The Obama Administration needs an expanded legal justification for the war against ISIS, with the current Authorization for Use of Military Force falling short of activity in Syria and needed protection of US-backed rebels, said Sen. Tim Kaine (D-Va.) on Thursday. Kaine, in a discussion with reporters in Washington, D.C., said the current legal justification does not apply to activity against the Syrian regime or ISIS because the AUMF only covers reaction to the 9/11 attacks. “The administration knows it is on thin ice on its legal justification” and has reached out to Congress for a new authorization, but since then there’s just been “crickets” on Capitol Hill, he said. Kaine released a statement earlier this week calling for debate on the new AUMF in Congress. However, the US would be on sound legal ground to help set up a humanitarian zone in northern Syria for aid because of UN Security Council Resolutions that authorize the provision of aid without approval from the Assad regime.
Air Force F-16 pilots are testing out new sensors that could help maximize their performance and avoid deadly accidents while flying fast fighter jets under heavy G-forces and stressful conditions.