Unless the US ponies up more funds for reconstruction activities in Iraq, efforts “are likely to slow considerably” in the next few years, leaving many goals in the lurch, according to a new report from Steven Kosiak at the Center for Strategic and Budgetary Assessments. The Bush Administration has submitted a request for $2.2 billion in reconstruction funds for its 2007 budget—the CSBA says the number could range up to $10 billion, even with a little help from the international community.
The use of a military counter-drone laser on the southwest border this week—which prompted the Federal Aviation Administration to abruptly close the airspace over El Paso, Texas—will be a “case study” on the complex web of authorities needed to employ such weapons near civilian areas and the consequences of agencies…
