US Navy – A more detailed look at how the Navy is using dolphins to clear mines at Umn Qasr.

• Washington Post: The Navy’s Dolphin-Safe Program

US Navy – Because so many amphibious ready groups and carrier battlegroups are currently forward deployed, those that deploy to relieve them will be at sea a long time to get deployment schedules back on track. Also the Navy is thinking of retaining the USS Constellation once the USS Ronal Reagan is commissioned, giving the US 13 aircraft carriers.

• Virginian Pilot: Next sailors, Marines to deploy may face longer missions

Background – Air War – William Arkin criticises the air war to date.

• Lost Angeles Times: The Price of Precision Bombing

Background – Air War – Another analysis of how successful the air war has been to date.

• Washington Post: Air War: Striking In Ways We Haven’t Seen

Background – Air War – How the air war is being conducted over Baghdad.

• Washington Post: Intense, Coordinated Air War Backs Baghdad Campaign

Background – Strategy – Thomas Ricks on how the type of war being waged is changing.

• Washington Post: Old-Style Battles Are Giving Way to ‘Checkpoint War’