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Vicky O'Hara Victoria (Vicky) O'Hara is a diplomatic correspondent for NPR. Her coverage of the State Department and foreign policy issues can be heard on the award-winning Morning Edition, All Things Considered, and Weekend Edition as well as on NPR's newscasts.
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Vicky O'Hara

Wednesday

All Things Considered

U.S. Forces Overstretched? Rumsfeld Says No

Two reports conclude the U.S. Army and Marines are being stretched dangerously thin because of repeated deployments in Iraq and Afghanistan. Democrats released one report, while the other Pentagon-commissioned study has not been made public. Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld has disputed the findings.

U.S. Forces Overstretched? Rumsfeld Says No

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Thursday

World

Essay Offers Strong Critique of U.S. Military in Iraq

The Army publication Military Review has published a provocative essay by a respected British military officer that is highly critical of the U.S. Army's performance in Iraq. The officer writes that the U.S. Army is ill prepared to cope with an insurgency and that its actions actually have fueled the insurgency in Iraq.

Essay Offers Strong Critique of U.S. Military in Iraq

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Friday

World

U.S. Moves Toward Air Power in Iraq War

In mid-December, the U.S. military increased its use of air power against the Iraqi insurgency as the country prepared for elections. U.S. officials say reliance on air power is likely to continue this year as Washington begins to draw down its ground forces.

U.S. Moves Toward Air Power in Iraq War

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Thursday

Politics

Pentagon to Probe Abuse of Security Database

The Pentagon has ordered a review of a security database built after the Sept. 11 attacks to help protect military bases and personnel. But reports have emerged that the database includes information about anti-war activists and people opposed to military recruiting.

Pentagon to Probe Abuse of Security Database

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Tuesday

Technology

Defense Contractors May Be Chink in Cyber Security

Pentagon figures show that attempts to break into Department of Defense systems increased dramatically from 2003 to 2004. Security analysts warn that defense contractors are even more vulnerable than the Pentagon to computer hackers.

Defense Contractors May Be Chink in Cyber Security

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Monday

Technology

Pentagon Faces Computer Security Problems

The Pentagon's 5 million computers make a tempting target for computer hackers. Officials reported 80,000 attempts to disrupt the system last year. What is being done to improve security?

Pentagon Faces Computer Security Problems

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Sunday

World

Resurgent Violence Threatens Fragile Afghan Stability

Four years after U.S.-led forces ousted the Taliban, the top U.S. military commander in Afghanistan says the country has made considerable progress. But 2005 has been the bloodiest year yet for American forces there. Some experts say the Taliban has become stronger and may be receiving training in Iraq.

Resurgent Violence Threatens Fragile Afghan Stability

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Thursday

Morning Edition

Pentagon Addresses Need to Stop Detainee Abuse

Pentagon officials are trying to sort out a policy for what soldiers should do when they witness abuse of detainees by authorities in other countries. The issue arose two weeks ago after starved and tortured men were discovered at a clandestine Baghdad prison run by Iraq's Interior Ministry.

Pentagon Addresses Need to Stop Detainee Abuse

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Tuesday

World

Drawing Iraq's Sunnis into the Political Process

The U.S. and Iraqi governments are increasing efforts to involve Sunni Arabs in the country's political process. But officials acknowledge that it is difficult to identify the real powerbrokers. Critics of their efforts suggest that the United States is talking to the wrong people.

Drawing Iraq's Sunnis into the Political Process

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Sunday

World

Military Steps Up Programs to Help Families

U.S. military officials say the pace and frequency of deployments to Iraq is leading to greater divorce, alcohol and drug abuse, and spousal and child abuse. The Army has had to rapidly establish intervention programs, especially for National Guard and Reserve forces returning from Iraq.

Military Steps Up Programs to Help Families

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Thursday

World

Command and Control of the Iraq Insurgency

Many U.S. experts on Iraq suggest the absence of major attacks during last Saturday's constitutional referendum shows that insurgent leaders have both a political agenda and a considerable degree of command and control over their forces.

Command and Control of the Iraq Insurgency

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Tuesday

Morning Edition

Military Works to Adapt Readiness

Since 1991, it has been U.S. policy to ensure that the nation has a military capable of fighting two wars simultaneously. But cutbacks, increasing terrorism and the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan have eroded U.S. military capabilities.

Military Works to Adapt Readiness

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Thursday

World

Military Speeds Equipment Testing for Iraq Troops

The army has changed the way it tests new weapons systems and equipment because of the urgent and changing needs of soldiers serving in Iraq and Afghanistan. Instead of testing equipment to find out if it will work under all conditions, the army is testing only for conditions that apply to Iraq to reduce the time needed to get new equipment to the troops.

Military Speeds Equipment Testing for Iraq Troops

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Sunday

Politics

The Military's Role in Disaster Response

Legislation dating to the Civil War prohibits use of the U.S. military to enforce domestic law. As the White House, Congress and Pentagon consider a broader military role, conservatives and civil libertarians object.

The Military's Role in Disaster Response

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Thursday

World

Military Brass Revise Timetable for Troops in Iraq

Top U.S. military commanders are revising assessments of how soon U.S. troops can begin withdrawing from Iraq. Gen. George Casey said before a skeptical Senate Armed Services Committee that U.S. troops may be able to return home next year. But he also said there is currently just one Iraqi battalion capable of combat.

Military Brass Revise Timetable for Troops in Iraq

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