Defense

SEALs were on Afghan rescue mission when killed

The 22 Navy SEALs and 16 other troops were trying to reinforce another detachment pinned down in a mission targeting a key Taliban leader, coalition says.

Defense

Army shortens tours in Iraq and Afghanistan

Combat troops will soon deploy for nine months, rather than a year.

Defense

Panetta: Across-the-board Defense cuts 'unacceptable'

Failure of congressional deficit-cutting committee to do its job would result in 'dangerous' spending decreases, Pentagon chief says.

Defense

Acting special inspector general for Afghanistan quits

Herb Richardson's resignation injects new uncertainty into the troubled watchdog office.

Defense

IED attacks in Afghanistan hit all-time high

Official says it is critical to go after the source of materials for making the crude but deadly improvised explosive devices.

Defense

Ashton Carter named as new deputy secretary of Defense

The physicist currently serves as the undersecretary of Defense for acquisition, technology and logistics.

Defense

Record number of U.S. troops killed by Iranian weapons

Commanders in Iraq say Tehran is pushing to gain influence in the region.

Defense

Thwarted Fort Hood terror attack raises new questions about radicalism within military

Base was the site of a 2009 rampage that left 13 people dead.

Defense

Watchdog says U.S. aid money in Afghanistan may be fueling insurgency

SIGAR audit paints a dispiriting picture of a massive U.S. aid effort that's effectiveness has been seriously impaired.

Defense

Another threat to U.S. forces in southern Afghanistan -- snipers

Sniper problem is particularly acute in contested regions of Helmand, such as Sangin and Garesh, official says.

Defense

Second living Medal of Honor recipient of Iraq and Afghanistan wars to be recognized

For Sgt. Leroy Petry, a long and unusual path ends with the military's highest commendation.

Defense

Condolence letters for suicides fuel debate over war wounds

How the military should look at suicides is a subset of a broader debate about what it means to be a casualty of Iraq or Afghanistan..

Defense

U.S. to shift troops in Afghanistan

Troops will shift from southern Afghanistan to the country’s violent eastern provinces, general says.

Defense

Army opens court-martial proceedings against suspected Fort Hood shooter

Maj. Nidal Hasan faces death if convicted of 2009 shootings.

Defense

Gates leaves the Pentagon with his final legacy unclear

Outcomes of two major initiatives -- the war in Afghanistan and Defense budget cuts -- remain to be seen.

News

With Afghan timetable in place, two senior officials are moving on

Top adviser and head of Pakistan Afghanistan Coordination Cell will step aside soon, sources say.

Defense

U.S. to begin 'thinning out' its Afghan forces

Initial changes will generally involve shifting troops around within the country, not taking them out entirely.

Defense

President sides with Gates over Petraeus on Afghan plan

Defense secretary will retire from public service next week with another big bureaucratic win under his belt.

Defense

Petraeus acknowledges differences with Obama over Afghan drawdown

President's plan is significantly faster than the general had wanted.

Defense

As Afghanistan drawdown approaches, Obama faces new political landscape

The president will unveil his troop withdrawal decision Wednesday, ending weeks of fevered speculation about the course of the unpopular war.