Threats
Mattis Treads Carefully on Khashoggi Crisis
The defense secretary condemned the killing of the Washington Post columnist but did not accuse Saudi Arabia, in keynote speech at security conference on the Persian Gulf.
Policy
US: Afghan Security Strategy Is ‘Working,’ Despite Insider Attacks
A Pentagon spokesman cites a two-thirds decrease in attacks since the war’s peak eight years ago.
Policy
Khashoggi Situation Won’t Stop Saudi Arms Sales, But Could Slow Them
When it comes to blocking U.S. arms sales to foreign countries, Congress has a mixed track record.
Policy
Curtailing Korean Exercises Comes at a Price, Says USMC Commandant
Gen. Neller says training on the Korean peninsula is an integral — if not quite irreplaceable — part of Marine readiness.
Threats
Russia is Winning the Information War in Iraq and Syria: UK General
Moscow is “better than us” in using social media to shape the strategic landscape, says a former deputy commander of the West’s anti-ISIS coalition.
Policy
‘It’s Complete Folly’: Hagel Says Trump Administration Can’t Threaten Iran Out of Syria
“I don't know what our foreign policy objective is in the Middle East or almost anywhere else,” says former defense secretary at Defense One interview.
Policy
Trump Officials Target Iran, Raising Question of US Military’s Role in Mideast
Some fear the strategy opens the door to strikes on Iranian forces inside Syria — and direct armed conflict with Tehran.
Threats
US Official: We May Cut Support for Iraq If New Government Seats Pro-Iran Politicians
The senior administration official’s warning is the latest tack in a largely fruitless bid to shape a new governing coalition in Baghdad.
Policy
A Solitary and Defiant Message to the UN In Trump’s Second Speech
“We reject the ideology of globalism. And we embrace the doctrine of patriotism,” Trump told world leaders.
Threats
US Army to Up-Armor Two More Brigades
An infantry unit will get Strykers, and a Stryker brigade will shift to tanks, part of the Pentagon's focus on great-power competition.
Policy
Trump's Order to Reveal Docs Could Undermine Secret Court System
‘No one should be happy about the weaponization of declassification.’
Policy
McCain’s Likely SASC Successor Is No GOP Maverick
Sen. Jim Inhofe’s record suggests his Armed Services Committee will hew even more closely to Trump.
Policy
Downplaying Ghazni, Mattis Defends Trump’s Afghanistan Strategy
The Taliban’s apparent willingness to negotiate is the more important signal of progress in America’s longest war, the defense secretary said Tuesday.
Threats
Trump’s Afghanistan War Plan Is Working Despite Recent Attacks, Outgoing Commander Says
Facing renewed criticism, Gen. John Nicholson said the president’s year-old South Asia strategy was bringing Afghanistan closer to peace.
Policy
Trump's Unprecedented Retaliation Draws Unprecedented Rebukes
A dozen former spy chiefs slammed the president after he yanked Brennan's clearance. What comes next?
Policy
Pence Makes Hard Sell For Trump's Space Force by 2020
The administration wants a new military service branch, but space mission's future in the Pentagon and Congress is far from certain.
Policy