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16 January 2024

Associated Press | Ships and aircraft search for 2 Navy SEALs missing after mission to confiscate Iranian missile parts
U.S. Navy ships and aircraft combed areas of the Gulf of Aden for two missing U.S. Navy SEALs on Monday as details emerged about their mission to board and take over a vessel carrying components for medium-range Iranian ballistic missiles headed for Somalia, a U.S. defense official said Monday.

Politico | Iran claims responsibility for blasts near US consulate in Iraq
Multiple explosions were reported near the U.S. consulate in the Iraqi city of Erbil, with Iran's Revolutionary Guard claiming responsibility for missile attacks on what it claimed were Israeli "spy headquarters," according to state media.

Stars and Stripes | Austin released from Walter Reed after complications from surgery he kept secret
“Secretary Austin progressed well throughout his stay and his strength is rebounding. He underwent a series of medical tests and evaluations and received non-surgical care during his stay to address his medical needs, to include resolving some lingering leg pains,” his doctors said in a statement released by the Pentagon. “He was discharged home with planned physical therapy and regular follow-up. The secretary is expected to make a full recovery.”

Federal Times | House panel seeks VA documents on sexual harassment accusations
“VA officials did not answer the call when they were told about these allegations,” said committee Chairman Mike Bost, R-Ill. “Now that the accused have retired, resigned, or been shuffled around the VA bureaucracy, the department would like this committee to forget about its oversight responsibilities and cede them to the executive branch.”

New York Times | U.S. military aid to Ukraine was poorly tracked, Pentagon reports says
The report found that American officials and diplomats had failed to quickly or fully account for all of the nearly 40,000 weapons sent to the front.

The Hill | Trump easily wins Iowa GOP caucuses
The focus of the race will now turn to New Hampshire, which will hold its first-in-the-nation Republican primary on Jan. 23. .

Reason | The U.S. is done in Iraq
U.S. policymakers, therefore, have a choice to make. They can continue the status-quo policy, which amounts to being a willing hostage to an indefinite mission and carrying on with the delusion that any Iraqi prime minister has the power to do much of anything about the militias. Or they can finally admit that the U.S. has succeeded in doing what it set out to do—eliminating ISIS's proton-state—and extricate the U.S. military from a mess only the Iraqis have the ability to clean up.

Federal Times | Curbing reliance on foreign critical minerals starts with mining in US
Ultimately, expanding domestic production will help the United States reduce its reliance on foreign supplies and mitigate national security risks. Policymakers, decision-makers, and federal agency leaders must invest in mining talent, streamline permitting processes, adopt responsible mining techniques, and broaden the definition of critical minerals to ensure the country can meet the critical mineral demands of the future.

Fox News | Veteran homelessness sees largest spike in 12 years, VA reports: ‘We have failed,’ laments Army vet
Concerned Veterans for America senior adviser John Byrnes, who is based in North Carolina, told Fox News Digital in a phone interview that he was not surprised by the new report. "Homelessness — along with mental health and substance abuse, which are co-related in many cases — has been a problem for veterans for a long time," he said.

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New York Post | VA ripped for helping pay migrant treatment as over 400K veterans, their families wait
“The VA was created to serve the veteran, the brave men and women who served and sacrificed for our freedoms. Right now, under the Biden administration, the VA is failing our nation’s heroes,” [CVA] said in a statement. “Not one more veteran should lose their life waiting for care while the VA focuses on priorities outside of its core mission.”

The Herald | Stories, smiles abound as World War II pilot celebrates 100th birthday
Robert “Bob” Robson was born in Grove City in 1924 and has lived here all his life. His birthday was spent with his family, friends and former neighbors from before he moved into the assisted living center. Robson’s time in the military began in 1943 in the Cadet Aviation Corps. He served until 1946. During his time he had many responsibilities including training and transporting paratroopers and hauling the medical evacuation.

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