Defense
ISIS Leader Baghdadi Killed Himself During U.S. Special Ops Raid, Trump Confirms
Trump claims, against the evidence, that killing Baghdadi was administration's "top national security priority."
Defense
Trump Declares Victory in Syria, Claims Credit for It All
“Let someone else fight over this long-bloodstained sand,” the president says, as Congress fumes.
Defense
Viewpoint: The Mattis Two-Step
The forever general’s attempt to "stay out of politics" is bringing him right into it.
Defense
General’s Sexual Assault Accuser Was Deemed a ‘Toxic, Self-Centered Abuser,’ New Docs Reveal
Hundreds of previously unseen pages of two investigations paint Army Col. Kathryn Spletstoser as an abusive coworker with motive for revenge against Gen. John Hyten.
Defense
Trump Says U.S. Troops Shouldn’t Be ‘Policemen’ in Afghanistan. So Why Are They There?
In a puzzling Oval Office press conference, the commander-in-chief throws his purported strategy into doubt.
Management
Esper Assures Wary Senators He'll Keep Military Out of Politics
During his confirmation hearing, the SecDef nominee was asked about Trump, China, and Russia — and not Afghanistan, ISIS, or al-Qaeda.
Defense
Countries May Begin Backfilling U.S. Troops in Syria Within Weeks, Envoy Says
In an exclusive interview, Amb. Jim Jeffrey also confirmed a breakthrough agreement that could restart the Geneva peace process.
Defense
Top Diplomat Slams ‘Endless War’ Cries of Campaign Trail as ‘the Echo of the 1930s’
“I get terribly worried. Because this shows total ignorance of what’s going on in the world today,” Ambassador Jim Jeffrey says.
Defense
U.S. Blames Tanker Attacks On Iran; CENTCOM Releases Surveillance Video
Military officials say imagery shows Iranians in boats at the tankers, handling a mine and trying to capture crew members.
Defense
Trump’s Counter-Iran Moves Are Provocative, But They’re Not War
Truly bad messaging is undermining trust among allies and the American public — and increasing the chance of accidental escalation.
Defense
Trump Picks New Top NATO Commander
Top U.S. Air Force general in Europe will lead alliance as Trump officials continue to berate members for more money.
Defense
Army Chief Confirms U.S. Will Hand off ISIS Fight in Syria
Gen. Mark Milley is the first senior military official to say the military is proceeding in Syria as Trump wishes.
Defense
Vaporizing Another Norm, Trump Goes Partisan Inside the Pentagon
The president uses a missile-defense policy rollout to bash Democrats before the military’s senior leaders.
Defense
China’s Military Is Getting Better at a Lot of Things at Once: Pentagon Intelligence
The DIA’s first public report cites rapid advances, extended reach, and increasing confidence.
Defense
The CIA Presented a ‘Smoking Gun’ on Khashoggi. What’s the Senate Going to Do About it?
Lindsey Graham and others emerged from a CIA briefing convinced that Trump and SecDef Mattis are wrong about the murder.
Defense
Pentagon Began Clampdown on Senior Leaders’ Public Speaking Months Ago, Memos Reveal
DOD says it’s to save money and time. Critics say it’s to avoid conflict with the president.
Defense
U.S. Military Leaders Keep Quiet on Saudi Arabia Amid Khashoggi Outrage
The Pentagon has long accepted Saudi abuses as the price of friendship. The latest won’t change that.
Defense
In Pacific, U.S. Army Shifts Training from Disaster Relief to War
The change reflects Trump’s defense strategy and rising threats from China and North Korea.
Defense
Pentagon Declares War on Scooters
After seven rental scooters were abandoned at the Pentagon following this year’s September 11 remembrances, police say they will begin impounding the unauthorized rides. Bikes, too.
Defense