Video by Pentagon Channel

Bombs Halt Marathon
By Harold Hutchison

Piracy Drops, but Militants Carry Out Bloody Attack
By Harold Hutchison

Piracy around Somalia has declined significantly according to report from the International Maritime Organization, part of a general downward trend for piracy in general.

According to a report by VOA News, only five piracy incidents were reported off Somalia in the first quarter of 2013 – part of a 55 percent decline in attacks worldwide. Naval patrols have been particularly intense off Somalia. A total of 66 piracy incidents were reported worldwide.

Close Result in Venezuela Could Create Chaos
By Harold Hutchison

Nicolas Maduro, the chosen successor to deceased Venezuelan dictator Hugo Chavez, claimed victory in Sunday’s election for the presidency of Venezuela, with 50.7% of the vote. However, opposition candidate Henrique Caprilas is demanding a recount.

"Maduro and his government are the losers," Capriles said, as he claimed 300,000 incidents involving voters. Maduro was the chosen successor of Chavez, who died of cancer last month. The results showed a margin of victory of 235,000 votes.

First 100 Troops Leave Mali
By Harold Hutchison

As the first 100 French troops left Mali, a sign that France is ending an intervention against Islamist rebels aligned with al-Qaeda, many in Mali are wary of the departure, even as 11,000 African Union troops are slated to take over.

According to a report by VOA News, the French force is likely to decline to about 1,000 by the end of the year. The French did much of the heavy lifting the conflict.

Army Officer Labels FRC, AFA in E-mail
By Harold Hutchison

Christian groups like the Family Research Council and the American Family Association were labeled as “hate groups” by an Army officer in an e-mail sent to his subordinates. The officer, a Lt. Col. Jack Rich, wrote, “Just want to ensure everyone is somewhat educated on some of the groups out there that do not share our Army Values.”

Al-Qaeda in Iraq Merges With Syrian Jihadists
By Harold Hutchison

Jihadists in Syria are now formally allied with al-Qaeda in Iraq after the two groups have merged. The merger was announced by al-Qaeda in Iraq leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, who stated that his group was funding the Syrian jihadists.

According to a report by VOA News, the combination of al-Qaeda in Iraq and the al-Nusra Front will be called the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant. The al-Nusra Front has been responsible for a number of car bombings, including one in Damascus that killed 15 people yesterday.

“The families of those slain in Benghazi, our servicemen and women around the globe, and the American public deserve the truth - not the lies, misdirection, and stonewalling coming from President Obama.”

CAPT Larry Bailey, a retired U.S. Navy SEAL issued the following statement along with a letter signed by 700 veterans of the U.S. Special Operations community asking Members of Congress to support House Resolution 36, which would create a House Select Committee to investigate the terrorist attack in Benghazi.