Small Wars Journal

Military Sees No Quick Exit From ‘New World’ of Coronavirus

Wed, 04/15/2020 - 1:28pm

Military Sees No Quick Exit From ‘New World’ of Coronavirus by Robert Burns – Associated Press

The U.S. military is bracing for a months-long struggle against the coronavirus, looking for novel ways to maintain a defensive crouch that sustains troops' health without breaking their morale - while still protecting the nation.

Unlike talk in the Trump administration of possibly reopening the country as early as May, military leaders are suggesting that this summer may be the best-case scenario of tiptoeing toward a return to normal activities. Even that is uncertain, and for now the focus is on adjusting as the pandemic's threat evolves.

“We are going to need to change and adapt, because even over the coming months the virus isn’t going to go away. We’re going to have to be able to operate in a COVID environment,” Deputy Defense Secretary David Norquist said recently, referring to the disease caused by the novel coronavirus.

Officials have frozen most forces in place overseas, stopped troops and their families from moving to new assignments, and cut back access to the Pentagon. The military services have halted or restricted recruit training, canceled major exercises, and isolated troops in the most sensitive units…

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4 Arrested for Alleged ISIS Plans to Attack U.S. Bases in Germany

Wed, 04/15/2020 - 12:33pm

4 Arrested for Alleged ISIS Plans to Attack U.S. Bases in Germany – Associated Press

Berlin - German authorities say police have arrested four suspected members of the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) who were planning an attack on American military facilities. Federal prosecutors said the suspects were arrested by tactical police units early Wednesday at various locations in the western state of North Rhine-Westphalia.

They identified the men as Azizjon B., Muhammadali G., Farhodshoh K. and Sunatullokh K. - all citizens of Tajikistan. The suspects' surnames weren't released for privacy reasons.

The men's alleged leader, a 30-year-old Tajik man identified only as Ravsan B., has been in jail since March 2019 on unspecified charges…

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