Here we go again!
February 10, 2015
By Audrey Young
New Zealand troops (click here) have been given the go-ahead to begin training for a likely deployment to Iraq.
Defence Minister Gerry Brownlee said the training would take place at Linton and Waiouru.
The work of the 10 military planners assessing a role of New Zealand to fight ISIS in Iraq was not completed, he had agreed to a request by the Chief of Defence Force, Lieutenant General Tim Keating, to begin specific training for what Mr Brownlee called a "Building Partners Capacity" role in Iraq.
"this does not pre-empt any cabinet decisions," Mr Brownlee said "but is prudent given defence officials are close to providing final advice on a possible mission."
Contingency training would cover areas such as force protection, cultural awareness and skills relevant to a possible deployment.
Prime Minister John Key said yesterday that a decision could be as close as the last week in February - which is when Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott is due in New Zealand for scheduled bilateral talks.
New Zealand has been asked by Australia to contribute 100 troops to work alongside Australia to train Iraqi troops to fight ISIS on the ground.
From Afghanistan back to Iraq, watch the bouncing ball play wack-a-mole. When Iraq is decided to be stable enough to leave, we'll be back to Afghanistan. The forever war.
Who's paying for it? How many more have to die to satisfy the USA Congress? Thirteen and a half years and this again.
February 10, 2015
By Deb Reichman
WASHINGTON — President Barack Obama (click here) is expected — as early as Tuesday — to ask Congress for new war powers, sending Capitol Hill his blueprint for an updated authorization for the use of military force to fight the Islamic State group.
Haggling then begins on writing a new authorization to battle the Sunni extremists, who have seized territory in Iraq and neighboring Syria and imposed a violent form of Sharia law.
That will lead to the first war vote in Congress in 13 years — one of the most important votes faced by members of the House and Senate.
To get Congress to approve his request, Obama must find a balance between lawmakers who want wide authority to fight the Islamic State group and others, including members of his own party, who worry that a new authorization to use military force will lead to U.S. entanglement in another protracted war....
The war assessment is STUCK. The beginning of this IS mess, there were 30 thousand fighters. It has been over a half a year and those 30 thousand are still alive and occupying the lands in Syria and Iraq. It is all propaganda.
February 10, 2015
By Audrey Young
New Zealand troops (click here) have been given the go-ahead to begin training for a likely deployment to Iraq.
Defence Minister Gerry Brownlee said the training would take place at Linton and Waiouru.
The work of the 10 military planners assessing a role of New Zealand to fight ISIS in Iraq was not completed, he had agreed to a request by the Chief of Defence Force, Lieutenant General Tim Keating, to begin specific training for what Mr Brownlee called a "Building Partners Capacity" role in Iraq.
"this does not pre-empt any cabinet decisions," Mr Brownlee said "but is prudent given defence officials are close to providing final advice on a possible mission."
Contingency training would cover areas such as force protection, cultural awareness and skills relevant to a possible deployment.
Prime Minister John Key said yesterday that a decision could be as close as the last week in February - which is when Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott is due in New Zealand for scheduled bilateral talks.
New Zealand has been asked by Australia to contribute 100 troops to work alongside Australia to train Iraqi troops to fight ISIS on the ground.
From Afghanistan back to Iraq, watch the bouncing ball play wack-a-mole. When Iraq is decided to be stable enough to leave, we'll be back to Afghanistan. The forever war.
Who's paying for it? How many more have to die to satisfy the USA Congress? Thirteen and a half years and this again.
February 10, 2015
By Deb Reichman
WASHINGTON — President Barack Obama (click here) is expected — as early as Tuesday — to ask Congress for new war powers, sending Capitol Hill his blueprint for an updated authorization for the use of military force to fight the Islamic State group.
Haggling then begins on writing a new authorization to battle the Sunni extremists, who have seized territory in Iraq and neighboring Syria and imposed a violent form of Sharia law.
That will lead to the first war vote in Congress in 13 years — one of the most important votes faced by members of the House and Senate.
To get Congress to approve his request, Obama must find a balance between lawmakers who want wide authority to fight the Islamic State group and others, including members of his own party, who worry that a new authorization to use military force will lead to U.S. entanglement in another protracted war....
The war assessment is STUCK. The beginning of this IS mess, there were 30 thousand fighters. It has been over a half a year and those 30 thousand are still alive and occupying the lands in Syria and Iraq. It is all propaganda.
