Thursday
Apr222010
Pentagon Notes
Thursday, April 22, 2010 at 11:26AM
From today's gaggle with Bryan Whitman, Pentagon spokesperson.
1. Iran's War Games
Iran is hosting war games in a move that's being interpreted as chest pounding in response to the Obama administration's new nuclear direction, which keeps the nuclear option on the table for the Islamic Republic.
Whitman describes the war games as "well publicized" and said that the Pentagon is closely monitoring them.
2. South Korea Claims North Korean Torpedo Attack
South Korea reported today that they believe a North Korean submarine attack is behind the loss of one of their navy's ships this March.
Whitman says the U.S. is providing on-going assistance but couldn't elaborate. He could not confirm how many American ships are in the region.
3. The Pentagon's Pray Day
Franklin Graham, the son of evangelical leader Billy Graham, is scheduled to speak at the Pentagon's ceremony for the National Day of Prayer. However, he appeared on WTOP last night and made a number of controversial remarks ie.) Jesus died for all Muslims. He's also said similar inflammatory statements in other venues.
Whitman says that the recent remarks have not escaped the attention of the DoD's senior leadership, but no decision has been made on if Graham will still be allowed to speak. Graham is refusing to back out. Whitman could not say whether Gates is expected to attend the ceremony, although he has in the past.
4. Fort Hood Subpoena
Sen. Lieberman/Collins of the Senate Homeland Security Committee have requested documents related to the November shooting on the Fort Hood Military installation in Texas. DoD is hesitating over giving the documents out of fear that it could compromise the trial of the suspected shooter.
Whitman says there still is no decision on the extent the Pentagon will comply, and notes that the subpoena gives them until Monday to decide.
5. Pirates!
There's still no decision on what the U.S. will do about the pirates captured following an attack off the Seychelles islands earlier this month.
Whitman says that there are 21 pirates by his count in U.S. custody aboard American vessels. Will not comment on if they'll be tried in the U.S. He contends that the U.S. not knowing how they will handle the prosecution of the pirates has not deterred U.S. efforts to confront the threat.
1. Iran's War Games
Iran is hosting war games in a move that's being interpreted as chest pounding in response to the Obama administration's new nuclear direction, which keeps the nuclear option on the table for the Islamic Republic.
Whitman describes the war games as "well publicized" and said that the Pentagon is closely monitoring them.
2. South Korea Claims North Korean Torpedo Attack
South Korea reported today that they believe a North Korean submarine attack is behind the loss of one of their navy's ships this March.
Whitman says the U.S. is providing on-going assistance but couldn't elaborate. He could not confirm how many American ships are in the region.
3. The Pentagon's Pray Day
Franklin Graham, the son of evangelical leader Billy Graham, is scheduled to speak at the Pentagon's ceremony for the National Day of Prayer. However, he appeared on WTOP last night and made a number of controversial remarks ie.) Jesus died for all Muslims. He's also said similar inflammatory statements in other venues.
Whitman says that the recent remarks have not escaped the attention of the DoD's senior leadership, but no decision has been made on if Graham will still be allowed to speak. Graham is refusing to back out. Whitman could not say whether Gates is expected to attend the ceremony, although he has in the past.
4. Fort Hood Subpoena
Sen. Lieberman/Collins of the Senate Homeland Security Committee have requested documents related to the November shooting on the Fort Hood Military installation in Texas. DoD is hesitating over giving the documents out of fear that it could compromise the trial of the suspected shooter.
Whitman says there still is no decision on the extent the Pentagon will comply, and notes that the subpoena gives them until Monday to decide.
5. Pirates!
There's still no decision on what the U.S. will do about the pirates captured following an attack off the Seychelles islands earlier this month.
Whitman says that there are 21 pirates by his count in U.S. custody aboard American vessels. Will not comment on if they'll be tried in the U.S. He contends that the U.S. not knowing how they will handle the prosecution of the pirates has not deterred U.S. efforts to confront the threat.
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