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8 August 2023

Punchbowl News | W.H. on brink of sending Ukraine funding to Hill

The White House is expected to formally ask Congress for supplemental funding for Ukraine and domestic disaster relief as soon as this week, according to five sources familiar with the matter.

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CNN | CNN poll: Majority of Americans oppose more US aid for Ukraine in war with Russia

Most Americans oppose Congress authorizing additional funding to support Ukraine in its war with Russia, according to a new CNN poll conducted by SSRS, as the public splits over whether the US has already done enough to assist Ukraine.

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Stars and Stripes | Pentagon to pull 1,100 active-duty troops from the U.S.-Mexico border by Aug. 8

More than 1,000 active-duty troops deployed at the U.S.-Mexico border in response to an expected surge in migrant crossings will end their mission by Aug. 8, a defense official said Tuesday.

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Stars and Stripes | Deadline for veterans to apply for backdated PACT Act benefits is Aug. 9

Next week, Aug. 9, is the deadline for veterans to apply to receive the backdated benefits, or those owed in the year since the act was passed.

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ABC News | Sailors accused of spying for China set to appear in court

Two Navy sailors who allegedly spied for China will appear in federal court on Tuesday in California, days after being arrested and accused of surreptitiously relaying sensitive government information to foreign officials.

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Military Times | Marine guards remain at US embassy in Niger amid partial evacuation

The Marine security guards stationed at the American embassy in Niger will remain there as the United States evacuates all but essential staff because of a coup in the country.

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Military.com | The perils of adding US forces in the Middle East

Those who advocate for continuing the buildup argue that the United States cannot afford to back down, as doing so would undermine its leadership, prestige and credibility. However, these nebulous concepts come at a tangible cost: American lives.

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The Hill | Biden steamrolls toward disaster in the Middle East

Such a move would be disastrous for American interests, entrapping Washington as Riyadh’s security guarantor despite a fundamental disconnect between U.S. and Saudi interests and values. This agreement would risk American lives to defend a repressive dictatorship and provide a framework for other regional dictators to pressure the United States into similar concessions. The Biden administration appears to be pursuing this agreement unilaterally, leaving both Congress and the American people in the dark.

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TIME | Ukraine’s counteroffensive needs a Plan B

Admittedly, a Ukrainian shift to defense would not, by itself, drive Russia to the bargaining table. But, if coupled with a diplomatic approach that incentivizes Russia to end the fighting rather than prolong it to keep Ukraine out of NATO, it could well prompt Russia to aim to secure its still quite limited gains through a negotiated end to the war. It is time to try.

The Overwatch | Watch: Rep. Mike Bost shares his perspective on VA reform and accountability

House Veterans Affairs Committee Chairman discusses VA accountability and reform measures his committee is working on.

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Newsmax | Analyzing the Gallup poll: John Byrnes on public trust in the military

Join John Byrnes as he discussed the startling findings that reveal a decline in public confidence in the military, reaching its lowest point in two decades. He explores the potential factors behind this shift and its implications on our nation's perception of our armed forces.

Military.com | Ohio veterans battle America’s opioid epidemic in new documentary ‘Small Town Strong’

The combination of employment, exercise and cognitive behavioral therapy with trained and licensed counselors formed the foundation of the Portsmouth Method, a community revitalization project designed to reverse the opioid epidemic on an individual level. It's helped turn addicts like Sarah Wilson and Andrew Wright into functional members of society.

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CBS News Boston | Haverhill Marine veteran Kevin Alder receives Purple Heart after 55 years

In July 1968, when Alder was serving during the Vietnam war, someone in unit stepped on a North Vietnamese booby trap while on patrol and it exploded. Three of his fellow Marines were killed and Alder suffered shrapnel wounds. In the years since, he never received his Purple Heart, possibly because of a disconnect in his paperwork

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The Virginian-Pilot | Finding new purpose: Military members prepare to enter civilian workforce

Home Builders Institute is working to connect the dots between skills gained during military service and civilian job opportunities. The Department of Defense Skillbridge Program, in partnership with The Home Depot Foundation, offers transitioning service members the opportunity to participate in a cost-free 12-week program that will certify them in safety, electrical and carpentry and help place them in a job.

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