CNN 2011-09-27

 First up, Libya steps into the spotlight¹ at the annual meeting of the United Nations General Assembly. The North African country is in the middle of a revolution that removed long-time leader Moammar Gadhafi from power.

 

Yesterday, the U.N. welcomed Libya`s new leadership into the global organization. The moment came with a symbolic<sup>2</sup> gesture. The flag on the left is the United Nations` flag. The one on the right is the new flag of Libya. It was part of a ceremony inside the U.N.

 

It`s flying outside the building, too, along with the flags of other member countries. Later in the day, members of the General Assembly discussed the future of Libya. The fighting hasn`t stopped in that country. But these world leaders were planning ways to help Libya rebuild after its civil war is over.

 

Next up, the end of the U.S. military`s "Don`t Ask/Don`t Tell" policy. The controversial rule officially expired yesterday, that said that gays and lesbians serving in the U.S. military couldn`t tell anyone that they were homosexual, and they couldn`t be asked about it, either.

 

But if their sexual orientation³ became public they could be discharged. The Service Members` Legal Defense<sup>4</sup> Network says more than 14,000 people were removed from the military because of "Don`t Ask/Don`t Tell". 

 

With the rule gone, critics are worried that allowing homosexuals to serve openly could make other troops uncomfortable and possibly less effective. U.S. Senator Carl Levin, who pushed for the end of "Don`t Ask/Don`t Tell" called the moment, quote, "an important victory, not just for quality, but for integrity." 

 

Around 90,000 members of the U.S. military are in Afghanistan. The goal for them and troops of other nations is to leave Afghanistan by the end of 2014. But in order to do that, they need to make sure that the Afghan military can take over its own country`s security.

 

And one of the biggest challenges is Afghanistan`s terrain<sup>5</sup>. It`s something that Suzanne Malveaux discovered when she went along for a ride with Afghanistan`s developing air force.

 

Getting around Afghanistan is tough. It`s the size of Texas, but has poor roads, extreme weather and rugged⁶ terrain. Travelers are often the target of insurgent⁷ attacks.

 

We are taken on a training exercise aboard a Russian-made MI-17, often used for battlefield operations. On this day, we fly across a huge lake 20 miles east of Kabul. It`s a desolate⁸ area, but strategically important for supplying those fighting the Taliban.

 

Tell me a little bit about the mission, Americans, alongside the Afghans, flying these things.

 

Well, and it`s not only just the Americans and the Afghans. It`s Americans in our squadron, Kuwaitians,folks from the Czech Republic and from Hungary, all of which are providing training in the helicopters that you see there. So it`s been the ride of my life so far, with respect to.

 

Mine, too.

 

Yes. But it`s just been a phenomenal job.

 

And we saw some pretty rough terrain. They explained to us how important it is to have these helicopters in and out. I mean, it seems like it really is the best way to learn about these mountains, and how to supply these routes, yes?

 

Yes, the options that you have are a donkey, possibly, or a helicopter. A lot of times, again, as you can see with the rough terrain, especially as you go out to the northeast of where we are, it just gets worse.

 

How important is it to make sure that the Afghans are able to fly these helicopters, not only as helicopters, but some more advanced aircraft, too?

 

Well, the -- it`s a -- it`s a fairly expensive asset. I mean, it`s $12 million, each one of those helicopters that we have out there. And, you know, they need to make sure, in the leadership of Afghanistan, wants to make sure that the people that we have flying can handle that $12 million asset.

1 spotlight   

n.公众注意的中心，聚光灯，探照灯，视听，注意，醒目

参考例句：

• This week the spotlight is on the world of fashion.本周引人瞩目的是时装界。
• The spotlight followed her round the stage.聚光灯的光圈随着她在舞台上转。

2 symbolic   

adj.象征性的，符号的，象征主义的

参考例句：

• It is symbolic of the fighting spirit of modern womanhood.它象征着现代妇女的战斗精神。
• The Christian ceremony of baptism is a symbolic act.基督教的洗礼仪式是一种象征性的做法。

3 orientation   

n.方向，目标；熟悉，适应，情况介绍

参考例句：

• Children need some orientation when they go to school.小孩子上学时需要适应。
• The traveller found his orientation with the aid of a good map.旅行者借助一幅好地图得知自己的方向。

4 defense   

n.防御，保卫；[pl.]防务工事；辩护，答辩

参考例句：

• The accused has the right to defense.被告人有权获得辩护。
• The war has impacted the area with military and defense workers.战争使那个地区挤满了军队和防御工程人员。

5 terrain   

n.地面，地形，地图

参考例句：

• He had made a detailed study of the terrain.他对地形作了缜密的研究。
• He knows the terrain of this locality like the back of his hand.他对这一带的地形了如指掌。

6 rugged   

adj.高低不平的，粗糙的，粗壮的，强健的

参考例句：

• Football players must be rugged.足球运动员必须健壮。
• The Rocky Mountains have rugged mountains and roads.落基山脉有崇山峻岭和崎岖不平的道路。

7 insurgent   

adj.叛乱的，起事的；n.叛乱分子

参考例句：

• Faruk says they are threatened both by insurgent and government forces.法鲁克说，他们受到暴乱分子和政府军队的双重威胁。
• The insurgent mob assembled at the gate of the city park.叛变的暴徒聚在市立公园的门口。

8 desolate   

adj.荒凉的，荒芜的；孤独的，凄凉的；v.使荒芜，使孤寂

参考例句：

• The city was burned into a desolate waste.那座城市被烧成一片废墟。
• We all felt absolutely desolate when she left.她走后，我们都觉得万分孤寂。