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<DIV id=date>Edition: Tue, February 26, 2008<BR><A
href="http://www4.army.mil/news/standto.php?dte=2008-02-26">Rich-text
Version</A></DIV>
<DIV class=column>
<H2>TODAY'S FOCUS</H2>
<P><B>This is the first of an eight part series highlighting critical elements
of the 2008 Army Posture Statement</B><BR><BR><B>Strategic context: An era of
persistent conflict</B><BR><BR>Persistent conflict and change characterize the
strategic environment. We will confront highly adaptive and intelligent
adversaries who will exploit technology, information and cultural differences to
threaten U.S. interests. This era of persistent conflict will result in high
demand for Army forces and capabilities. A number of global trends are creating
the conditions for persistent conflict. <BR><BR><B>Globalization and technology.
</B>Increased global connectivity and technological advances will continue to
drive global prosperity—yet they also will underscore disparities. While
advances in technology are benefiting people all over the world, extremists are
exploiting that same technology to manipulate perceptions, export terror, and
recruit the people who feel disenfranchised or threatened by its
effects.<BR><BR><B>Radicalism. </B>Extremist ideologies and separatist movements
will continue to have an anti-Western and anti-U.S. orientation. Radical and
religious extremist groups, separatists and organizations that support them are
attractive to those who feel victimized or threatened by the cultural and
economic impacts of globalization. <BR><BR><B>Population growth. </B>The
likelihood of instability will increase as populations of several less-developed
countries will almost double in size by 2020. The “youth bulge” created by this
growth will be vulnerable to anti-government and radical ideologies and will
threaten government stability. <BR><BR><B>Resource competition. </B>Competition
for water, energy, goods, services and food to meet the needs of growing
populations will increase the potential for conflict. By 2025, global energy
demands are expected to increase by 40 percent, threatening supplies to poor and
developing nations. <BR><BR><B>Climate change and natural disasters. </B>Climate
change and other projected trends will compound already difficult conditions in
many developing countries. These trends will increase the likelihood of
humanitarian crises, the potential for epidemic diseases, and regionally
destabilizing population migrations. <BR><BR><B>Proliferation of weapons of mass
destruction. </B>The diffusion and increasing availability of technology
increases the potential of catastrophic nuclear, biological and chemical
attacks. Many of the more than 1,100 terrorist groups and organizations are
actively seeking weapons of mass destruction.<BR><BR><B>Safe havens.</B> States
that are unable or unwilling to exercise control within their borders create the
potential for global and regional groups to organize and export terror.
Territories under the control of renegade elements or separatist factions will
challenge central government authority, potentially creating a base from which
to launch broader security threats. <BR><BR>The trends that fuel persistent
conflict characterize the strategic environment now and into the future and will
require integration of all elements of our national power (diplomatic,
informational, economic and military) to achieve our national objectives. The
implication for the Army is the need to be modernized, expeditionary and
campaign capable, and prepared to operate across the full spectrum of
conflict.<BR><BR><A href="http://www.army.mil/aps/08/index.html">2008 Army
Posture Statement</A></P>
<H2>INFORMATION YOU CAN USE</H2>
<P>• <A
href="https://www.us.army.mil/suite/page/409993?c=ZGF2aWQudmVyZ3VuMg==">2007
Strategic Communication Guide </A>- Read the 2007 Army Strategic Communication
Guide for key messages and updates<BR><BR>• <A
href="https://www.us.army.mil/suite/page/303879">Strategic Communication
Coordination Group (SCCG) Workspace </A><BR><BR>• <A
href="https://www.us.army.mil/suite/page/216363">Army Public Affairs Portal
</A><BR><BR>• <A href="http://www.army.mil/valor">Stories of Valor </A></P>
<H2>CALENDAR</H2>
<P><B>Operations in and among the population. FM 3-0. Coming Feb.
28.</B></P></DIV>
<DIV class=column>
<H2>NEWS ABOUT THE ARMY</H2>
<P>
<UL>
<LI><B>Stability operations</B> now part of Army’s core mission (<A
href="http://www.army.mil/-news/2008/02/25/7580-stability-operations-now-part-of-armys-core-mission/"
target=_blank>ARNews</A>)
<LI><B>U.S., Philippine troops</B> jump in Balikatan (<A
href="http://www.army.mil/-news/2008/02/25/7586-us-philippine-troops-jump-in-balikatan/"
target=_blank>ARNews</A>)
<LI><B>Guardsman to compete</B> in Alaska's Iditarod (<A
href="http://www.army.mil/-news/2008/02/25/7588-guardsman-to-compete-in-alaskas-iditarod/"
target=_blank>ARNews</A>)
<LI><B>Unit strives</B> for cohesive security in Afghan province(<A
href="http://www.defenselink.mil/news/newsarticle.aspx?id=49062"
target=_blank>AFIS</A>)</LI></UL>
<P></P>
<H2>WAR ON TERROR NEWS</H2>
<P>
<UL>
<LI><B>NATO confronts</B> surprisingly fierce Taliban (<A
href="http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/02/25/AR2008022503089.html"
target=_blank>WP</A>)
<LI><B>Wheelchair bomb</B> kills officer in Iraq (<A
href="http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/world/middleeast/la-fg-iraq26feb26,0,2474617.story"
target=_blank>LAT</A>)
<LI><B>'I feel that we will die': </B>Civilians fearful as Turks move into
Iraq (<A
href="http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/world/iraq/20080225-1410-iraq-fearingturkey.html"
target=_blank>SDUT</A>)
<LI><B>Attacks in Pakistan</B> kill at least 11 people (<A
href="http://www.boston.com/news/world/asia/articles/2008/02/26/attacks_in_pakistan_kill_at_least_11_people/"
target=_blank>BG</A>)</LI></UL>
<P></P>
<H2>OF INTEREST</H2>
<P>
<UL>
<LI><B>Military fears</B> 'unknown quantity' (<A
href="http://www.washingtontimes.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080226/NATION/476716884/1001"
target=_blank>WT</A>)
<LI><B>Congress: </B>Why should each military branch get same budget? (<A
href="http://www.csmonitor.com/2008/0226/p03s03-usmi.html"
target=_blank>CSM</A>)
<LI><B>China to cooperate</B> on access to records (<A
href="http://www.boston.com/news/world/asia/articles/2008/02/26/china_to_cooperate_on_access_to_records/"
target=_blank>BG</A>)
<LI><B>Chiarelli likely to command</B> Iraq forces (<A
href="http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/02/25/AR2008022502473.html"
target=_blank>WP</A>)</LI></UL>
<P></P>
<H2>WORLD VIEW</H2>
<P>
<UL>
<LI><B>Opinion: Don't credit Al-Qaeda</B> by assuming it offers Muslims hope
(<A href="http://www.alarabiya.net/english.html" target=_blank>AA</A> | <A
href="http://www.alarabiya.net/views/2008/02/25/46105.html"
target=_blank>Story</A>)
<LI><B>Toll rises</B> in Turkey-PKK conflict (<A
href="http://english.aljazeera.net/English" target=_blank>AJ</A> | <A
href="http://english.aljazeera.net/NR/exeres/3E14DD15-F2D1-4C65-8148-5200DFB3E975.htm"
target=_blank>Story</A>)
<LI><B>British Museum and army</B> team up in move to rescue Iraq's heritage
(<A href="http://arts.guardian.co.uk/" target=_blank>GRD</A> | <A
href="http://arts.guardian.co.uk/art/news/story/0,,2259948,00.html"
target=_blank>Story</A>)
<LI><B>Opinion: Potemkin innovative Army</B> (<A
href="http://www.moscowtimes.ru/" target=_blank>RT</A> | <A
href="http://www.moscowtimes.ru/stories/2008/02/26/006.html"
target=_blank>Story</A>)
<LI><B>Can the Mideast avoid war? </B>(<A
href="http://www.alarabiya.net/english.html" target=_blank>AA</A> | <A
href="http://www.alarabiya.net/views/2008/02/26/46149.html"
target=_blank>Story</A>)</LI></UL>
<P></P>
<H2>WHAT'S BEING SAID IN BLOGS</H2>
<P>
<UL>
<LI><B>Measuring up</B> (<A
href="http://blog.notes2grow.com/2008/02/25/measuring-up.aspx"
target=_blank>N2G</A>)
<LI><B>Combat Camera:</B> Forward observers paint targets for artillery strike
in Mosul (<A href="http://thetension.blogspot.com/" target=_blank>TT</A>)
<LI><B>A defiled star</B> (<A
href="http://kaboomwarjournal.blogspot.com/2008/02/defiled-star.html"
target=_blank>KB</A>)
<LI><B>Massive explosion in Tabriz, Iran</B> – possible missile facility? (<A
href="http://gatewaypundit.blogspot.com/2008/02/explosion-at-nuclear-facility-in-iran.html"
target=_blank>GP</A>)
<LI><B>U.S. Army</B> turns to Disney for help (<A
href="http://blog.foreignpolicy.com/node/8244" target=_blank>FP</A>)
<LI><B>Building an Army</B> that can build nations (<A
href="http://www.headlinejunky.com/permalink/2008_02_25_building_an_army_that_can_build_nations.php"
target=_blank>HJ</A>)</LI></UL>
<P></P></DIV>
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