Candidate Series

Newt Gingrich: His anti-media plan

Using debate moments to propel his presidential election campaign.

Military

With the United States fighting wars in Afghanistan since 2001 and Iraq since 2003 debate at home has moved into questions of costs in lives and financing and whether goals are defined and achievable.  After a surge in Iraq late in the administration of President George W. Bush U.S. troop totals topped out around 170,000.  With the August announcement that the last U.S. combat brigades had left Iraq that figure is now at 50,000 providing security and training for Iraqi forces.  Meanwhile the Obama administration has boosted troop totals in Afghanistan to about 90,000 as a new commander advances an anti-insurgency strategy to suppress the resurgent Taliban.  Adding to the domestic debate is care for veterans of the wars, many of whom return physically intact but need help with psychological issues like post-traumatic stress syndrome.  The Vietnam War even continues to echo in Congress with a new appropriation adding coverage for several medical conditions suffered by veterans who were exposed to Agent Orange, a chemical defoliating sprayed in the jungles on the ground and from the air.

Related Legislation