Austin, Texas Chapter
The Association for all
Military Officers
Companion Bulletin -
May 2004
Commander's Comments
Acknowledgement
Legislation TRICARE "Active Outreach" Plan sent to Congress. DoD recently sent Congress its plan for informing military beneficiaries about the TRICARE Standard benefit and how it expects to deliver better service. The "Active Outreach Program" report presents a road map on how DoD plans to educate beneficiaries under the new TRICARE contracts and evaluate the level of satisfaction with TRICARE Standard services. DoD's Active Outreach Program will be phased in between June and November of this year as the new TRICARE contracts are launched. Items of Interest
Analysis: Iraqi Rebels Are Worrying the U.S. and Israel Israel cannot sit by indifferently in the face of the current events in Iraq. Among numerous Arab states there exists a desire to see an American defeat. As a result, those who rejoiced at the ousting of Saddam Hussein are now gloating about the number of U.S. casualties. In Israel, on the other hand, the view is practically the opposite, the U.S. military deterioration and the loss of control in Iraq are being viewed with much concern. It is common belief in Israel that an intensification in the fighting could lead to a civil war and an attempt on the part of the Iranians to intervene and replace the Americans. A military escalation in Iraq could, according to one assessment, undermine U.S. deterrence in general, and in the Middle East in particular. Intelligence officials in Israel believe there will be a need to reexamine Israel's preparations with regard to expected developments in the Middle East over the coming year if the situation in Iraq deteriorates further and if Washington is witness to increased calls to abandon the country and forgo the desire to establish a democratic regime there. Such a scenario is also a possibility if Washington gets a new president who promotes a new policy. In both cases, the American deterrence is likely to crack, and such a development will serve as encouragement for radical elements in the Middle East - Iran, Syria, Hezbollah, Hamas and Islamic Jihad. In light of this, Israel has a vested interest in a clear-cut U.S. victory and the rise to power in Iraq of moderate and pragmatic elements that will not constitute a danger to Iraq's neighbors and the region, and will be willing to join the war against global terror. Assessments in Israel have long said that as U.S. elections draw closer, the more effort the radical elements in Iraq will make to strike at the American forces, cause more casualties and intensify their guerrilla and terror war. Thus, these elements will be able to influence the U.S. elections and contribute to the toppling of President George W. Bush. Together with the U.S. elections, the planned date for handing over power to the temporary Iraqi government is also approaching. These two dates - appear to be influencing the decisions of the rebels in Iraq - both the Sunni and Shi'ites. The degree of American success will be determined not only by military plans, but also in keeping with the way in which the Americans will try to prevent a joint Sunni-Shi'ite uprising. A continued increase in the number of casualties among the Iraqi civilian population will make it harder and harder for the Americans to achieve this objective. - Excerpts, Middle East Information Center
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