US to slash forces in Europe

The U.S has announced that they will be removing two Army brigades stationed in Europe as apart of its new defense plan that was unveiled earlier this month. They plan to save $400 billion in defense spending over the next 10 years. The remaining two Army brigades in Europe will "rotate in and out of the region", a technique already used by the Marines and Special Op. Forces. Obama has called for a "leaner, cheaper military with a greater focus on the Pacific". I believe this is a good start to help cut the deficit we are currently faced with because we could use many reductions in spending, especially in the Defense department, where we spend more than the next 10 or so countries behind us combined.
http://security.blogs.cnn.com/2012/01/13/us-to-slash-forces-in-europe/

Jordan Tassio

Danger ahead with untested leader?

Kim Jong Un is a very untested leader that has been thrust into the world spotlight after taking over for his late father Kim Jong Il. This passing of the torch in North Korea has sparked a particular interest with United States governmental officials as well as China. The U.S is interested in what stance North Korea is going to take on their nuclear program as well as if there is going to be any fissures in the military due to the new transition with such an inexperienced leader. This inexperience has already led to the price of rice to rise "tenfold" in just two months because he wanted a reevaluation of the nation's currency. These mishaps have led even North Korean military elites to question the new leader's skill set. China has a particular interest in the transition because they hope for everything to remain the same as it was with Kim Jong Il. China doesn't want North Korea to potentially reunify with South Korea because that would be a U.S ally right on China's border. The U.S. and the rest of the world are sitting back and letting North Korea make the first move to see what direction Kim Jong Un will take their foreign policy.

Jordan Tassio
http://security.blogs.cnn.com/2012/01/06/danger-ahead-with-untested-leader/

Officials: Resuming aid to Lebanese military in U.S. interest

After suspending aid last month to the Lebanese military, the Obama administration has decided it is in their best interest to go through with the $100 million in aid. It was suspended last month due to concerns over Hezbollah's, a Shi'a Islamist political and military group, influence in the region. This concern was stregthened after Lebanese soldiers shot and killed an Israeli soldier and it was suspected that Hezbollah could have encouraged it. The Obama admisnistration believes that, in aiding the Lebanese army, it will help the Lebanese government gain control over the Middle Eastern nation. I believe doing this is a good idea by the American government because it will help stabilize the region somewhat. On the other hand, I can see working class America being upset with sending $100 million dollars in aid to a foreign country when the economy is in ruins and the national debt is around $13.5 trillion.

http://www.cnn.com/2010/POLITICS/09/17/lebanon.aid.suspension/index.html