Week of 8/16/10 National Security News Summary
Afghanistan:
- On Monday, General Petraeus stated he is against a rapid pullout in Afghanistan as it might “endanger the Afghan mission all together”
- General Petraeus elaborates on a strategy for Afghanistan, explaining an intricate process he describes as “thinning out”
Iraq:
- Suicide bomber kills dozens in attack on Iraqi army recruits early Tuesday morning
- After U.S. military leaves Iraq in 2011, a civilian operation run by the State Department will remain to train Iraqi police
North Korea:
- Despite threats from North Korea, the U.S. and South Korea began computer-simulated war games (which act as military exercises) lasting 11 days
New START:
- The expiration of START in December 2009 left the U.S. with no way of inspecting Russian nuclear bases
- New Afghanistan intelligence leader hopes to build trust and win over the Afghanistan population
Miscellaneous:
- Defense Secretary Robert Gates to retire sometime in 2011. Read this detailed piece from Foreign Policy magazine on his career
- Learn more about the U.S. waging a covert war in the Middle East… Watch the CNN video
Compiled by Tess Strumwasser
CIP Summer 2010 National Security Intern
