A recent survey of Shia Arabs by World Public Opinion.org finds that more now favor a timetable for withdrawal of coalition forces than did at the start of 2006. A majority appears to favor a one-year withdrawal. If the US-led contingent leaves sooner—say within six months, WPO reports that the Baghdad Shia population fears “an upsurge in inter-ethnic violence.”
Trainees in Basic Military Training and technical school no longer have the option to try alternate PT drills if they fail an initial assessment, according to a policy change the Air Force made in April. The move is part of a larger shift out of the classroom and into hands-on,…