Defense

After Secret Trump Meeting, Russia Offers to Resume Military Relations

Did Trump offer to normalize relations? It would be complicated — and Congress gets a vote.

Defense

‘I Believe in NATO’ Says Trump at Summit, Allaying Morning Fears of Pullout

To some surprise, the president gave his strongest backing for NATO yet, minutes after leaving an emergency meeting of alliance leaders to address his threats on spending levels.

Defense

Trump Reverses, Says He’ll Keep U.S. Troops in Syria

The president officially walked back last week’s off-the-cuff remark that the U.S. would leave Syria ‘very soon,’ leaving even more questions about the mission.

Defense

Russia ‘Incredibly Destabilizing’ as Syrian Conflict Threatens Region, Top U.S. General Warns

Weeks after Tillerson said the U.S. and Russia share a postwar vision, Votel says Moscow is playing both “arsonist and firefighter.”

Defense

U.S.-Backed Syrian Force Holding ‘Hundreds’ of ISIS Foreign Fighters

A day after CENTCOM'S leader says they should face prosecution at home, Trump hints at Gitmo option.

Defense

Turkey’s Attack on Kurds Tops U.S. Concerns in Syria, Even as ISIS Keeps Fighting

Over the past week, the leader of U.S. Central Command and other American military commanders in the region have sounded increasingly alarmed.

Management

McMaster: I’m Here to Serve, Not ‘Control the President’

The national security adviser says his job is to help the commander-in-chief by providing options and executing decisions to advance Trump’s agenda.

Defense

Will Anyone Care About Trump's Barely-Different Afghanistan War Plan?

Pull out. Stay in. Double down. It’s the military’s war until elected officials make it America’s war. And Americans won’t care by Wednesday, anyway.

Defense

Trump’s Transgender Troop Ban Sparks An Instant Opposition of Unusual Allies

The commander in chief tweet-declares a stunning change for military personnel, but it’s far from clear he can make it stick.

Defense

New Tactics, Quicker Decisions Are Helping to ‘Annihilate’ ISIS, Pentagon Says

The military’s top leaders credit Trump for delegating authority and directing efforts to surround ISIS fighters.

Defense

Spy Chief Searching for Cuts Across Entire U.S. Intelligence Community

Trump's new intelligence chief, Dan Coats, says he’s already moving on GOP lawmakers’ request to streamline all 17 agencies, including his own ODNI.

Defense

ISIS-in-Afghanistan Is Losing Recruits to Other Groups, U.S. Officials Say

James Mattis says he’s made no decision on adding troops, but warns of a confrontation if Russia continues to arm the Taliban.

Defense

‘No Doubt’ Syria Behind Chemical Attack, Mattis Says

And Trump’s rush order for a counter-ISIS plan, remains just a “skeleton,” Mattis said. "It's going to take time."

Defense

What One Joint Chief Of Staff Thinks of Trump

Do the generals have too much influence? I asked the U.S. Air Force’s top military leader.

Defense

Afghanistan Needs ‘Thousands’ More Troops, U.S. General Says in New Assessment

The commander of U.S. forces lays the first major war decision on President Donald Trump’s desk.

Defense

What You Don’t Know About Gen. John Kelly

The four-star Southie boy from Boston brings to DHS the grief of losing friends to America’s drug epidemic and a son to the war on terrorism.

Defense

Trump ISIS Strategy Worries Top House Armed Services Democrat

HASC's Rep. Adam Smith, in a C-SPAN-hosted interview, challenged Trump's incoming team to produce a national security strategy that doesn’t alienate the U.S. military's Muslim partners fighting terrorism.

Defense

Trump’s Long List of National Security Unknowns

Nobody knows what the president-elect will do about ISIS, NATO, or the size and shape of the U.S. military and intelligence workforce.

Defense

U.S. Special Operators Accelerate Killings of ISIS Leaders

Defense Secretary Ash Carter says this will weaken Mosul’s defenders and stop attacks in the United States.