Mullen arrives in Bahrain as protests continue. And, new review calls for fewer Marines but with greater capabilities.

Mullen arrives in Bahrain as protests continue

MANAMA, Bahrain — With thousands of anti-government protestors still on the streets of Manama, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Adm. Mike Mullen arrived in Bahrain on Thursday, aiming to reassure an old American ally and to better understand the intentions of its ruling family.

U.S., Pakistan military chiefs hold secret talks in Oman

MUSCAT, Oman — Several of the most senior leaders of the U.S. military, the Afghanistan War, and the Pakistani armed forces held a daylong secret meeting Wednesday at a secluded luxury beach resort.

Soldiers prep Iraqis, Kurds to work together

COMBINED CHECKPOINT 3, Iraq — Staff Sgt. Robert Patitucci spent his last two deployments to Iraq walking six-hour missions through Baghdad with Iraqis shooting over his head or planting improvised explosive devices trying to blow him up.

No. 2 US Military Officer Cleared of Misconduct

WASHINGTON — The U.S. Marine general considered the leading candidate to become chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, the nation’s highest military post, was investigated and cleared of misconduct involving a young aide, according to results of a Pentagon inquiry released Wednesday.

Review Calls for Fewer Marines but Greater Capabilities

The Marine Corps is planning a “reset,” a top general said Wednesday, shrinking in size but expanding its ability to function as “the tip of the spear” in conflict or crises around the globe.

Gadhafi blames violence on young people, drugs, al Qaeda

Benghazi, Libya (CNN) — Libyan leader Moammar Gadhafi on Thursday blamed the violence in his country on young people, who he said are taking some sort of pills and being exploited by Osama bin Laden.

Vets groups appalled by heckling at Columbia

WASHINGTON – Veterans groups are still seething over news that a wounded Iraq war veteran Anthony Maschek was heckled by fellow Columbia University students during a forum about bringing ROTC back to the school. The former Army staff sergeant was shot 11 times in a firefight in northern Iraq in February 2008, but was hissed and booed last week for his defense of the ROTC program and the military, according to news reports.

General Remembers Her ‘Different’ Military Days

When Wilma Vaught joined the Air Force in 1957 and started her first day of training, she was unsure about a lot of things, even the basics.

Gadhafi Vows to Fight to ‘Last Drop of Blood’

CAIRO — A defiant Moammar Gadhafi vowed to fight to his “last drop of blood” and roared at supporters to strike back against Libyan protesters to defend his embattled regime Tuesday, signaling an escalation of the crackdown that has thrown the capital into scenes of mayhem, wild shooting and bodies in the streets.

Navy Reverses Decision, Discharges Conscientious Objector

Reversing two earlier denials, the U.S Navy has granted conscientious objector status to Michael Izbicki, a Naval Academy graduate most recently stationed at the Naval Submarine School in Groton.

NATO: Afghan attrition remains stubbornly high

BRUSSELS (AP) — Attrition rates in Afghan security forces remain stubbornly high, but there is no shortage of recruits so NATO still expects to meet its goal of having 305,000 Afghan soldiers and policemen by October, a general in the alliance said Wednesday.

Tension between Petraeus, Afghans over airstrike, children

Washington (CNN) — The U.S. military is denying Afghan government accusations that Gen. David Petraeus, the commander of international forces in Afghanistan, callously dismissed concerns of an airstrike burning children in a northwest village.

4 American hostages killed by pirates, US says

NAIROBI, Kenya (AP) — Four Americans taken hostage by Somali pirates off East Africa were shot and killed by their captors Monday, the U.S. military said, marking the first time U.S. citizens have been killed in a wave of pirate attacks plaguing the Gulf of Aden and the Indian Ocean for years.

Mullen finds Middle East leaders anxious about upheaval in the region

ABU DHABI, United Arab Emirates — Adm. Mike Mullen said Persian Gulf leaders have told him they are anxious about uprisings elsewhere in the Middle East and are hoping for peaceful resolution across the region.