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“Ashraf Ghani vowed that Afghanistan will ‘execute’ enemies of the state and undertake preparations for an extended war.”

“The U.S. has opened a new line of combat against the Islamic State, directing the military’s six-year-old Cyber Command for the first time to mount computer-network attacks.”

“President Obama will announce the addition of 250 Special Operations troops to the American advisory force in Syria.”

"If this trend of disrespect to the military continues it will undermine the strength of the officer corps to the point where good men and women will forgo service."

Khalilzad says one of the biggest problems facing Afghanistan continues to be its poor relationship with its neighbor, Pakistan.

Russia’s ruse: Obscure outsiders’ understanding of what is taking place, and thereby prevent the US, NATO, or the EU from taking decisive action against Moscow.

Universal to all combatants is utter exhaustion, sleep deprivation and the occasional ability to sleep in the worst of environments when the body said it had to.

This report assesses the campaign against the Islamic State, focusing on the military and political lines of effort.

The Government of Iraq this week formalized its work with the U.S. Institute of Peace to advance reconciliation at all levels.

"Today’s American soldier is by common consent the world’s finest, even history’s finest, but the United States doesn’t win its wars."

We have met the enemy and the enemy is bureaucratic red tape.

"The White House moved to tamp down suggestions that ties with Saudi Arabia are fraying."

Dave Kilcullen’s latest, reviewed by the New York Times.

Above all else, this image is of determination. They will persevere and they will prevail.

“Riyadh has spent tens of billions on new US weaponry. But its intervention in neighbouring Yemen has not gone smoothly.”

“The (US) increase is the latest indication that preparations for Mosul are ramping up, and that US troops will play a significant supporting role in the coming campaign.”

“Russian President Putin's special envoy to Afghanistan, Zamir Kabulov, told the Interfax news agency recently that ‘the Taliban interest objectively coincides with ours.’”

Our foreign policy will favor “show-of-force” theatrics designed to reinforce the image of US engagement but with an eye towards exploiting opportunities for American businesses.

“The U.S.-led coalition has ramped up its air campaign on the Islamic State’s finances, launching 15 strikes against cash depots and more than 125 attacks on oil infrastructure.”

“The central but little-known role that U.S. Special Operations troops can play in helping foreign forces plan and execute deadly missions against militant targets.”

“The missions - known often by some variation of ‘train, advise and assist’ - have served as an extension of America’s larger wars in Afghanistan and Iraq.”

And I heard the voice of the Lord saying, “Whom shall I send, and who will go for us?” Then I said, “Here I am! Send me.”

US Secretary of Defense Carter and Philippine Secretary of National Defense Gazmin shaking hands on a Marine Corps V-22 Osprey over the South China Sea.

Continue on.

“Following the attack by IS on the Philippine army in Western Mindanao, Manila should make fighting IS its national security priority.”