Syrian activist group claims that the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (Isil) have begun minting their own “Islamic dinar” coins. Pictures posted on social media showed a series of gold sovereigns bearing Isil inscriptions, and with a reported value of one gold dinar being with $139 (£89).
Military Meets Recruiting Goal – First Time In 35 Years
For the first time in more than 35 years, the U.S. military has met all of its annual recruiting goals, as hundreds of thousands of young people have enlisted despite the near-certainty that they will go to war. The Pentagon, which made the announcement Tuesday, said the economic downturn and rising joblessness, as well as bonuses and other factors, had led more qualified youths to enlist.
Is Terrorism A Diminishing Threat?
Najibullah Zazi after his arrest in a terrorism investigation
Eight years after 9/11, the specter of terrorism still haunts the United States. Just last week, F.B.I. agents were working double time to unravel the alarming case of a Denver airport shuttle driver accused of training with explosives in Pakistan and buying bomb-making chemicals. In Dallas, a young Jordanian was charged with trying to blow up a skyscraper; in Springfield, Ill., a prison parolee was arrested for trying to attack the local federal building. Meanwhile, the Obama administration struggled to decide whether sending many more troops to Afghanistan would be the best way to forestall a future attack.
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Social Media As A Recruitment Strategy For The U.S. Army
Social media as a recruitment strategy
The U.S. Army wants you – to be its friend on Facebook.
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Pigs Used By Military In Blasts To Test Body Armor
Military used pigs in blasts to test armor
Military researchers have dressed live pigs in body armor and strapped them into Humvee simulators that were then blown up with explosives to study the link between roadside bomb blasts and brain injury.
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Missing Iraq Billions
Even during the heat of war there are people who want to take advantage of the confusion to make a profit
The US Special Inspector General for Iraq Reconstruction (SIGIR), the Army’s criminal Investigation Command and the Justice Department are investigating US soldiers and officials in the alleged misuse of a portion of the $125 billion initially sent to Iraq for reconstruction shortly after the fall of Saddam. Continue reading… “Missing Iraq Billions”
Special Forces Fireproof Glove System
Before you ask “why would I need fireproof gloves?” it’s just one feature of this glove system from Outdoor Research that’s in use right now by the military in Iraq, including special forces chaps.
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Helmet Patch To Measure Soldier’s Exposure To Explosions
The Palo Alto Research Center is using ink-jet printing technology to develop a disposable patch that can be worn on a soldier’s helmet for seven days to measure his or her exposure to blasts.
Researchers are developing a cheap, lightweight plastic strip that can be worn on a soldier’s helmet to help diagnose brain injury.
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Bailout Provides Broader Mental Health Coverage
Representative Patrick J. Kennedy speaking at a rally in March on Capitol Hill. Mr. Kennedy
and Representative Jim Ramstad, third from left, led the fight in the House for mental health parity.
More than one-third of all Americans will soon receive better insurance coverage for mental health treatments because of a new law that, for the first time, requires equal coverage of mental and physical illnesses.
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Female Suicide Bombers Become Latest War Tactic
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FHzDG7E9GjM[/youtube]
In this chilling security camera footage, a female suicide bomber
is seen patiently answering questions in a bustling government office
before calmly standing up and detonating the bomb hidden in her bra.
Since the 2003 invasion, 53 Iraqi women have either carried out suicide attacks or were apprehended before they could do so, according to the U.S. military. The attacks have killed more than 370 people and injured 650. This year, there have been 31 female bombers, including 17 in Diyala province, northeast of Baghdad. The youngest bomber was 13, according to U.S. military statistics.
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Brain Cells Linked To Fear Identified
Brain cell
Scientists in the United States have identified brain cells linked to fear, paving the way for a more effective treatment of post-traumatic stress and other anxiety disorders.
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Iraqi TV Debate: Is the Earth Flat?
When it was announced that a war was coming, Iraq went through a major brain drain as the best and the brightest chose to leave the country. They will only return when it’s safe to come home. As a result, these are the type of people making decisions in their country.
I don’t believe many countries would have given airtime to this argument, but its fascinating to see how they twist the facts to fit their understanding of the world.
Continue reading… “Iraqi TV Debate: Is the Earth Flat?”