Defense

Lawmakers Fire Back at Trump’s Plan to Divert Military Funds to Border Wall

But the bipartisan team of Smith and Thornberry have attracted few other GOPers to the effort.

Defense

Defense Policy Chief Ousted By White House

A Pentagon spokesman said he had “no information” that John Rood was fired for his role in Trump’s Ukraine scandal.

Defense

Senator Denies Threatening to Make Defense Secretary's Life 'Hell' If He Cuts AFRICOM Troops

"No, I never said that," Graham said in a brief phone call with Defense One. "It was a good conversation."

Defense

Trump Targets Major Weapons Projects To Fund Wall

The $4 billion in procurement reprogramming is part of a total of what is believed to be roughly $7 billion in military construction and counternarcotics funding that the White House is planning to divert.

Defense

Pentagon Nominee Who Questioned Ukraine Aid Holdup Denies Report About Her Ouster

A story from the New York Post ignited speculation that Elaine McCusker’s nomination could be withdrawn. It’s not clear that’s the case. Navy Petty Officer 2nd Class James Lee

Defense

Kenya Base ‘Surprisingly’ Undefended During Attack, U.S. Officials Say

The Jan. 5. attack by al-Shabaab killed three Americans came as the Pentagon considers a further drawdown of its African presence.

Defense

34 Injured in Iran Attack, Pentagon Now Says; Launches a Review of Reporting Procedures

Defense chief Mark Esper ordered a review of “processes for tracking and reporting injuries” after criticism in the wake of the Iranian missile attack.

Defense

As Toll Mounts, Trump Downplays Injuries Suffered in Iranian Attack

The president's dismissive statements about the brain trauma suffered by U.S. troops at Al Assad may reflect a considered attempt to de-escalate – or not.

Oversight

Meet the House Republicans Who Want to Rein In Trump On War

After the Soleimani strike, a working group of moderate Republicans and Democrats trying to “clarify” Congress’s war responsibilities hope they can build momentum.

Oversight

House Passes War Powers Resolution to Limit War With Iran

The measure is legally toothless, but could still have some political impact.

Defense

U.S., Iran Back Away From Conflict—For Now

The crisis appears to be cooling, at least for now, as U.S. lawmakers — and presumably the president — return their focus to the looming impeachment trial in the Senate.

Defense

Iran Launched Missiles at Iraqi Bases with U.S. Forces, Pentagon Says

More than a dozen ballistic missiles were fired at the Al-Assad air base in Anbar province and a base in Irbil, in Iraqi Kurdistan, a Defense statement said. 

Defense

Iraqi Lawmakers Ask Government to Expel U.S. Troops

Iraq analysts say the nonbinding vote is important but removal of U.S. troops is far from a done deal.

Defense

Why Trump and Biden Can’t Cut Troops in Afghanistan Much More

Even ‘bare minimum’ counterterrorism forces require critical intelligence only U.S. personnel can provide, officials warn.

Defense

Top U.S. General Defends Afghanistan War

CJCS Mark Milley denied that officials “lied” to the American public about the 18-year conflict.

Oversight

McConnell Asked White House For Sanctions Position, Dem Senator Says

The Senate majority leader is weighing the myriad sanctions proposals on the Hill, Sen. Van Hollen said at the Defense One Outlook 2020 conference. 

Defense

General: Trump Pullout Did Not Affect Baghdadi Raid Timing

“We struck because the time was about right,” said CENTCOM’s Gen. Frank McKenzie, of intelligence and other factors.

Defense

Pentagon Vows to Guard the Syrian Oil That Trump Wants to Seize

That includes warding off Syrian and Russian forces, SecDef Esper says, with murky justification under domestic and international law.