless acknowledged that some Asian-Pacific countries "are just simply not impacted by terrorism." Others have gone so long since experiencing a terrorist attack within their borders that they have shifted their attention elsewhere.
As counterintuitive as this may seem -- particularly in light of recent terrorist incidents in the United Kingdom that showed that terrorists are alive and well and busily planning attacks -- some countries simply aren't focused on the terrorist threat, Lawless said.
This phenomenon "speaks volumes" about international efforts to contain terrorist incidents, he said. But it also presents challenges.
Many countries don't recognize just how big the U.S. commitment to fighting terrorism is or how much that commitment demands, he said. "I don't think the scale of our commitment to the international war on terrorism is necessarily appreciated or understood by a lot of the countries in the region which have no threats, at least immediately, upon them that they can discern," Lawless said.
"And (so) ... we have to explain that we are hugely committed and have to commit our resources and our troops and our national wealth to this fight," he said. "It's something we have to keep reminding them about."
Lawless noted several major exceptions, including Singapore. Singaporeans "are hugely focused on the terrorism threat and devote a lot of time and a lot of attention and a lot of thought to managing that and managing it very aggressively," he said.
Similarly, U.S. alliances with Australia, Japan and Korea have resulted in big commitments from them in the global war on terror, including operations in Iraq and Afghanistan, he said.
"We are very happy and pleased that they have stepped up and made those contributions," he said. "All three alliances ... are stronger because of their willingness to engage globally."
Showing posts with label war on terrorism. Show all posts
Showing posts with label war on terrorism. Show all posts
Friday, July 06, 2007
Monday, June 25, 2007
Vice Chairman Meets with Troops at Bagram
By Tech. Sgt. Adam M. Stump, USAF
Special to American Forces Press Service
June 24, 2007 – U.S. troops have played a critical role in advancements made in Afghanistan over the past few years, and the Defense Department is working to increase the number of personnel in some services to better handle challenges posed by the war on terrorism, the vice chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff told servicemembers here yesterday. "It's pretty darn impressive what you all do every single day, and I've seen remarkable changes here in Afghanistan in almost six years since I started coming here," Navy Adm. Edmund P. Giambastiani said during a dinner with troops. The admiral has been visiting deployed servicemembers in Iraq and Afghanistan over the past few days.
Giambastiani said he made his first trip to Afghanistan on Dec. 7, 2001. The Taliban had been pushed out of Kabul and here just 10 days earlier. At the time, the admiral was serving as senior military assistant to former Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld. He accompanied Rumsfeld to Bagram during the first daylight C-17 flight here to meet with Hamid Karzai, then a tribal leader and now the president of Afghanistan.
At the time, most of Bagram had been destroyed. Now, the base is thriving, along with the local area, the admiral said.
Hard work in Afghanistan is being accomplished by all the services, but "the Army, of all the services, is stressed the most," the admiral said. He added the goal is to get Army soldiers on a more comfortable rotation of time deployed versus time at home, and to do that, the Army has to get bigger.
"That's why we're putting additional people in the Army," Giambastiani said. "That's why we're building more brigade combat teams. That's why we're building more support brigades."
The admiral said the Army will go up to 48 active brigade combat teams in about four years. He said the Army had 32 a few years ago and is at 39 right now. To do this, the admiral said the Army will have to bring in an additional 7,000 soldiers each year to increase the number of people by 62,000. The National Guard is also in the process of rearranging brigade combat teams to have a final count of 34.
The increase in brigade combat teams was an important part of the admiral's message, said U.S. Army Spec. Chris Mignacchi, an intelligence analyst here. He said the increase is important to him because he looks forward to spending more time at home with family.
Giambastiani said the Marine Corps will also receive a substantial increase in numbers, going from 174,000 to 202,000 over the next few years. The Marines will need to bring in an additional 5,000 people each year to make that goal, he said.
Part of the reason for the increase is the different force structure that has evolved over the past few decades. The admiral said when he first came in the service, about 70 percent of the force was unmarried. Today, that number is now around 30 percent.
"It's important for us to make sure we keep you in a rotation that allows you to spend time with your family, upgrade your skills, get promoted, get training, and the rest of it, while at the same time we have you out doing the Nation's business if it's in Afghanistan or Iraq or somewhere else," he said.
Part of the Nation's business right now is manning and running provincial reconstruction teams, which are playing a major role in transforming the culture of the Afghan people through building schools, getting running water to people, and helping the people with other quality of life improvements.
"I think provincial reconstruction teams are going to be around for a while," Giambastiani said. "The concept started here in Afghanistan and has worked so well that we brought it over to Iraq."
PRTs play a major role in the life of Petty Officer 2nd Class Jorge Martinez, who works as a liaison officer for a team. He said he thinks the teams are important because they're transforming life for Afghan children, who are getting more access to education. Martinez, who has a school-age nephew in the U.S., said it is gratifying work to help children have a more promising future.
While the military has a large role in PRTs, Giambastiani said the workload is going to have to be shared.
"Regarding the PRTs, I believe we'll transition to more and more civilians manning them," he said.
The admiral said during the 1960s, the U.S. had around 18,000 government employees who worked for the United States Agency for International Development, which employed people with specialties like agriculture and economic development to aid foreign countries. Today, that organization has about 2,000 people. He said the U.S. needs to increase the number of employees and keep that capability built up.
"We're only going to win at every one of these locations by working with the populace and bringing them over to understanding that these other people are either trying to intimidate them, kill them or change their way of life to what the Taliban and Al Qaeda want to do as opposed to what the people want to do," the admiral said.
(Air Force Tech. Sgt. Adam M. Stump is assigned to the Joint Staff public affairs office.)
Special to American Forces Press Service
June 24, 2007 – U.S. troops have played a critical role in advancements made in Afghanistan over the past few years, and the Defense Department is working to increase the number of personnel in some services to better handle challenges posed by the war on terrorism, the vice chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff told servicemembers here yesterday. "It's pretty darn impressive what you all do every single day, and I've seen remarkable changes here in Afghanistan in almost six years since I started coming here," Navy Adm. Edmund P. Giambastiani said during a dinner with troops. The admiral has been visiting deployed servicemembers in Iraq and Afghanistan over the past few days.
Giambastiani said he made his first trip to Afghanistan on Dec. 7, 2001. The Taliban had been pushed out of Kabul and here just 10 days earlier. At the time, the admiral was serving as senior military assistant to former Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld. He accompanied Rumsfeld to Bagram during the first daylight C-17 flight here to meet with Hamid Karzai, then a tribal leader and now the president of Afghanistan.
At the time, most of Bagram had been destroyed. Now, the base is thriving, along with the local area, the admiral said.
Hard work in Afghanistan is being accomplished by all the services, but "the Army, of all the services, is stressed the most," the admiral said. He added the goal is to get Army soldiers on a more comfortable rotation of time deployed versus time at home, and to do that, the Army has to get bigger.
"That's why we're putting additional people in the Army," Giambastiani said. "That's why we're building more brigade combat teams. That's why we're building more support brigades."
The admiral said the Army will go up to 48 active brigade combat teams in about four years. He said the Army had 32 a few years ago and is at 39 right now. To do this, the admiral said the Army will have to bring in an additional 7,000 soldiers each year to increase the number of people by 62,000. The National Guard is also in the process of rearranging brigade combat teams to have a final count of 34.
The increase in brigade combat teams was an important part of the admiral's message, said U.S. Army Spec. Chris Mignacchi, an intelligence analyst here. He said the increase is important to him because he looks forward to spending more time at home with family.
Giambastiani said the Marine Corps will also receive a substantial increase in numbers, going from 174,000 to 202,000 over the next few years. The Marines will need to bring in an additional 5,000 people each year to make that goal, he said.
Part of the reason for the increase is the different force structure that has evolved over the past few decades. The admiral said when he first came in the service, about 70 percent of the force was unmarried. Today, that number is now around 30 percent.
"It's important for us to make sure we keep you in a rotation that allows you to spend time with your family, upgrade your skills, get promoted, get training, and the rest of it, while at the same time we have you out doing the Nation's business if it's in Afghanistan or Iraq or somewhere else," he said.
Part of the Nation's business right now is manning and running provincial reconstruction teams, which are playing a major role in transforming the culture of the Afghan people through building schools, getting running water to people, and helping the people with other quality of life improvements.
"I think provincial reconstruction teams are going to be around for a while," Giambastiani said. "The concept started here in Afghanistan and has worked so well that we brought it over to Iraq."
PRTs play a major role in the life of Petty Officer 2nd Class Jorge Martinez, who works as a liaison officer for a team. He said he thinks the teams are important because they're transforming life for Afghan children, who are getting more access to education. Martinez, who has a school-age nephew in the U.S., said it is gratifying work to help children have a more promising future.
While the military has a large role in PRTs, Giambastiani said the workload is going to have to be shared.
"Regarding the PRTs, I believe we'll transition to more and more civilians manning them," he said.
The admiral said during the 1960s, the U.S. had around 18,000 government employees who worked for the United States Agency for International Development, which employed people with specialties like agriculture and economic development to aid foreign countries. Today, that organization has about 2,000 people. He said the U.S. needs to increase the number of employees and keep that capability built up.
"We're only going to win at every one of these locations by working with the populace and bringing them over to understanding that these other people are either trying to intimidate them, kill them or change their way of life to what the Taliban and Al Qaeda want to do as opposed to what the people want to do," the admiral said.
(Air Force Tech. Sgt. Adam M. Stump is assigned to the Joint Staff public affairs office.)
Friday, June 08, 2007
Iraq, Afghanistan Remain 'Main Effort' in Terror War, Lute Says
By Jim Garamone
American Forces Press Service
June 7, 2007 – The conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan represent the "main effort" in the war on terrorism, a general nominated as a top administration official said today. Army Lt. Gen. Douglas E. Lute spoke before the Senate Armed Services Committee as part of the confirmation process to be assistant to the president and deputy national security advisor for Iraq and Afghanistan. The position is a new one, and the press has reduced the title to "war czar." Lute is currently the Joint Staff's operations director.
Lute said the greater Middle East and Central Asia regions will not succeed if Iraq and Afghanistan do not succeed.
"The stakes for these two countries are certainly high, as they are for all the countries in the region," he said in his opening statement before the committee. "But the stakes for the United States are also high."
If confirmed for the new position, Lute would report directly to President Bush. "I will brief him daily, and I will act on his instructions in fulfilling my duties," Lute said. "I will work closely with National Security Advisor Steve Hadley to clarify priorities, establish milestones, provide follow-through and set the policy development agenda."
The president officially nominated Lute to the new position May 15. Lute has met with members of Congress since then to discuss the nomination and legislators' concerns. He said all people he has spoken with are concerned for the well-being and safety of U.S. personnel serving in Iraq and Afghanistan.
The new position is designed to advise the president on how to provide U.S. personnel with increased, focused, full-time support in Washington. "It will do so in two ways: by executing policy decisions comprehensively and by developing policy adaptations for use on the ground," Lute said.
He said the status quo, especially in Iraq, is not acceptable. "To change this, we are in the midst of executing a shift in course as announced by the president in January," he said.
Early results for the Baghdad security plan are mixed, Lute said. Iraq is a complicated area, and fixing a problem in one place may uncover others somewhere else. "But one factor remains constant: the dedication and sacrifice of our men and women, military and civilian, serving in these combat zones," he said. "They are a continuing inspiration to me and to my family."
Article sponsored by criminal justice online leadership; and, police and military personnel who have authored books.
American Forces Press Service
June 7, 2007 – The conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan represent the "main effort" in the war on terrorism, a general nominated as a top administration official said today. Army Lt. Gen. Douglas E. Lute spoke before the Senate Armed Services Committee as part of the confirmation process to be assistant to the president and deputy national security advisor for Iraq and Afghanistan. The position is a new one, and the press has reduced the title to "war czar." Lute is currently the Joint Staff's operations director.
Lute said the greater Middle East and Central Asia regions will not succeed if Iraq and Afghanistan do not succeed.
"The stakes for these two countries are certainly high, as they are for all the countries in the region," he said in his opening statement before the committee. "But the stakes for the United States are also high."
If confirmed for the new position, Lute would report directly to President Bush. "I will brief him daily, and I will act on his instructions in fulfilling my duties," Lute said. "I will work closely with National Security Advisor Steve Hadley to clarify priorities, establish milestones, provide follow-through and set the policy development agenda."
The president officially nominated Lute to the new position May 15. Lute has met with members of Congress since then to discuss the nomination and legislators' concerns. He said all people he has spoken with are concerned for the well-being and safety of U.S. personnel serving in Iraq and Afghanistan.
The new position is designed to advise the president on how to provide U.S. personnel with increased, focused, full-time support in Washington. "It will do so in two ways: by executing policy decisions comprehensively and by developing policy adaptations for use on the ground," Lute said.
He said the status quo, especially in Iraq, is not acceptable. "To change this, we are in the midst of executing a shift in course as announced by the president in January," he said.
Early results for the Baghdad security plan are mixed, Lute said. Iraq is a complicated area, and fixing a problem in one place may uncover others somewhere else. "But one factor remains constant: the dedication and sacrifice of our men and women, military and civilian, serving in these combat zones," he said. "They are a continuing inspiration to me and to my family."
Article sponsored by criminal justice online leadership; and, police and military personnel who have authored books.
Sunday, May 27, 2007
Top Intel Official Explains Pentagon's New Vision
By John J. Kruzel
American Forces Press Service
May 25, 2007 – Delivering practical intelligence as fast as possible to servicemembers is the Defense Department's "preeminent imperative," the department's top intelligence official said yesterday. "The thing that's uppermost is providing ... the intelligence required for our magnificent troops in harm's way in Afghanistan, Iraq and other places around the world where we have troops at risk," said James R. Clapper, undersecretary of defense for intelligence.
Clapper, who was "dual-hatted" as director of defense intelligence yesterday, will help coordinate the seamless flow of intelligence between the Defense Department and the Office of the Director of National Intelligence.
"The dual-hatting as the undersecretary of defense for intelligence within the department, and as the director of defense intelligence on behalf of the (director of national intelligence), serves to clarify and crystallize those roles," he said.
For the roughly 20 months remaining in the current administration, Clapper said the intelligence alignment presents "a short window, but a great opportunity to get things done," citing his longstanding association with retired Navy Vice Adm. John M. "Mike" McConnell, director of national intelligence, and Air Force Gen. Michael Hayden, director of the Central Intelligence Agency.
"For intelligence, it's really a golden opportunity given the assembly of the leaders with Mike McConnell, who's a professional colleague and close personal friend for 20 years, ... Mike Hayden as director of the CIA, and myself, who have all been associated closely over the past 10 or 20 years," Clapper said. He also noted that his boss at the Pentagon, Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates, is a former director of central intelligence.
Clapper said it's important for intelligence officials to make public the "maximum amount of information" available, with due concern for protecting methods and sources.
"Particularly now, it is incumbent on the intelligence community to make available as much information as we possibly can ... so that the public knows what we're up against," he said.
Keeping Congress and the public abreast of available intelligence is one of several initiatives Clapper plans to spearhead during his time in his newly created position.
"I view the two years as an opportunity to impel a sense of urgency to get things done in the time remaining that I would have in the administration," Clapper said. "I don't view it as checking off a 'short-timer calendar' but rather the time we have remaining to get some things done."
Improving the defense community's methods of intelligence gathering and recruiting are other long-term goals.
Clapper has focused on human intelligence, or "HUMINT" -- a discipline that encompasses all gathering of intelligence by means of interpersonal contact -- for nearly 15 years, earning him the nickname, 'Godfather of HUMINT.'
"There's been a sea change -- all to the good -- of HUMINT capabilities," he said. "I think a lot has been done here ... on bringing to bear the full resources of the department and in working with the other components of the government who have HUMINT equities."
The challenge, Clapper said, is to synthesize the various elements of intelligence - human intelligence, communication, electronic, imagery, geospatial, financial and other methods - which "all contribute to the war on terrorism."
Clapper emphasized the need to widen the pool of intelligence recruits, establishing an applicant base with greater cultural and linguistic depth.
"It's vital that we have the understanding and the insight of the cultures overseas," he said. "It's always been a challenge for intelligence but now it's even more critical."
Article sponsored by criminal justice online leadership; and, police and military personnel who have authored books.
American Forces Press Service
May 25, 2007 – Delivering practical intelligence as fast as possible to servicemembers is the Defense Department's "preeminent imperative," the department's top intelligence official said yesterday. "The thing that's uppermost is providing ... the intelligence required for our magnificent troops in harm's way in Afghanistan, Iraq and other places around the world where we have troops at risk," said James R. Clapper, undersecretary of defense for intelligence.
Clapper, who was "dual-hatted" as director of defense intelligence yesterday, will help coordinate the seamless flow of intelligence between the Defense Department and the Office of the Director of National Intelligence.
"The dual-hatting as the undersecretary of defense for intelligence within the department, and as the director of defense intelligence on behalf of the (director of national intelligence), serves to clarify and crystallize those roles," he said.
For the roughly 20 months remaining in the current administration, Clapper said the intelligence alignment presents "a short window, but a great opportunity to get things done," citing his longstanding association with retired Navy Vice Adm. John M. "Mike" McConnell, director of national intelligence, and Air Force Gen. Michael Hayden, director of the Central Intelligence Agency.
"For intelligence, it's really a golden opportunity given the assembly of the leaders with Mike McConnell, who's a professional colleague and close personal friend for 20 years, ... Mike Hayden as director of the CIA, and myself, who have all been associated closely over the past 10 or 20 years," Clapper said. He also noted that his boss at the Pentagon, Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates, is a former director of central intelligence.
Clapper said it's important for intelligence officials to make public the "maximum amount of information" available, with due concern for protecting methods and sources.
"Particularly now, it is incumbent on the intelligence community to make available as much information as we possibly can ... so that the public knows what we're up against," he said.
Keeping Congress and the public abreast of available intelligence is one of several initiatives Clapper plans to spearhead during his time in his newly created position.
"I view the two years as an opportunity to impel a sense of urgency to get things done in the time remaining that I would have in the administration," Clapper said. "I don't view it as checking off a 'short-timer calendar' but rather the time we have remaining to get some things done."
Improving the defense community's methods of intelligence gathering and recruiting are other long-term goals.
Clapper has focused on human intelligence, or "HUMINT" -- a discipline that encompasses all gathering of intelligence by means of interpersonal contact -- for nearly 15 years, earning him the nickname, 'Godfather of HUMINT.'
"There's been a sea change -- all to the good -- of HUMINT capabilities," he said. "I think a lot has been done here ... on bringing to bear the full resources of the department and in working with the other components of the government who have HUMINT equities."
The challenge, Clapper said, is to synthesize the various elements of intelligence - human intelligence, communication, electronic, imagery, geospatial, financial and other methods - which "all contribute to the war on terrorism."
Clapper emphasized the need to widen the pool of intelligence recruits, establishing an applicant base with greater cultural and linguistic depth.
"It's vital that we have the understanding and the insight of the cultures overseas," he said. "It's always been a challenge for intelligence but now it's even more critical."
Article sponsored by criminal justice online leadership; and, police and military personnel who have authored books.
Monday, March 26, 2007
Terror Suspect Transferred To Guantanamo
The Department of Defense announced today the transfer of a dangerous terror suspect to Guantanamo Bay, Cuba.
Abdul Malik, who was captured as a result of our ongoing conflict against Al Qaida, has admitted to being involved in terrorist attacks in East Africa.
Malik has admitted to participation in the 2002 Paradise Hotel attack in Mombasa, Kenya, in which an explosive-filled SUV was crashed into the hotel lobby, killing 13 and injuring 80. He also has admitted to involvement in the attempted shootdown of an Israeli Boeing 757 civilian airliner carrying 271 passengers, near Mombasa.
The capture of Malik exemplifies the genuine threat that the United States and other countries face throughout the world in the war on terrorism. Due to the significant threat this terror suspect represents, he has been transferred to Guantanamo. The detainees being held at Guantanamo have provided information essential to our ability to understand better how Al Qaeda operates, and thus to prevent future attacks against innocent civilians.
As with all the detainees in Guantanamo, Malik will undergo a combatant status review tribunal, where he will be given the opportunity to review an unclassified summary of the evidence against him and contest his enemy combatant status. The International Committee of the Red Cross will be granted access to this detainee. With today's transfer there are approximately 385 detainees at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba.
This article sponsored by military and police personnel who have written books as well as criminal justice online leadership.
Abdul Malik, who was captured as a result of our ongoing conflict against Al Qaida, has admitted to being involved in terrorist attacks in East Africa.
Malik has admitted to participation in the 2002 Paradise Hotel attack in Mombasa, Kenya, in which an explosive-filled SUV was crashed into the hotel lobby, killing 13 and injuring 80. He also has admitted to involvement in the attempted shootdown of an Israeli Boeing 757 civilian airliner carrying 271 passengers, near Mombasa.
The capture of Malik exemplifies the genuine threat that the United States and other countries face throughout the world in the war on terrorism. Due to the significant threat this terror suspect represents, he has been transferred to Guantanamo. The detainees being held at Guantanamo have provided information essential to our ability to understand better how Al Qaeda operates, and thus to prevent future attacks against innocent civilians.
As with all the detainees in Guantanamo, Malik will undergo a combatant status review tribunal, where he will be given the opportunity to review an unclassified summary of the evidence against him and contest his enemy combatant status. The International Committee of the Red Cross will be granted access to this detainee. With today's transfer there are approximately 385 detainees at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba.
This article sponsored by military and police personnel who have written books as well as criminal justice online leadership.
Monday, February 26, 2007
Iraq Key to Defense of U.S., Bush Tells Governors
By Jim Garamone
American Forces Press Service
Feb. 26, 2007 – If the United States leaves Iraq before the job is done, the enemy will strike in America, President Bush told the National Governors Association at the White House today. Bush told the governors, who are in Washington for their annual meeting, that his main priority is protecting the homeland.
Bush, a former Texas governor, explained his current strategy in the war on terrorism to the governors. "We've got a two-pronged strategy in dealing with (enemies)," he said. "One is to stay on the offense and bring them to justice, and two, spread the conditions necessary to defeat an ideology of hatred."
He said the ideological war against extremists will be a long one. "That's the basis on which I'm making decisions to protect the country," the president said.
Governors are commanders in chief for their states' National Guard units. Bush praised the contributions of Guard units in the war on terror. He also thanked the governors for visiting their troops deployed to hotspots around the world. "It matters to those troops that you take time, as a commander in chief, to thank them," Bush said. "And it matters to their families that people are paying attention to them."
Bush told the governors that Afghanistan and Iraq are the most visible theaters in the struggle against terror. He said he understands that people disagree with his course in Iraq and respects their opinions, but he will continue forward. "The main reason why is because I understand the consequences of failure in Iraq," he said. "If we leave before that country can govern itself and sustain itself and defend itself, there will be chaos. And out of chaos will come vacuums, and out of vacuums will come an emboldened enemy that would like to do us harm."
To protect America, it is important to "get it right" in Iraq, Bush said. "And so I made a decision that I think is more likely to succeed than any of the alternatives that were presented to me," he said.
Bush said that funding for the National Guard in his fiscal 2008 budget request is strong, and he hopes it stays that way. "I know you're concerned about the funding for your troops. So am I," Bush said.
He said people can honestly disagree, and that debate is healthy. "On the other hand, I think it's important for people to understand the consequences of not giving our troops the resources necessary to do the job," he said. "So I'm looking forward to a healthy debate. I'm also looking forward to defending - strongly defending -- the budgets we send up to Congress, to make sure those troops who are in harm's way have the resources ... and our commanders have the flexibility necessary to execute the plan we've laid out."
Sponsors of the article include criminal justice online leadership; and, military and police personnel who have written books.
American Forces Press Service
Feb. 26, 2007 – If the United States leaves Iraq before the job is done, the enemy will strike in America, President Bush told the National Governors Association at the White House today. Bush told the governors, who are in Washington for their annual meeting, that his main priority is protecting the homeland.
Bush, a former Texas governor, explained his current strategy in the war on terrorism to the governors. "We've got a two-pronged strategy in dealing with (enemies)," he said. "One is to stay on the offense and bring them to justice, and two, spread the conditions necessary to defeat an ideology of hatred."
He said the ideological war against extremists will be a long one. "That's the basis on which I'm making decisions to protect the country," the president said.
Governors are commanders in chief for their states' National Guard units. Bush praised the contributions of Guard units in the war on terror. He also thanked the governors for visiting their troops deployed to hotspots around the world. "It matters to those troops that you take time, as a commander in chief, to thank them," Bush said. "And it matters to their families that people are paying attention to them."
Bush told the governors that Afghanistan and Iraq are the most visible theaters in the struggle against terror. He said he understands that people disagree with his course in Iraq and respects their opinions, but he will continue forward. "The main reason why is because I understand the consequences of failure in Iraq," he said. "If we leave before that country can govern itself and sustain itself and defend itself, there will be chaos. And out of chaos will come vacuums, and out of vacuums will come an emboldened enemy that would like to do us harm."
To protect America, it is important to "get it right" in Iraq, Bush said. "And so I made a decision that I think is more likely to succeed than any of the alternatives that were presented to me," he said.
Bush said that funding for the National Guard in his fiscal 2008 budget request is strong, and he hopes it stays that way. "I know you're concerned about the funding for your troops. So am I," Bush said.
He said people can honestly disagree, and that debate is healthy. "On the other hand, I think it's important for people to understand the consequences of not giving our troops the resources necessary to do the job," he said. "So I'm looking forward to a healthy debate. I'm also looking forward to defending - strongly defending -- the budgets we send up to Congress, to make sure those troops who are in harm's way have the resources ... and our commanders have the flexibility necessary to execute the plan we've laid out."
Sponsors of the article include criminal justice online leadership; and, military and police personnel who have written books.
Tuesday, February 06, 2007
War on Terror Costs
By Jim Garamone
American Forces Press Service
Feb. 6, 2007 – The war on terrorism has cost $545 billion to date, the department's top budget official said today. Pentagon Comptroller Tina Jonas told reporters in the Pentagon that Congress has appropriated $452 billion for the war on terrorism via emergency supplemental budget measures. Another $3 billion has been appropriated for Operation Noble Eagle, the mission providing a combat air patrol over the continental United States and security at airports that started after the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, she said.
The comptroller said DoD is asking for another $93.4 billion as part of the emergency supplemental request for 2007.
She projected $141.7 billion in operational expenses in fiscal 2008. This will bring the total for the war on terrorism to about $690 billion.
Jonas also spoke about the $38.8 billion allocated for military health care for fiscal 2008. The budget assumes some change in military health care because health care expenses are rising well above inflation, Jonas said.
In 2006, the administration tried to raise the amount beneficiaries pay for health care. DoD officials said the benefit had to be updated to maintain the quality of care. Under changes suggested then, certain classes of beneficiaries would have to pay more.
Congress did not go along with the request and called for a task force to examine the problem. The 2006 National Defense Authorization Act called for DoD to appoint a 14-member Task Force on the Future of Military Healthcare. DoD announced those selected to serve on the task force on Dec. 22. The task force is scheduled to turn in an interim report to Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates in May. The final report is due in December.
"We are waiting to see what the task force recommends," Jonas said.
Articles sponsored by police and military personnel who have become writers; and, criminal justice online leadership.
American Forces Press Service
Feb. 6, 2007 – The war on terrorism has cost $545 billion to date, the department's top budget official said today. Pentagon Comptroller Tina Jonas told reporters in the Pentagon that Congress has appropriated $452 billion for the war on terrorism via emergency supplemental budget measures. Another $3 billion has been appropriated for Operation Noble Eagle, the mission providing a combat air patrol over the continental United States and security at airports that started after the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, she said.
The comptroller said DoD is asking for another $93.4 billion as part of the emergency supplemental request for 2007.
She projected $141.7 billion in operational expenses in fiscal 2008. This will bring the total for the war on terrorism to about $690 billion.
Jonas also spoke about the $38.8 billion allocated for military health care for fiscal 2008. The budget assumes some change in military health care because health care expenses are rising well above inflation, Jonas said.
In 2006, the administration tried to raise the amount beneficiaries pay for health care. DoD officials said the benefit had to be updated to maintain the quality of care. Under changes suggested then, certain classes of beneficiaries would have to pay more.
Congress did not go along with the request and called for a task force to examine the problem. The 2006 National Defense Authorization Act called for DoD to appoint a 14-member Task Force on the Future of Military Healthcare. DoD announced those selected to serve on the task force on Dec. 22. The task force is scheduled to turn in an interim report to Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates in May. The final report is due in December.
"We are waiting to see what the task force recommends," Jonas said.
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