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

US Agrees to Lift Sanctions on Turkey in Syria ‘Ceasefire’ Deal

“From what I understand it’s not a ceasefire,” Sen Marco Rubio, R-Fla., told reporters on Capitol Hill. “You have one-hundred-and-X number of hours to get out of here before we kill you.”

Defense

Defense Secretary: I Can't Put Forces Between Turks and Kurds

Esper explained why the U.S.-backed rebels will get no air cover or other help. But he couldn't explain why U.S. troops were moved after this particular Turkish threat to invade.

Defense

Anti-ISIS Operations In Syria Cease Amid Turkish Assault

“The SDF is clearly focused on the northern border to protect their forces,” a defense official said.

Defense

As Assault Begins, Trump Vows to Make Turkey Keep Its Word While Lawmakers Vow Punishment

The president said 'far more than sanctions' awaits Turkey if its assault taking over northern Syria is not 'as humane as possible.'

Defense

Syrian Decision Rekindles Fear of ISIS Prison Breaks

Pentagon and State Department officials have raised alarms for months about the makeshift prisons.

Defense

Trump's New Joint Chiefs Chair Is A Savvy Political Operator

The question is: how will Gen. Mark Milley work with the U.S. president?

Defense

Pentagon Caught In The Middle Of Trump's Ukraine Scandal

Some presidential allies want to hang the security-aid freeze on the Defense Department. There’s no evidence for that.

Defense

White House Used Classified System to Hide Trump’s Phone Call: Whistleblower

The IC employee wrote that the July 25 call to Ukraine was not the only time documents had been improperly hidden in codeword-level systems.

Oversight

House Democrats Announce Formal Impeachment Probe — Sort Of

It’s far from clear whether House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s go-slow strategy has changed.

Defense

Trump Approves ‘Defensive’ Deployment to Middle East

The U.S. will increase air and missile defenses from Iran at the request of Saudi Arabia and the UAE, Pentagon leaders said.

Defense

Trump Names Robert O’Brien His 4th National Security Advisor

A lawyer by trade, former Bush delegate at the UN, and campaign advisor to Mitt Romney and Scott Walker, O’Brien has been serving as special envoy for hostage affairs.

Defense

Analysis: Mike Pompeo Is Bigger Than the Pentagon — For Now

“I think that Pompeo is now running foreign policy in the Trump administration in the way that Cheney ran it in the Bush administration,” said one analyst.

Defense

SecAF Pick: No Need to Ban Military Use of Trump Properties

Any regulations “should not be specific to any particular owner,” says Barbara Barrett.

Management

Bolton Fired as National Security Adviser. Who's Next?

Trump's third NSA is let go after being sidelined at major international events.

Defense

Once Again, Trump Lurches to End a War, But Troops Remain

The collapse of talks with the Taliban raises questions about the president’s willingness to bring troops home from costly engagements overseas.

Defense

Alleged Israeli Strikes Bring U.S. to Crossroads in Iraq

The Pentagon is worried that attacks on Iran-linked targets could damage its relationship with Baghdad. But what does the White House want?

Defense

Dunford: Peace Agreement With The Taliban Is ‘Worth Trying’

“I’m not using the ‘withdrawal’ word right now,” the Pentagon’s top uniformed leader said Wednesday.

Defense

Trump Threatens to ‘Release’ ISIS Fighters into France, Germany

The president wants European governments to repatriate and try citizens being held by Syrian resistance forces.

Defense

U.S. Army: No Afghanistan Withdrawal Plans Yet

“We have not received any direction to do anything at this point,” says Acting Army Secretary Ryan McCarthy.