Two U.S. warships move closer to Libya through the Suez Canal.  And, in Afghanistan, military uses “sensor pods” to help detect chemicals in IED’s.

Gadhafi Forces Attack Rebel-Held Towns In The East

Paramilitary groups and other forces loyal to Libyan leader Moammar Gadhafi battled for control over a major oil refinery and a massive weapons depot Wednesday in a counter-offensive against the rebel-held eastern half of the country.

Military Sensors Catch The Scent Of Roadside Bombs

In Afghanistan, the American military plays a chess game with the enemy: Insurgents plant deadly roadside bombs — often called improvised explosive devices, or IEDs. The Americans find ways to detect them.

Army’s Big PT Test Changes

For the first time in more than 20 years, the Army is gearing up to change its fitness test for every Soldier. Gone is the simple pushup, sit up, and run routine, and in its place comes a battery of sprints, jumps and rows.

Report: TBI center leadership ‘unfocused’

More than three years after its inception, the Pentagon’s premier entity for addressing the invisible injuries of war continues to be plagued by a lack of direction and mismanagement, according to a report released this week.

Marines Boot Social Media Pioneers From Afghanistan After Facebook Freakout

It started off as an experimental effort to cover the war in the era of social media. But launching a forum where anyone could weigh in about a combat unit’s fight proved to be more than the Marines were willing to handle. The media pioneers have been sent home — largely over some comments left on a Facebook wall.

2 US warships move closer to Libya via Suez Canal

CAIRO (AP) — Two U.S. warships have passed through the Suez Canal on their way to the Mediterranean Sea and closer to Libyan shores after orders from Defense Secretary Robert Gates, Egyptian officials said Wednesday.

US Backs War Crime Tribunal for 1st Time

UNITED NATIONS — The U.N. resolution imposing tough sanctions against Libya marked the first time that the United States has given its support to the International Criminal Court and signified a remarkable turnaround, though it includes a key exemption demanded by the Obama administration.

Will U.S. Follow Withdrawal Deadline In Iraq?

There are still questions about whether some U.S. troops will remain in Iraq beyond the withdrawal deadline set for the end of this year. Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki said in December that there’s no need for a continued U.S. troop presence, but top American commanders are not so sure.

Government overlap costs taxpayers billions, GAO reports

You think the government redundancies President Obama recently griped about were bad? Federal auditors found plenty more.

During his State of the Union address, Obama noted that 12 federal agencies or offices deal with international trade and at least two regulate salmon. Top administration officials are planning to revamp how the government handles trade issues — and may later turn to other programs.

Synthetic marijuana widely used at Naval Academy, some midshipmen say

A synthetic form of marijuana is widely used at the U.S. Naval Academy because it cannot be detected in routine drug tests, according to several former midshipmen who have been removed from campus for using or possessing the substance.

Report Calls for Boosting Tricare Fees

A Washington, D.C., think tank is recommending that Tricare fees drastically increase and that the Pentagon implement means-testing for still-working retirees to bring costs of the DoD-run system under control.