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

U.S. Spy Chief: ‘I Don’t Know What Happened’ in Helsinki

Director of National Intelligence Coats got another surprise Thursday: Putin is coming to town.