World Oct 21

The Pentagon chief said the plan was still in the discussion phase and had not yet been presented to Trump, who has repeatedly said the Islamic State has been defeated.

Politics Oct 20

Mark Esper sought a firsthand assessment Sunday of the U.S. military's future role in America's longest war as he made his initial visit to Afghanistan as Pentagon chief.

Nation Oct 20

U.S. Defense Secretary Mark Esper says that under current plans all U.S. troops leaving Syria will go to western Iraq and the American military will continue to conduct operations against the Islamic State group to prevent its resurgence.

World Oct 11

Washington is "greatly disappointed" by the Turkish incursion, Defense Secretary Mark Esper told a Pentagon news conference.

World Oct 11

Esper announced the deployment of several dozen fighter jets along with other aircraft and additional air defenses hours after Iran said two missiles struck one of its oil tankers traveling through the Red Sea off the coast of Saudi Arabia.

Nation Oct 10

The two men killed a number of people including journalist James Foley and fellow Americans Steven Sotloff and Peter Kassig.

World Oct 07

The U.S. move essentially abandons Kurdish fighters who fought alongside American forces in the yearslong battle to defeat Islamic State militants.

Politics Oct 05

The State Department has been deeply shaken by the rapidly escalating impeachment inquiry, as revelations that President Donald Trump enlisted diplomats to dig up dirt on a political rival threaten to tarnish its reputation as a nonpartisan arm of U.S.

World Sep 26

Two more Patriot batteries and a THAAD missile defense system will be prepared to go later if needed, and the deployment will involve about 200 troops.

World Sep 20

U.S. officials say the president will be presented with a list of potential airstrike targets inside Iran, among other possible responses.