Jury Holds CACI Premier Technology Liable in Abu Ghraib Trial

A federal jury ordered the private military contractor to pay $42 million in damages to three Iraqi men who sued the company sixteen years ago for its complicity in their torture at this notorious Iraqi prison. Abu Ghraib prison, west of Baghdad, became a potent negative symbol of the US occupation of Iraq after evidence emerged of detainee abuse by …

The Wagner Group’s Shadow in Africa

Remnants of the disgraced Russian mercenary outfit still operate in Africa as desperate countries turn to these groups as they face serious insurgencies. Over the past several years, Russian state-linked mercenaries have established a foothold in the force-for-hire market in Africa. Despite a demonstrated inability to degrade security threats, a litany of egregious human rights violations, and increasing sanctions against …

War Preparations Continue on Guam

Military forces on America’s westernmost territory are preparing to defend against a possible ballistic missile assault from regional rival China. The Vertical Launch System is a launching system for the Standard Missile, defensive interceptor missiles capable of destroying threat missiles or warheads in flight. They are also part of the proposed Enhanced Integrated Air and Missile Defense (EIAMD) System on …

PTSD Through the Years: An Overview

Doctors attached the D-word to Post Traumatic Stress Disorder almost immediately. To many people, a “disorder” is a condition that randomly affects some people and not others, or even worse, a “disorder” excuses socially inappropriate behavior (e.g., I don’t have a bad temper, I have intermittent explosive disorder).  Medically, “disorder” basically means “unknown.” Schizophrenia was once considered a disorder. Now, …

UN to Address Basic Needs in Iraq

The six-year Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) project to improve access to clean water and food security in parts of Iraq will cost an estimated $39 million. “The Iraqi government, represented by the Ministry of Environment, has today achieved an important accomplishment by obtaining funding from the Green Climate Fund to implement SRVALI project in coordination with FAO,” stressed Environmental …