The American majority that shuns the Administration proposal to increase the number of US military forces in Iraq still holds the same negative view even after the President’s speech last week, according to a new USA Today/Gallup Poll. The Jan. 12-14 survey showed that 59 percent of respondents oppose a surge in forces. Asked about the issue a week earlier, 61 percent were opposed to such a move.
Lloyd Austin, President-elect Joe Biden’s pick to lead the Pentagon, spent his Senate confirmation hearing on Jan. 19 pressing his civilian bona fides to lawmakers, with some pledging opposition to the waiver Austin would need to become the nation’s first Black Defense Secretary. Austin spent 40 years in the military…