Military News Updates: 4/28/10

Top Military news headlines today include coverage of the terror spike in Afghanistan and Pakistan and criticism from the House directed at Veteran Agency for alleged “noncompliance”.

Terror Attacks Spike in Afghanistan, Pakistan

WASHINGTON – An increase in terrorist attacks in Pakistan and Afghanistan triggered a sharp rise in the number of civilians killed or wounded there last year, pushing South Asia past the Middle East as the top terror region in the world, according to figures compiled by a U.S. intelligence agency.

Army Kills 7 insurgents in NW Pakistan

PARACHINAR, Pakistan – Officials say Pakistani security forces have killed seven suspected insurgents in the Orakzai tribal region near Afghanistan.

Infertility, PTSD and Other Consequences of War

PTSD and its effects on U.S. soldiers and their families is a ghastly story with no end. PTSD is, in large part, though, an entirely Pentagon, or American war machine, inflicted wound.

Veteran Agency Draws Criticism from Congress

WASHINGTON – A key House member asked Veterans Affairs Secretary Eric Shinseki to explain an apparent “emerging pattern” of agency noncompliance” with congressional requests for information about veteran suicide and other issues.

More Vets Eligible For Service Dog Benefits

Disabled veterans with sight, hearing and mobility limitations who might benefit from having a service dog at their side are being encouraged by a major veterans service organization to apply for government reimbursement of some dog-related expenses.

A Risky Profession in Afghanistan

KANDAHAR, Afghanistan — There are “press clubs” the world over, from Hong Kong to Sydney, New York to New Delhi — places where journalists can gather, network, maybe grab a drink.

Some are small and convivial, others large and even ostentatious.

But I can’t think of any with armed guards on the roof, and surrounded by concrete blast walls.

Welcome to the Kandahar Press Club.

Ex-Military Leaders Say: Young Adults Too Fat To Fight

More than a quarter of young adults are unable to meet physical requirements to join the military, creating a potential threat to national security, a group of retired armed forces leaders said Tuesday.

Battle For Kandahar Could be the Bloodiest Yet

U.S. and NATO troops face a much more formidable task in securing Kandahar, the birthplace of the Taliban and the area from which Al Qaeda planned the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks.