Obama refocuses terror threat to pre-9/11 level

Some call it wishful thinking, but President Barack Obama has all but declared an end to the global war on terror.

18:14 May 25, 2013

Soldiers train to support, advise Afghans on taking lead in operations

On a recent tour of the piece of southern Afghanistan that his squadron will inherit when it deploys this summer, Lt. Col. Eric Smith surveyed the remnants of past efforts against Taliban insurgents, from abandoned outposts to faded roads and former phase lines. While there, Smith’s armored vehicle struck a roadside bomb. The close call underlines the continued stakes in Afghanistan as Smith’s squadron and its parent unit, the 2nd Cavalry Regiment, prepare to deploy to Kandahar province.

Army investigating Alaska officer for allegedly condoning affairs

The Army is investigating a battalion commander in Alaska for condoning sexual affairs, creating what subordinates called a “toxic environment.” The service already was looking into the officer for promoting a World War II-style pinup calendar featuring his wife and scantily clad female soldiers.

Air Force facing 'readiness crisis,' leaders say

Spending cuts have forced a “readiness crisis” in the Air Force, grounding a dozen combat squadrons, cutting training and maintenance, and threatening modernization of an aging fleet, top Air Force leaders said Friday.

Improved grenade design on the way

Troops can soon look forward to small improvements, even a possible complete redesign, of the fragmentation hand grenade.

Hagel pays tribute to fallen commander in speech

On Feb. 2, 1968, a 21-year-old American private witnessed his first combat death up close — the sudden, shocking killing of another young soldier by a Vietnamese sniper.

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Official 2013 military pay tables

Find your 2013 Basic Allowance for Housing rate

Obama: Nation must do more for fallen heroes

President Barack Obama says the nation must do more than just remember its fallen heroes on Memorial Day.
19:15 May 25, 2013
Obama: Sexual assault threatens trust in military
Survivor, rescuer reunite at Maine B-52 crash site
Ceremony today repatriates remains of 10 US airmen downed in 1969
Veteran entrepreneurs lowering jobless rate to below civilian levels
Marine injured in Afghanistan mission could be home for Memorial Day
Sexual assault reports, and prosecutions, rise at Fort Hood
Hagel: Cadets must stamp out sex assault scourge
Air Force facing 'readiness crisis,' leaders say
Commissaries to close Mondays, some Tuesdays due to furloughs

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Afghanistan
Mideast
Asia

7 Philippine marines, 5 militants killed in clash

At least seven Philippine marines and five militants were killed in a clash Saturday as the military launched an offensive against al-Qaida-linked gunmen who have been blamed for recent kidnappings and of trying to sabotage a road project in the southern Philippines.
08:53 May 25, 2013
2-child limit for Muslims in parts of Myanmar
2 former sex slaves demand Japan mayor quit
Osaka mayor in unprecedented crisis
Suspected rebels kill 16, wound 25 in east India
Copter training prepares Hawaii Guard unit for deployment
N. Korean envoy delivers letter to China's president

Iran did not send and does not intend to send military forces to Syria - Iranian defense minister

Iran did not send and does not intend to send military forces to Syria, said on Saturday Iranian Defense Minister Ahmad Vahidi, commenting on the information spread in a number of news websites on sending Iranian troops to Syria, the Iranian news agency ISNA reported.

13 minutes ago
Ryan Crocker says US is fumbling on Iran's nuclear program
Suicide bomber dies in blast in Afghan capital
Israeli expert says Syrian cyberattack foiled
Thirty-three dead in clash, bombing in Afghanistan
Balloons bring smiles in war-weary Afghan capital
Jordan king says extremism 'grown fat' on conflict

'Yugonostalgia' as Croatia prepares to join EU

Croatia may be on the doorstep of the European Union, but in the village of Kumrovec another group of nations was getting all the glory. In Kumrovec, the birthplace of Yugoslavia's late communist leader Josip Broz Tito, thousands gathered Saturday to mark his birthday.
08:20 May 25, 2013
French soldier stabbed in throat outside Paris
Pirates release German ship's 4 crew members
Police arrest friend of suspect in British soldier's slaying
Female suicide bomber injures 11 in Russian region
Slain British soldier’s family didn't think he’d face danger at home
Unlike Boston, questions for suspects in London hospitals are limited

Ryan Crocker says US is fumbling on Iran's nuclear program

Ryan Crocker has long been viewed as America's indispensable diplomat in the Muslim world. President George W. Bush named him ambassador to Iraq in 2007 to rescue a failing policy, and four years later, President Obama dispatched him to salvage the U.S. mission in Afghanistan.
22:31 May 25, 2013
Fort Worth police say 'Colonel Mike' created an elaborate ruse about a military career
Obama: Nation must do more for fallen heroes
Hagel: Cadets must stamp out sex assault scourge
Survivor, rescuer reunite at Maine B-52 crash site
Furlough Friday: Unpaid day off for many in gov't
Quilt maker helps to keep troops, veterans covered

DOD civilians use 'strength in numbers' to fight LQA loss

Commissaries to close Mondays, some Tuesdays due to furloughs

Soldiers train to support, advise Afghan forces on taking lead in operations

Wounded troops get free Segways in annual ceremony honoring Memorial Day

Germans prep for post-2014 role in Afghanistan

Aggressive use of craniectomy keeps Ranger and others like him alive

Help Tornado Alley residents go underground

When disaster hits, Oklahomans bask in helping others. We’re good at it. Some call it the “Oklahoma spirit.” But even as we’re cleaning up the debris and mourning those killed by the mile-wide tornado that devastated Moore and other parts of the Oklahoma City suburbs on Monday, too many aren’t addressing what we can do to reduce potential damage in the future.

Gallery

After Hours: An order of fur with purr on the side

Kubasaki back on top with rout of St. Mary's

Live now on the Tablet Edition

Germans prep for post-2014 role in Afghanistan

The German armed forces will continue an assist-and-advise mission in the Afghanistan's north.
For S. Korean police, a primer on Americans in 238 pages

New book looks to ensure USFK-Korean relations don't get lost in translation.
Gallery

From the archives: Cold War chronicles

Throughout the Cold War, Stars and Stripes reporters were at the ready to report every rise in temperature.
Improved grenade design on the way

Troops can soon look forward to small improvements, even a possible complete redesign, of the fragmentation hand grenade.

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Spouse Calls

Homeward bound

An Army wife writes about the journey she and her children shared with a soldier finally coming back to his loved ones
The Ruptured Duck

House Republicans push for backlog commission

The 15-person panel would weigh in on VA’s claims processing and evaluation problems.
Stripes Central

Busy lawmakers take time to help Muppets and the USO

When Cookie Monster asks for a favor, even Congress listens.
Europe Traveler

Hear some free music in Europe this summer

What beats an outdoor music concert? A free one! As summer kicks in, enjoy loads of musical performances at no cost during several weeks. Here's a hearty sampling.
Stripes Central

House moves to block another BRAC round

Defense budget language introduced by House lawmakers forbids DOD from planning or initiating another round of Base Realignment and Closure.
Good Game

All for One and One for all?

Microsoft unveiled the successor to its Xbox 360 on Tuesday and showed off a console that tries to do it all.

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2-child limit for Muslims in parts of Myanmar May 25, 2013
Army investigating Alaska officer for allegedly condoning affairs May 25, 2013
Hagel pays tribute to fallen commander in speech May 24, 2013
Improved grenade design on the way May 15, 2013
Air Force facing 'readiness crisis,' leaders say May 25, 2013
Navy commanders relieved of duty in 2012 December 13, 2012
Obama refocuses terror threat to pre-9/11 level May 25, 2013
Fort Worth police say 'Colonel Mike' created an elaborate ruse about a military career May 25, 2013
Female Marine gets reprimand, loss of pay in adultery case April 25, 2013
DOD civilians use 'strength in numbers' to fight LQA loss May 24, 2013

USS McCain arrives at Sasebo after suffering damage to sonar array 01:23 May 12, 2010
Landstuhl to test Sigonella flu case for H1N1 01:22 May 12, 2010
Overseas voting is not just a duty, it’s a chore 00:44 May 12, 2010
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90 Seconds: 2nd Lt. Justin Middleton 13:18 February 23, 2012
Vilseck hands Panthers first defeat 15:32 January 28, 2012
USAREUR retires Vietnam-era 'Huey' helicopter 04:28 April 29, 2011
School, well projects eyed for Afghan village 11:01 July 21, 2010

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