US Army Chief Concerned About Backlash Against Muslim Troops After Fort Hood Shooting

US Chief of Army Staff General George Casey Jr. expressed concern about the possibility of a backlash against Muslim troops in the wake of the deadly shooting at Fort Hood in Texas. The incident, carried out by US Army Major Nidal Malik Hasan, has left 12 soldiers and a civilian dead, with dozens more wounded. General Casey acknowledged that the US Army is keen to prevent bias against its more than 3,000 Muslim soldiers, while also emphasizing the Army's efforts to prepare and support soldiers for the mental stress of combat.

Key Takeaways:

• General George Casey Jr. expressed concern about a potential backlash against Muslim troops following the Fort Hood shooting.
• The incident, carried out by US Army Major Nidal Malik Hasan, resulted in the deaths of 12 soldiers and a civilian, with dozens more wounded.
• The US Army has more than 3,000 Muslim soldiers and is keen to prevent bias against them.
• General Casey acknowledged that fighting two wars has put strains on the Army and its soldiers, but emphasized efforts to prepare and support soldiers for mental stress.
• Senator Joseph I. Lieberman has called the shooting "the most destructive terrorist act to be committed on American soil since 9/11" and intends to investigate Major Hasan's motives.
• General Casey has appeared on multiple Sunday news programs, using similar language to address concerns about diversity and bias within the Army.
• Major Hasan is an American-born psychiatrist and the son of Palestinian immigrants, who has been listed in stable but critical condition.
• Investigators have concluded that Major Hasan acted alone and was not part of a terrorist plot.

Statistics:

• 12 soldiers and a civilian were killed in the Fort Hood shooting.
• Dozens of soldiers were wounded in the incident.
• 16 of the wounded remained hospitalized, with 7 in intensive care.
• Major Nidal Malik Hasan is a 39-year-old psychiatrist and an American-born son of Palestinian immigrants.
• The US Army has more than 3,000 Muslim soldiers.

Sources:

• ANI New York, Nov.9 (ANI): US Chief of Army Staff, General George Casey Jr., has said that he is concerned about the possibility of Muslim troopers experiencing a backlash in the wake of Major Nidal Malik Hasan's move to kill 12 fellow soldiers and a civilian, besides wounding dozens of others, at Fort Hood in Texas.
• CNN's "State of the Union"
• "Fox News Sunday"
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