Orbital Flight Test-2: Crew and Science Briefing - includes US Marine Corps Astronaut LtCol Nicole Mann - note:the OFT-2 mission has had to be rescheduled to 3 August 2021 at the earliest because of an accidental firing of the thrusters of the newly arrived Roscosmos (Russian) Nauka laboratory module,which briefly caused the ISSto shift position.

US Continues Combat Air Role in Afghanistan - plus the future of the Iraq Mission

According to GEN Kenneth McKenzie,US Marine Corps,Commander,US Central Command: We have increased airstrikes against the Taliban in support of Afghan forces over the past several days,and we are prepared to continue this heightened support in the coming weeks if the Taliban continue their attacks.Taliban victory is not inevitable.* In addition,the US will continue giving the Afghan Air Force logistical support following the withdrawal of all US and foreign forces as of 31 August 2021.* Meanwhile,about 900 US troops,including some in Infantry Figthing Vehicles, continue to support Operation Inherent Resolve against Islamic State militants in Syria.With regard to Iraq,US President Joseph R. Biden received Iraqi Prime Minister Mustafa Al-Kadhimi at the White House yesterday.The two leaders discussed the ongoing strategic dialogue between the two countries,which includes health care;climate change;energy;strengthening Iraqi democracy;and security cooperation-especially our shared fight against ISIS (another word for Islamic State) and our counterterrorism effort.* President Biden noted that: Today our relations are stronger than ever.I think things are going well.Our troops will continue to train,to assist,to help,and to deal with ISIS as it arises.* Mr.Biden announced that the 2500 US troops in Iraq will no longer be in a combat role after the end of 2021,however.Indeed,it has been some time since they exercised such a function.NATO has a separate training mission in Iraq as well.* The Iraqi Security Forces still need more training.What is more,they need the intelligence support that the US troops provide through their presence in Iraq,observed CNN correspondent Arwa Damon.*

Change of Command:General Miller Relinquishes Afghanistan Command

On 12 July 2021,GEN Austin "Scott" Miller,US Army, turned over the colours of United States Forces-Afghanistan to GEN Kenneth McKenzie,US Marine Corps,Commander US Central Command,in a ceremony in the Afghan capital,Kabul.The event signified the effective end of US military involvement in the Afghan War,which began in 2001 following the 9-11 attacks.GEN Miller,60,was the longest-serving general officer in the Afghan War,having assumed his post as US and NATO Resolute Support commander in Afghanistan in 2018.He had previously served in Iraq and the Battle of Mogadishu.He is expected to retire shortly. On 14 July,GEN Miller was welcomed home at Joint Base Andrews,Maryland by Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin abd Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff GEN Mark Milley,US Army.He then met with US President Joseph R. Biden,who thanked him for his years of exemplary service. least 95% of US Forces have already left Afghanistan.Some 650 US Marines will remain in Kabul to provide US Embassy security.* Before departing Kabul,GEN Miller had told ABC News that: The loss of territory (to the Taliban militants) and the rapidity of the loss has to be concerning.* All US combat troops are to be out of Afghanistan by 31 August 2021.An over-the-horizon (out of country) counterterror capability is being developed for use as needed in the Southwest Asian nation.This could include CIA Predator drone strikes and possibly involve the CIA's Ground Branch paramiltary operatives,who were the first US Forces to arrive in Afghanistan in 2001.* Many districts in the country's rugged Northeast have reportedly fallen to the Taliban recently,with Afghan National Defence and Security Forces surrendering or fleeing to neighbouring Central Asian contries.Other districts have been retaken by the ANDSF.It is believed that the ANDSF are strong enough to protect Kabul itself at this time,given their airpower and 30,000 Special Operations Forces.

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Donald Rumsfeld's legacy: The Iraq war and September 11th