Afghanistan – In Afghanistan, Soldiers Bridge 2 Stages of War

New York TimesIn Afghanistan, Soldiers Bridge 2 Stages of War

New York TimesTurning Tables, U.S. Troops Ambush Taliban With Swift and Lethal Results

New York TimesPinned Down, a Sprint to Escape Taliban Zone

Here are three other articles written by acclaimed journalist and former Marine officer C.J. Chivers about US Army troops in Afghanistan in April 2009.

US Navy – Will cash crisis leave Navy high and dry?

San Diego Union TribuneWill cash crisis leave Navy high and dry?

A serious Navy cash crunch is threatening to leave sailors in San Diego and across the fleet stranded ashore, unable to change duty stations and without the bonuses that have long encouraged them to stay in uniform. In recent weeks, Navy officials have instituted a series of austerity measures to reduce costs or postpone them until the next fiscal year, which begins Oct 1.

Transformation – Inside the War Against Robert Gates

EsquireInside the War Against Robert Gates

Thomas P.M. Barnett writes that if the Iraqi and Afghan insurgents — and, now, the Somali pirates — have taught us anything, it’s that the era of the “big war” is behind us. No one gets that more than our Secretary of Defense, argues a top global-security expert, and that’s why his Pentagon overhaul will beat the backlash.