The Bush Administration and new Democratic-led Congress have different views over the way forward in the war on terrorism, but a new World Public Opinion poll shows Americans of both parties are lining up on the same side. The December poll shows a majority of both Republicans and Democrats want a timeline in Iraq that would bring most US troops home by early 2008. A majority of Americans in both parties also agree with the Iraq Study Group that it is time to talk with Iran rather than continuing to use the threat of military force to effect a change in behavior.
A top Pentagon tech official called on industry this week to help the military develop “lighter, more efficient” directed energy weapons designed to go on aircraft and conduct special operations missions or down drones—areas where the Air Force’s directed energy efforts have been quiet as of late.