Tuesday’s Early Bird leads with several stories dealing with the removal of Gen. David McKiernan from the top U.S. commander’s post in Afghanistan. The Washington Times reports that a top aide defended McKiernan after his dismissal as Afghanistan theater commander Monday, saying many of the civilians who died in U.S. air strikes last week had been forced into target buildings by the Taliban and required to shoot at government forces.
The Afghan government says nearly 150 people died in the strikes in the western province of Farah, angering the administration of President Hamid Karzai, who raised the issue with President Obama in Washington last week.
There had also been unhappiness within the Pentagon about the handling of civilian casualties by Gen. McKiernan, who will be replaced by Lt. Gen. Stanley A. McChrystal, a former commander of the Joint Special Operations Command who is currently director of the Joint Staff.
An American soldier opened fire on comrades Monday afternoon inside a combat stress clinic at a large U.S. military base in Baghdad, killing five and wounding three in an attack that prompted officials to promise to try to ease the strain on troops deployed to war zones, the Washington Post reports.
The gunman was taken into custody shortly after the 2 p.m. shooting at Camp Liberty, part of a sprawling military installation near Baghdad International Airport, U.S. military spokesman Lt. Col. Brian Tribus said.
The military did not identify the gunman or shed light on what his motive might have been. Tribus said the gunman's name will be disclosed when and if charges are filed.
The Post also reports that Pakistani officials said security forces killed 52 Islamist fighters in the Swat Valley on Monday, as the country's prime minister told Parliament the army had to take on the Taliban forces in the northwest because "the very existence of the country was at stake."
Intense fighting continued in many areas of the Malakand region occupied by Taliban forces, and thousands of civilians continued to flee. The number of displaced people has swelled to 270,000 in newly built camps in peaceful areas of North-West Frontier Province.
Interior Minister Rehman Malik told journalists here in the capital that the army operation will go on "until the last militant is flushed out of the area." He also appealed for more international assistance in the fight, saying, "We have the will, but we don't have the capacity" to defeat the violent Islamist forces.
The San Diego Union-Tribune reports that a Camp Pendleton Marine should stand trial on security and weapons charges despite questions about his intent, a military investigating officer has recommended to his superiors.
In a report recently sent to the commander of Marine Forces Pacific, Lt. Col. Curtis Permito said enough evidence exists to try Master Sgt. Reinaldo Pagan for allegedly disobeying orders, lying to investigators and violating standards of good order and discipline.
But he advised Lt. Gen. Keith Stalder, the convening authority in the case, that Pagan's purported misdeeds are better characterized as “negligent” instead of “willful.” Stalder will decide whether to order a court-martial.
Pagan is a Marine reservist and part of the Hayward Police Department's SWAT team. The government accuses him of not doing enough to prevent illegal access to highly classified documents. Pagan is also charged with stealing an M-16 rifle.
Another Marine reservist, Gunnery Sgt. Gary Maziarz, has served prison time for his role in stealing the top-secret files. He has said that much of the material focuses on surveillance of alleged terrorists in Southern California, including certain Muslims in San Diego County.
China has developed more secure operating software for its tens of millions of computers and is already installing it on government and military systems, hoping to make Beijing's networks impenetrable to U.S. military and intelligence agencies, according to the Washington Times.
The secure operating system, known as Kylin, was disclosed to Congress during recent hearings that provided new details on how China's government is preparing to wage cyberwarfare with the United States.
"We are in the early stages of a cyber arms race and need to respond accordingly," said Kevin G. Coleman, a private security specialist who advises the government on cybersecurity. He discussed Kylin during a hearing of the U.S. China Economic and Security Review Commission on April 30.
Media summary
1. Leading newspaper headlines: The New York Times, Washington Post, Los Angeles Times, and Wall Street Journal's world-wide news box lead with the firing of the top American commander in Afghanistan. (Slate Magazine)
2. Pakistan raids Taliban stronghold: Pakistan's army says it has dropped troops by helicopter to tackle a Taleban stronghold as part of a broadening offensive in the north-west. (BBC)
3. Marine Corps warns of noise from demonstrations: The U.S. Marine Corps has put out a noise advisory for the Chicago area as they demonstrate new aircraft and vehicles. (CBS)
4. Iran reformers face Ahmadinejad: Two leading reformist challengers to Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad have registered to run against him in 12 June presidential election. (BBC)
2. Pakistan raids Taliban stronghold: Pakistan's army says it has dropped troops by helicopter to tackle a Taleban stronghold as part of a broadening offensive in the north-west. (BBC)
3. Marine Corps warns of noise from demonstrations: The U.S. Marine Corps has put out a noise advisory for the Chicago area as they demonstrate new aircraft and vehicles. (CBS)
4. Iran reformers face Ahmadinejad: Two leading reformist challengers to Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad have registered to run against him in 12 June presidential election. (BBC)
The New York Times, Washington Post, Los Angeles Times, and Wall Street Journal's world-wide news box lead with the firing of the top American commander in Afghanistan. Defense Secretary Robert Gates announced yesterday that he had requested the resignation of Gen. David McKiernan, who had been in the job for less than a year, because the Pentagon needs "fresh thinking" and "fresh eyes" on Afghanistan. McKiernan will be replaced by Lt. Gen. Stanley McChrystal, the director of the Pentagon's Joint Staff who recently ran the secretive special operations forces in Iraq. McChrystal has lots of experience in counter-insurgency operations and is widely expected to quickly institute changes to U.S. and NATO strategy in Afghanistan. Replacing a four-star commander of a war zone is exceedingly rare, and several papers mention that it looks like it's the first time this has happened since President Harry Truman removed Gen. Douglas MacArthur during the Korean War.
USA Today goes high with the ousting of McKiernan but leads with the five U.S. service members who were killed by a fellow soldier at a counseling center in Baghdad. None of the other papers front the news, even though the slayings appear to amount to the deadliest episode of violence between U.S. service members since the start of the Iraq war. "It does speak to me about the need for us to redouble our efforts in terms of dealing with the stress," Adm. Michael Mullen, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, said. There's word that the shooter might have been a patient at the clinic, but investigations are ongoing.
The LAT notes that "Gates has ousted a succession of top military officials since becoming Defense secretary," but McKiernan is the first ground commander he has fired. Gates made it clear that the move would "probably" end McKiernan's military career. While many military officers praised McKiernan, they also said he was reluctant to change tactics and slow to implement strategies that have had success in Iraq. "Gen. McKiernan is a good man," said a retired Army general. "But he was the wrong man at the wrong time."
The decision to oust McKiernan comes after what the LAT says were months of complaints from military officers about the U.S. command in Afghanistan. The WSJ hears word that the decision was made "after a behind-the-scenes campaign by an influential group of current and former military officers, many of whom played key roles developing and backing the Bush administration's troop 'surge' in Iraq." Ultimately, Gates and many top advisers thought McKiernan, who spent his entire military career with conventional forces, didn't have the right experience for the job. ("McKiernan's ouster signals a dramatic shift in U.S. strategy for the war in Afghanistan," writes Slate's Fred Kaplan. "And it means that the war is now, unequivocally, 'Obama's war.' ")
The WP highlights that there were particular complaints about McKiernan's reluctance to create U.S.-backed local militias that had been a key factor in reducing violence in Iraq. And the LAT notes that McKiernan tried his best to not anger allies by sticking to a NATO campaign plan, even though many thought it had become "outdated and ineffective." McChrystal, along with Lt. Gen. David Rodriguez who will now manage day-to-day U.S. troops in Afghanistan, have lots of experience with counter-insurgency and unconventional warfare. McChrystal oversaw the commando teams that captured Saddam Hussein and killed Abu Musab al-Zarqawi.
The NYT and LAT front, and everyone covers, news that the Iranian-American journalist who had been convicted of spying in Iran and sentenced to eight years in prison was released yesterday. Roxana Saberi had been in jail since January, and the Obama administration had been speaking up to try to secure Saberi's release. Last month, Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad called for a careful review of the case in what the NYT says might have been a bid to try to improve relations with the United States before the June elections. The LAT takes it a bit further and says that while the arrest shows the Iranian system remains unpredictable, it's at least "capable of flexibility, pragmatism and even damage control." Ahmadinejad's press adviser cryptically declared: "Maybe we want people to read into this."
The WP takes an interesting look at how more than two years after a United Nations weapons expert was nearly killed by an explosion in his hotel bedroom, it's still unclear what happened. A U.N. colleague was initially implicated, but infighting between different U.N. agencies throughout the investigations has led to a stalemate. Meanwhile, both men lost their jobs and their reputations "with virtually no hope of having their names cleared." This case may be particularly dramatic, but it's really just another example of how the U.N. is often unable to police its own staff. More than 850 peacekeepers have been sent home since 2006 after they were implicated in wrongdoing, but the vast majority of the cases remain unsolved.
The WP goes inside with e-mails that seem to suggest Robert Murtha may have exploited his influential family connections to get millions of dollars' worth of Pentagon contracts. Robert Murtha insists his uncle, Rep. John Murtha of Pennsylvania, had nothing to do with the contracts. But some correspondence suggests that may be far from the truth. In one e-mail, Robert Murtha writes about the importance of sending some federal work through his uncle's hometown. And some people who used to work with him say Murtha's companies were often able to maintain their share of big contracts even though the work they did was ultimately unnecessary.
In the WSJ's op-ed page, Andy Kessler writes that the recent increases in the stock markets "sure smells to me like a sucker's rally." The Dow Jones industrial average has surged 30 percent from its low of more than two months ago, but there "aren't sustainable, fundamental reasons for the market's continued rise." There are several reasons that could explain the recent rise in stock prices but the "stock market still has big hurdles to clear." Even though, as analysts never tire of saying, it's possible to have a "jobless recovery" it's impossible to "have a profitless recovery."
Anthony Cordesman writes in the WP's op-ed page that Iraq "now risks becoming the 'forgotten war.' " Many seem to be in a rush to declare victory and get out as soon as possible, but that may lead to losing "both the ongoing war and the peace that could follow." While it's true that much of the country's future depends on Iraqis, that doesn't mean the Obama administration shouldn't be doing everything possible to make sure the recent gains are sustainable. Although the steps will undoubtedly mean more American lives and money will be lost, the ultimate price tag "will be far lower than the mid- to long-term cost of throwing away a high probability of leaving Iraq with lasting security and stability." It's imperative that the United States not make the same mistake as in Vietnam and actually come up with a strategy to leave Iraq, not only for the country's sake but also to ensure the stability of the Persian Gulf. "In strategic terms, Vietnam was always expendable," writes Cordesman. "Iraq and the Gulf are not."
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Pakistan raids Taleban stronghold
USA Today goes high with the ousting of McKiernan but leads with the five U.S. service members who were killed by a fellow soldier at a counseling center in Baghdad. None of the other papers front the news, even though the slayings appear to amount to the deadliest episode of violence between U.S. service members since the start of the Iraq war. "It does speak to me about the need for us to redouble our efforts in terms of dealing with the stress," Adm. Michael Mullen, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, said. There's word that the shooter might have been a patient at the clinic, but investigations are ongoing.
The LAT notes that "Gates has ousted a succession of top military officials since becoming Defense secretary," but McKiernan is the first ground commander he has fired. Gates made it clear that the move would "probably" end McKiernan's military career. While many military officers praised McKiernan, they also said he was reluctant to change tactics and slow to implement strategies that have had success in Iraq. "Gen. McKiernan is a good man," said a retired Army general. "But he was the wrong man at the wrong time."
The decision to oust McKiernan comes after what the LAT says were months of complaints from military officers about the U.S. command in Afghanistan. The WSJ hears word that the decision was made "after a behind-the-scenes campaign by an influential group of current and former military officers, many of whom played key roles developing and backing the Bush administration's troop 'surge' in Iraq." Ultimately, Gates and many top advisers thought McKiernan, who spent his entire military career with conventional forces, didn't have the right experience for the job. ("McKiernan's ouster signals a dramatic shift in U.S. strategy for the war in Afghanistan," writes Slate's Fred Kaplan. "And it means that the war is now, unequivocally, 'Obama's war.' ")
The WP highlights that there were particular complaints about McKiernan's reluctance to create U.S.-backed local militias that had been a key factor in reducing violence in Iraq. And the LAT notes that McKiernan tried his best to not anger allies by sticking to a NATO campaign plan, even though many thought it had become "outdated and ineffective." McChrystal, along with Lt. Gen. David Rodriguez who will now manage day-to-day U.S. troops in Afghanistan, have lots of experience with counter-insurgency and unconventional warfare. McChrystal oversaw the commando teams that captured Saddam Hussein and killed Abu Musab al-Zarqawi.
The NYT and LAT front, and everyone covers, news that the Iranian-American journalist who had been convicted of spying in Iran and sentenced to eight years in prison was released yesterday. Roxana Saberi had been in jail since January, and the Obama administration had been speaking up to try to secure Saberi's release. Last month, Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad called for a careful review of the case in what the NYT says might have been a bid to try to improve relations with the United States before the June elections. The LAT takes it a bit further and says that while the arrest shows the Iranian system remains unpredictable, it's at least "capable of flexibility, pragmatism and even damage control." Ahmadinejad's press adviser cryptically declared: "Maybe we want people to read into this."
The WP takes an interesting look at how more than two years after a United Nations weapons expert was nearly killed by an explosion in his hotel bedroom, it's still unclear what happened. A U.N. colleague was initially implicated, but infighting between different U.N. agencies throughout the investigations has led to a stalemate. Meanwhile, both men lost their jobs and their reputations "with virtually no hope of having their names cleared." This case may be particularly dramatic, but it's really just another example of how the U.N. is often unable to police its own staff. More than 850 peacekeepers have been sent home since 2006 after they were implicated in wrongdoing, but the vast majority of the cases remain unsolved.
The WP goes inside with e-mails that seem to suggest Robert Murtha may have exploited his influential family connections to get millions of dollars' worth of Pentagon contracts. Robert Murtha insists his uncle, Rep. John Murtha of Pennsylvania, had nothing to do with the contracts. But some correspondence suggests that may be far from the truth. In one e-mail, Robert Murtha writes about the importance of sending some federal work through his uncle's hometown. And some people who used to work with him say Murtha's companies were often able to maintain their share of big contracts even though the work they did was ultimately unnecessary.
In the WSJ's op-ed page, Andy Kessler writes that the recent increases in the stock markets "sure smells to me like a sucker's rally." The Dow Jones industrial average has surged 30 percent from its low of more than two months ago, but there "aren't sustainable, fundamental reasons for the market's continued rise." There are several reasons that could explain the recent rise in stock prices but the "stock market still has big hurdles to clear." Even though, as analysts never tire of saying, it's possible to have a "jobless recovery" it's impossible to "have a profitless recovery."
Anthony Cordesman writes in the WP's op-ed page that Iraq "now risks becoming the 'forgotten war.' " Many seem to be in a rush to declare victory and get out as soon as possible, but that may lead to losing "both the ongoing war and the peace that could follow." While it's true that much of the country's future depends on Iraqis, that doesn't mean the Obama administration shouldn't be doing everything possible to make sure the recent gains are sustainable. Although the steps will undoubtedly mean more American lives and money will be lost, the ultimate price tag "will be far lower than the mid- to long-term cost of throwing away a high probability of leaving Iraq with lasting security and stability." It's imperative that the United States not make the same mistake as in Vietnam and actually come up with a strategy to leave Iraq, not only for the country's sake but also to ensure the stability of the Persian Gulf. "In strategic terms, Vietnam was always expendable," writes Cordesman. "Iraq and the Gulf are not."
To top of document
Pakistan raids Taleban stronghold
Pakistan's army says it has dropped troops by helicopter to tackle a Taleban stronghold as part of a broadening offensive in the north-west. The troops were landed in the sparsely populated Peochar valley in Swat.
A BBC correspondent says Peochar is one of the bases of Swat Taleban chief Maulana Fazlullah.
Hundreds of thousands have fled the fighting and Human Rights Watch has urged the army and Taleban to avoid civilian casualties.
Up to 15,000 troops have now been deployed in the Swat valley and neighbouring areas to take on up to 5,000 militants.
Mountain retreat
An army spokesman confirmed to the BBC that troops airlifted by army helicopters had landed in Peochar but refused to reveal any more operational details.
See a map of the region
Peochar is about 65km (40 miles) north-west of Swat's main town of Mingora.
A BBC correspondent says Peochar is one of the bases of Swat Taleban chief Maulana Fazlullah.
Hundreds of thousands have fled the fighting and Human Rights Watch has urged the army and Taleban to avoid civilian casualties.
Up to 15,000 troops have now been deployed in the Swat valley and neighbouring areas to take on up to 5,000 militants.
Mountain retreat
An army spokesman confirmed to the BBC that troops airlifted by army helicopters had landed in Peochar but refused to reveal any more operational details.
See a map of the region
Peochar is about 65km (40 miles) north-west of Swat's main town of Mingora.
The BBC's M Ilyas Khan in Islamabad says the area has camps both for combat training of militants and for training suicide bombers.
He says Maulana Fazlullah is normally based in his native village of Imamdheri in Matta but retreats to Peochar when under army pressure and is reported to be there now.
Our correspondent says there are also reports of the army blocking exit routes out of Peochar and if the area has been adequately cordoned off, the battle there may be fierce.
The BBC Urdu service managed to reach a civilian in Mingora by telephone and was told of "intermittent gunfire".
The man, who wanted to remain anonymous, said: "Thousands of people are still trapped in Mingora, but the town is like a ghost city as no-one dares come out on the streets.
He says Maulana Fazlullah is normally based in his native village of Imamdheri in Matta but retreats to Peochar when under army pressure and is reported to be there now.
Our correspondent says there are also reports of the army blocking exit routes out of Peochar and if the area has been adequately cordoned off, the battle there may be fierce.
The BBC Urdu service managed to reach a civilian in Mingora by telephone and was told of "intermittent gunfire".
The man, who wanted to remain anonymous, said: "Thousands of people are still trapped in Mingora, but the town is like a ghost city as no-one dares come out on the streets.
"Everybody wants to leave with no gas and food stocks running very low but the strict curfew by the government has given us no choice but to stay put."
Human Rights Watch has meanwhile urged the army and Taleban to do all they can to avoid civilian casualties in Swat.
Brad Adams, Asia director at Human Rights Watch, said: "Beheadings and use of human shields by Taleban forces are not a blank cheque for the Pakistani army.
"Winning the war, but also the peace, in Swat can only be achieved by minimising civilian suffering."
Human Rights Watch said it had reports of the Taleban mining parts of the Swat valley and preventing people leaving Mingora.
The UN has expressed fears for the 360,000 Pakistanis who have fled and has said it will deliver emergency humanitarian aid.
UN High Commissioner for Refugees Antonio Guterres said: "This is a huge and rapidly unfolding emergency which is going to require considerable resources beyond those that currently exist in the region."
Pakistan's military says it has killed hundreds of militants so far.
Pakistan's government signed a peace agreement with the Swat Taleban in February, allowing Sharia law there, a move sharply criticised by Washington.
The militants then moved out into neighbouring districts, causing further alarm.
Human Rights Watch has meanwhile urged the army and Taleban to do all they can to avoid civilian casualties in Swat.
Brad Adams, Asia director at Human Rights Watch, said: "Beheadings and use of human shields by Taleban forces are not a blank cheque for the Pakistani army.
"Winning the war, but also the peace, in Swat can only be achieved by minimising civilian suffering."
Human Rights Watch said it had reports of the Taleban mining parts of the Swat valley and preventing people leaving Mingora.
The UN has expressed fears for the 360,000 Pakistanis who have fled and has said it will deliver emergency humanitarian aid.
UN High Commissioner for Refugees Antonio Guterres said: "This is a huge and rapidly unfolding emergency which is going to require considerable resources beyond those that currently exist in the region."
Pakistan's military says it has killed hundreds of militants so far.
Pakistan's government signed a peace agreement with the Swat Taleban in February, allowing Sharia law there, a move sharply criticised by Washington.
The militants then moved out into neighbouring districts, causing further alarm.
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Marine Corps Warns Of Noise From Demonstrations
Marine Week Will Feature Aircraft, Vehicles
Marine Corps Warns Of Noise From Demonstrations
Marine Week Will Feature Aircraft, Vehicles
The U.S. Marine Corps has put out a noise advisory for the Chicago area as they demonstrate new aircraft and vehicles. Through Sunday, the Marine Corps will be moving the aircraft and vehicles to various places across the city, and, they say, "Citizens should be advised there will be occasional noise disturbances as aircraft are relocated."
"The Marine Corps will make every effort to keep the noise to a minimum and appreciates the public's patience during this week-long celebration of country and Corps," said a release from the Marines.
Among the events during Marine Week are demonstrations at several schools, as well as Navy Pier, Arlington Race Track and other venues. The Marines will also have combat weapons sessions with the Chicago Police Department and some suburban departments, and several performances by the Marine Band, among other events.
Iran reformers face Ahmadinejad
Two leading reformist challengers to Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad have registered to run against him in 12 June presidential election.
Former PM Mir-Hossein Mousavi, backed by former President Mohammad Khatami, is seen as the leading challenger.
Former parliamentary speaker Mehdi Karroubi has also put down his name - a day before the deadline expires.
They join President Ahmadinejad and the former Revolutionary Guards chief, Mohsen Rezai, in the race so far.
Mr Ahmadinejad is hoping to win a second term in office.
Although he has not spelled out his plans, he said that "serving the Iranian nation is the biggest honour".
'Standing for change'
Former PM Mir-Hossein Mousavi, backed by former President Mohammad Khatami, is seen as the leading challenger.
Former parliamentary speaker Mehdi Karroubi has also put down his name - a day before the deadline expires.
They join President Ahmadinejad and the former Revolutionary Guards chief, Mohsen Rezai, in the race so far.
Mr Ahmadinejad is hoping to win a second term in office.
Although he has not spelled out his plans, he said that "serving the Iranian nation is the biggest honour".
'Standing for change'
"I have come to establish better ties between Iran and the world by removing tension and through constructive interaction," said Mr Mousavi after submitting his bid to the interior ministry.
Mr Mousavi, who was Iran's prime minister in the 1980s before the post was abolished, has promised to create new jobs and fight Iran's "extremist" image abroad, but also to pursue its controversial nuclear programme.
Mr Mousavi, who was Iran's prime minister in the 1980s before the post was abolished, has promised to create new jobs and fight Iran's "extremist" image abroad, but also to pursue its controversial nuclear programme.
Mr Karroubi, the other reformist challenger, is one of the few Iranian politicians who has criticised Mr Ahmadinejad over his dismissal of the Holocaust as a "myth".
Describing the current regime as "incapable and unfit" to run the country, the 72-year-old veteran politician said he was "standing for change".
Mr Karroubi - who lost to Mr Ahmadinejad in the 2005 election - also demanded that the Revolutionary Guards "not interfere" in this year's election.
He had blamed his previous defeat on "illegal interference" by the Revolutionary Guards and their Basij militia.
"We want a free election without the interference of armed forces. We are ready to be defeated or be triumphant, but that should be according to the people's mandate," he said. Analysts say reformers are hoping Mr Rezai's candidacy will split the conservative vote, but they warn that reformers, too, must be wary of splitting their potential support.
Describing the current regime as "incapable and unfit" to run the country, the 72-year-old veteran politician said he was "standing for change".
Mr Karroubi - who lost to Mr Ahmadinejad in the 2005 election - also demanded that the Revolutionary Guards "not interfere" in this year's election.
He had blamed his previous defeat on "illegal interference" by the Revolutionary Guards and their Basij militia.
"We want a free election without the interference of armed forces. We are ready to be defeated or be triumphant, but that should be according to the people's mandate," he said. Analysts say reformers are hoping Mr Rezai's candidacy will split the conservative vote, but they warn that reformers, too, must be wary of splitting their potential support.
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