The Senate last week approved the nomination of Gen. James Amos to be the Marine Corps Commandant. He is slated to assume the post on Oct. 22. He will be the 35th leader of the leathernecks in their storied history and the first career aviator to lead the corps. President Obama in July nominated Amos for the position. Amos, who has served since July 2008 as assistant commandant, will replace Gen. James Conway, who has led the Marine Corps since November 2006 and is retiring. (See AFPS report by Donna Miles)
Earlier this week, the People’s Republic of China confirmed it is halting its nuclear arms control talks with the U.S., in retaliation for the U.S. continuing to sell arms to Taiwan. The move reinforces a “pattern of behavior” from Beijing, experts say.