Memorial Day: Remembering the Price of Progress

Seeded on Mon May 30, 2011 7:40 PM EDT (http://www.LifeLoveandTruth.com)

Memorial Day - What does it mean to an Afghan War vet who looks back and sees progress in this long, 10-year war? A poignant view of what we've lost and what we've gained. And a tribute to some fallen Soldiers who may not get the honors they deserve...

afghanistan, taliban, training, war, soldiers, murder, casualties, ronald-reagan, fallen, terrorists

Healing "Hidden" Wounds of War - You Can Help

Seeded on Tue Apr 5, 2011 8:56 PM EDT (http://LifeLoveandTruth.com)

More than 2 million troops have served in Afghanistan and Iraq. Although most return safe, too many suffer invisible injuries that are serious and, in some cases, deadly. We can't afford to ignore the effects of these debilitating conditions.

iraq, afghanistan, suicide, war, military, treatment, world-news, trauma, veterans, stress

Egypt - A Case Against Haste

Seeded on Fri Feb 4, 2011 11:00 AM EST (http://www.LifeLoveandTruth.com)

Should we push for a swift resolution to President Mubarak's crisis in Egypt? Consider what recent history teaches us about acting too soon when governments face upheaval. Consider the context in today's Middle East. Then choose wisely.

egypt, israel, iran, hamas, terrorism, protests, muslim-brotherhood, government, change, freedom

WikiLeaks - Biting the Free Hand that Feeds It

Seeded on Sun Dec 12, 2010 1:44 PM EST (http://LifeLoveandTruth.com)

WikiLeaks. These online whistle-blowers are attracting as much attention as the diplomatic and military secrets they've exposed. But by winnding their "tell-all" battle, as they losing the free-speech war?

media, afghanistan, war, military, rights, editor, diplomacy, law, free-speech, government

Afghan Training - Lead With "Why" Not "How"

Seeded on Tue Nov 30, 2010 11:20 AM EST (http://LifeLoveandTruth.com)

The "war on terror" is a very different kind of war - as recent apparent "insider" attacks on Afghan Border Police units illustrates.

afghanistan, pakistan, terrorism, taliban, training, soldiers, strategy, world-news, war-on-terror, relationships

Gratitude and Gettysburg

Seeded on Thu Nov 25, 2010 12:25 PM EST (http://LifeLoveandTruth.com)

Ironic, but true. A quick peek at history reveals that the Thanksgiving holiday is deeply linked to war. With our nation engaged in its longest war ever, what can this holiday teach us about freedom - and the world's struggle to overcome oppressive terrorists?

afghanistan, terrorism, slavery, civil-war, freedom, abraham-lincoln, thanksgiving, war-on-terror, oppression, gettysburg

Vets Day How-To - Tell Deployed Troops You Care

Seeded on Wed Nov 10, 2010 8:20 PM EST (http://LifeLoveandTruth.com)

This Veterans Day - in addition to thanking those who've served, why not reach out to the NEXT generation of vets? It's easier than you may think to reach out and make a difference among U.S. troops.

army, afghanistan, air-force, navy, marines, troops, soldier, world-news, vets, veterans-day

VOTING: Good Witch or Bad Witch? You Decide!

Seeded on Mon Nov 1, 2010 4:19 PM EDT (http://afghanistan-journal.com/blog)

If you're an American, no matter HOW you vote - your vote MATTERS! An Afghanistan war veteran makes his case for why no one should overlook elections as an opportunity to bring principles to politics...

afghanistan, elections, politics, war, american, progress, turnout, vote, democracy, ballot

9/11/2010: Losing Our Innocence All Over Again

Seeded on Sat Sep 11, 2010 11:37 AM EDT (http://LifeLoveandTruth.com)

On the ninth anniversary of the 9/11 attacks on the US, recent media distractions prompt spiritually minded soldier, Jeff Courter, to ask an important question - What are we at risk of losing, if we don't remain focused on what really counts?

media, muslim, taliban, faith, islam, freedom, us-news, christian, 9-11, koran

RESTREPO: Real Love, Real Sacrifice, in Real Time

Seeded on Thu Jul 1, 2010 8:59 PM EDT (http://www.LifeLoveandTruth.com)

Soul-searching military blogger, Jeff Courter, attended a sneak-peek of Sebastian Junger's gripping Afghanistan War documentary, "Restrepo" last weekend. It led him to ask a key question: Why are soldiers who go through the horror of war willing to return again and again?

entertainment, army, afghanistan, death, life, war, military, brotherhood, love, national-geographic

Bono on Governance - Rock the World

Seeded on Sat Apr 24, 2010 12:21 PM EDT (http://www.LIFELOVEandTRUTH.com)

What lesson is rockstar Bono learning as his humanitarian organization "ONE" seeks solutions to the problem of extreme poverty in Africa? And could this same lesson apply to Afghanistan?

human-rights, afghanistan, u2, peace, war, military, progress, one, africa, relief

Afghanistan - Putting the "Build" in "Clear, Hold & Build"

Seeded on Thu Apr 15, 2010 1:50 PM EDT (http://www.LifeLoveandTruth.com)

American troops in Afghanistan are swelling as we enter the next phase in a "clear, hold and build" military strategy. How can stronger relationships - both with U.S.

texas, army, afghanistan, terrorism, peace, war, military, soldiers, dallas, world-news

Tea with Greg Mortenson - Everyone's Welcome!

Seeded on Mon Apr 12, 2010 12:07 PM EDT (http://www.LifeLoveandTruth.com)

If you believe simple ideas can't change the world, spend some time with "3 Cups of Tea" author Greg Mortenson. Even our military leaders agree that he's a living example of a game-changing philosophy.

human-rights, books, afghanistan, pakistan, terrorism, taliban, children, peace, war, world-news

To Train Military Leaders, Start with the Right Stuff

Seeded on Thu Apr 8, 2010 2:47 PM EDT (http://www.LifeLoveandTruth.com)

A recent "USA Today" article reveals the struggles facing the Afghan Army, as it tries to find and develop strong, stable leaders. The author of this analysis suggests that the fastest path to a winning strategy means picking "horses," not "turtles." He should know.

army, afghanistan, winning, terrorism, training, war, military, troops, soldier, development

Afghanistan - Beyond the Battlefield

Seeded on Tue Mar 30, 2010 4:31 AM EDT (www.afghanistan-journal.com/blog)

President Obama rallied US troops in Afghanistan last weekend. But what was his underlying message to Afghans? How committed is the U.S.

texas, army, afghanistan, terrorism, taliban, leaders, book, peace, president, war

Afghanistan - Can We "Win"

Seeded on Sun Mar 28, 2010 3:43 PM EDT (http://www.Adghanistan-Journal.com/blog)

Today in Afghanistan, President Obama reaffirmed for US troops that the mission was to "disrupt, dismantle and destroy" Al Qaeda and its terrorist allies. He also emphasized the need for progress on the civilian front.

us, army, afghanistan, afghan, security, peace, defense, war, military, progress

9/11 - New Photos Remind Us What We've Lost

Seeded on Sun Mar 7, 2010 11:24 AM EST (http://www.LifeLoveandTruth.com)

A picture is worth a 1000 words. New aerial photos of 9/11 leave us hollow and haunted. "The War on Terror" sometimes seems complex and conceptual. But this is raw and real. It deserves to stay fixed in our minds...

afghanistan, death, terrorism, life, war, world-trade-center, photos, attacks, destruction, us-news

Afghanistan - The Trials of Tribal Leaders

Seeded on Sun Mar 7, 2010 11:20 AM EST (http://www.LifeLoveandTruth)

In the Afghan War, winning battles against the Taliban is one way to measure progress. But winning hearts and minds of the Afghan people will require a much deeper commitment. It's worth considering what keeps tribal leaders up at night...

afghanistan, terrorism, taliban, peace, war, military, progress, government, world-news, al-qaeda

Haiti - Shock, Awe & Burning Questions

Seeded on Sun Jan 17, 2010 12:16 PM EST (http://www.LifeLoveandTruth.com)

In the aftermath of Haiti's devastating earthquake, Christian and soldier, Jeff Courter, explores questions that many of us ask about disasters.

haiti, afghanistan, death, earthquake, aid, life, victims, relief, survivor, disaster

1984 Redux - Lessons for Terrorists

Seeded on Thu Jan 14, 2010 1:16 PM EST (http://www.LifeLoveandTruth.com)

A thoughtful commentary on world history, theology and the human condition. Implications for the people of Afghanistan - and the terrorists who hope to dominate them. A look at oppression and progress, as inspired by the classic literature of George Orwell.

terrorism, religion, progress, oppression, orwell, totalitarianism

Four Afghan War Veterans Look Back, and Ahead

Seeded on Mon Jan 4, 2010 3:24 PM EST (The New York Times)

Jeff Courter, soldier and author of "Afghan Journal: A Soldier's Year in Afghanistan" (http://www.afghanistan-journal.com) is one of four Afghan war vets interviewed about their thoughts on President Obama's new strategy.

army, afghanistan, terrorism, taliban, war, troops, soldier, strategy, blog, obama

The Promise of 2010 - Is Enough Finally ENOUGH?

Seeded on Sat Jan 2, 2010 5:55 PM EST (http://www.LifeLoveandTruth.com)

It's a new year - a fresh opportunity to love people more than things. The author suggests it's time to rethink our priorities - and demonstrate our commitment by simplifying our lives.

consumer, sharing, new-year, priorities, hope, prosperity, lifestyle, resolutions, compassion, purpose

The Gift of Christmas - Way Beyond a Birthday

Seeded on Sun Dec 27, 2009 5:01 PM EST (http://www.LifeLoveandTruth.com)

One Christian layman's view of the meaning behind Christmas. It all revolves around one word - Incarnation. What does this term really mean, and why should it be considered important - not only by Christians, but by those of other faiths, as well?

religion, god, faith, love, jesus-christ, christmas, christian, belief, truth, humanity

Nobel Theology - The Afghan Imperative

Seeded on Wed Dec 23, 2009 1:41 AM EST (http://LifeLoveandTruth.com)

In the wake of Barack Obama's Nobel Peace Prize acceptance speech, Christian, soldier & author Jeff Courter examines the religious and historial origins of the president's emerging war rationale. (Part 2 of 2)

afghanistan, peace, president, war, military, strategy, barack-obama, world-news, nobel-prize, philosophy