Nation Aug 31 The last American troop leaves Afghanistan Thousands of troops had spent a harrowing two weeks protecting the airlift of tens of thousands of Afghans, Americans and others seeking to escape a country once again ruled by Taliban militants.
Politics Jun 25 WATCH: Biden vows ‘sustained’ help as Afghanistan drawdown nears The leaders' visit to Washington comes as the Biden administration has stepped up plans for withdrawal ahead of the president's Sept. 11 deadline to end a nearly 20-year old war that has come with a breathtaking enormous cost.
Nation May 06 U.S. sends more warplanes to protect pullout from Afghanistan U.S. officials said before the withdrawal began that they expected the Taliban to attempt to interfere, even as the insurgents continue pressuring government forces, especially in Helmand and Kandahar provinces in southern Afghanistan.
Nation Jan 14 National Guard troops flooding in as Washington locks down U.S. officials say the number of National Guard troops coming to Washington by Inauguration Day has grown to 26,000. Some will be armed.
Politics Oct 25 Esper says U.S. troops, armored vehicles going to Syria oil fields The U.S. will send armored reinforcements into eastern Syria to bolster defenses against a potential move by Islamic State militants on oil fields controlled by U.S.-backed Syrian Kurds, U.S. Defense Secretary Mark Esper said Friday.
World Oct 24 U.S. defense secretary calls Turkey’s offensive in Syria ‘unwarranted’ Mark Esper said the invasion of northeastern Syria jeopardizes gains made in in recent years as the U.S.-led coalition and allied Syrian Kurdish forces battled the Islamic State group.
World Oct 23 Defense secretary in Baghdad to discuss U.S. troops leaving Syria Mark Esper has said that under the current plan, all U.S. troops leaving Syria will go to western Iraq and the military would continue to conduct operations against the Islamic State.
World Oct 21 U.S. may now keep some troops in Syria to guard oil fields 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 U.S. defense chief in Afghanistan for firsthand look at war 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 Pentagon chief says US troops leaving Syria for western Iraq 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.