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Experts debate legalities of covert warfare

(Nov. 26, 2010)

By SARAH CHACKO Medill News Service WASHINGTON — Is the targeted killing of a terrorist murder or the lawful response to an enemy combatant? What if the terrorist wasn’t “on the battlefield” in Afghanistan? What if the terrorist was an … Continue reading →


Increased mental health issues likely to affect military law cases, experts say

(Nov. 09, 2010)

By SARAH CHACKO | Medill News Service WASHINGTON — As more is learned about mental health issues faced by war fighters, it is likely that diminished capacity or insanity defenses could become more common in military trials and military leaders … Continue reading →


Returning war vets continue to battle health care and employment systems at home

(Nov. 09, 2010)

By SARAH CHACKO | Medill News Service WASHINGTON — After facing the challenges of war, returning veterans face hardships dealing with the health care, education and employment systems, veteran advocates said Friday. The health needs of returning veterans are considerable … Continue reading →


Looking forward, transitioning foreign governments and budget cuts will affect U.S. military

(Nov. 09, 2010)

By SARAH CHACKO | Medill News Service WASHINGTON — As the U.S. warfighting focus shifts from Iraq to Afghanistan, the transition of the Iraqi government is still an important story to watch, said Nancy Youssef, chief Pentagon correspondent for McClatchy … Continue reading →


Defense spokesman pledges on-the-record briefings but says some will have to remain on background

(Nov. 02, 2010)

By SARAH CHACKO | Medill News Service WASHINGTON — The Department of Defense’s top spokesman assured reporters that the Pentagon would provide as many on-the-record briefings as possible on military issues, but that some policy issues will have to remain … Continue reading →


Tips for covering the military and war

(Oct. 19, 2010)

(Videographer: Sarah Chaco) Kelly Kennedy, who covers health and medical issues for the Military Times papers and is also the author of the recently released book “They Fought for Each Other: The Triumph and Tragedy of the Hardest Hit Unit … Continue reading →


Is cyberspace just one big crowded theater?

(Jun. 10, 2010)

The concerns raised in recent months over how social networking sites collect users’ personal information seemed to be eclipsed by news last month of a man being arrested for one of his shared comments. Paul Chambers, a 26-year-old British citizen, … Continue reading →


Legislating Security

(May. 04, 2010)

A Congressional Research Service report issued in January lists more than 15 individual pieces of cybersecurity-related legislation proposed in the 111th and 110th Congresses. Among the “common themes of recent cybersecurity initiatives” discussed in the report is “privacy and civil liberties – maintaining privacy and freedom of speech protections on the Internet while devising cybersecurity procedures.” Continue reading →


Giving It Up to Cyberspace

(Apr. 23, 2010)

CHICAGO — As I type my credit card number into the blank space on Target’s online store, I’m strangely aware of how much of myself I’m relinquishing. With a click of a button, the card number, my address, and the wedding … Continue reading →


Trust issues with WikiLeaks

(Apr. 12, 2010)

CHICAGO — WikiLeaks, a Web site that publishes confidential information from government and private businesses received from anonymous sources, has been creating waves since it started in 2006. Last week, the site grabbed front pages in The New York Times, the Washington … Continue reading →