The latest Pew Research Center survey finds that more Americans now believe the conflict in Iraq is a civil war and about half see the situation becoming another Vietnam. When asked the question “Is Iraq a civil war?” 52 percent of respondents answered yes, up two percentage points from just three months ago and 22 from a year ago. Attitudes about the situation in Afghanistan also have worsened. Less than half now believe Operation Enduring Freedom has been a success, compared to 52 percent a year earlier.
Secretary of Defense Austin Lloyd III met with his counterparts from Australia, Japan and the Philippines to discuss bolstering defense ties on May 2. The discussion included plans for joint F-35 exercises with Japan and Australia in the coming years.