CNN – A street-level look at fighting in Husayba.
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New York Times – Thousands of American and Iraqi troops laid siege on Saturday to this town near the Syrian border in one of the largest military assaults since American-led forces stormed the guerrilla stronghold of Falluja last year.
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Virginian Pilot – Recognizing a growing need for sailors trained in close combat and security, the Navy has realigned and plans to expand its land-based forces under a single command.
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Copley News Service – When the 1st Marine Expeditionary Force resumes responsibility for volatile Anbar province in Iraq in February, the Marines will be bolstered by 18 battalions from the new Iraqi army, plus a large number of Iraqi police and border security forces.
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Associated Press – In a historic step designed to bolster the military’s ability to fight a global war on terrorism, Defense Secretary Donald H. Rumsfeld said Tuesday he approved adding Marines to U.S. Special Operations Command.
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Washington Post – The United States and Japan agreed yesterday to move forward with the biggest overhaul of the Pacific alliance in decades, aimed at bolstering military cooperation against new threats while consolidating U.S. forces on the island and withdrawing about 7,000 Marines from Okinawa.

Japan Times – U.S. to shift 7,000 marines from Okinawa to Guam.

Associated Press – U.S., Japan Announce Military Agreement
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Economist – The future of America’s security policy in the region pivots on one little beach. A look at the future of Marine bases on Okinawa.
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Associated Press – The 3rd Battalion, 1st Regiment from Camp Pendleton, Calif., is one of three Marine battalions sent to Iraq three times. Last November it joined in the battle for Fallujah, where several of its Marines were killed and dozens earned Purple Hearts while clearing out insurgents. Now it is trying to tame Anbar Province’s Sunni Arab cities in the west that previously had no U.S. or Iraqi security forces.
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Washington Post – More on the current US Marine sweep operations in the city of Sadah near the Syrian border.
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BBC – US marines are conducting a major assault on al-Qaeda-linked militants in western Iraq.
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Associated Press – The Pentagon on Wednesday gave the go-ahead to begin full-rate production of the V-22 Osprey, the hybrid helicopter-airplane that the Marine Corps considers vital to the future of its air fleet.
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Marine Corps Gazette – A perspective on combat stress from the psychiatrist of the 1st Marine Division.

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Marine Corps Gazette – For all those who thought that Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm were merely land campaigns fought by opposing forces, the author provides a detailed view of the important role amphibious planning and operations played in bottling up the forces under Saddam Hussein.

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Marine Corps Gazette – The author provides a fresh look at leadership challenges Marines and sailors face these days and offers some commonsense solutions using the Japanese pinball game of pachinko in his analogy.

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Defense and the National Interest – William Lind criticize the use of sweep tactics by Marines in Iraq.
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CNN – The 1st and 2nd Marine Expeditionary Forces are to be sent to the Gulf Coast.
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Marine Corps Gazette – The author provides a no-nonsense primer on how to avoid negligent discharges.

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Marine Corps Gazette – This case study is designed to demonstrate how the concept of progressive reconstruction could fit into the future expeditionary maneuver warfare concept.

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Associated Press – US Marines are trading Humvees for donkeys in Afghanistan.
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Washington Post – The Marines begin another offensive near Anabar province.
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Dallas Morning News – A look at why the Marines are suffering such a high rate of casualties in Iraq.

More from the Associated Press – Marines have one of roughest jobs in Iraq.
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Leatherneck – The “Coyotes” of Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron 775, a Marine Forces Reserve unit, are back in the hunt in Iraq and rapidly making their mark.

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USA Today – The day the Marines crossed into Iraq, Cpl. James Welter Jr. killed his first man. During his second combat tour, he earned a commendation for leadership skills and coolness under fire, but he brought a nightmare home. Now, with six weeks left in his third fighting tour, his goal is simple???He hopes to survive.
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Leatherneck – The suicide bombers did not factor in India/3/2’s willingness to fight when they attempted to breach the Marines’ perimeter with explosives-laden trucks.

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Marine Corps Gazette – In the tumultuous post-11 September 2001 environment, protection from weapons of mass destruction has taken on a unique importance for the Department of Defense (DoD). Here the author provides a clear look into overriding training issues facing the Nation and DoD.

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