Robert’s Recent Stories
World Aug 22
Mattis in Baghdad to meet with Iraqi leaders, U.S. commandersIslamic State militants, driven from their main stronghold in northern Iraq, are trapped in a military vise that will squeeze them on both sides of the Syria-Iraq border, U.S. Defense Secretary Jim Mattis said.
World Aug 21
WATCH: Trump says U.S. can’t afford ‘hasty’ withdrawal from AfghanistanIn a prime-time address to the nation, Trump said his "original instinct was to pull out." Since taking office, Trump said, he'd determined that approach could create a vacuum that terrorists including al-Qaida and the Islamic State could "instantly fill."…
World Aug 17
WATCH: Mattis says U.S. is close to new approach in AfghanistanMattis told reporters talks at Camp David this weekend "will move this toward a decision."…
World Aug 14
U.S. would ‘take out’ any North Korean missile aimed at American soil, defense secretary saysWASHINGTON — The United States would “take out” any North Korean missile seen to be heading for American soil, Defense Secretary Jim Mattis said Monday. He declared that any such North Korean attack could lead to war. Responding to reporters’…
World Jul 21
U.S. still debating ‘big ideas’ on Afghan plan, says MattisDefense Secretary Jim Mattis says the Trump administration is still trying to get right what he calls "the big ideas" for a new Afghanistan war strategy. Mattis was asked what is holding up the administration's strategy review at an impromptu…
World Jun 27
Pentagon says it detected ‘active preparations’ by Syria for chemical attackThe Pentagon said it detected "active preparations" by Syria for a chemical weapons attack, giving weight to a White House statement hours earlier that the Syrian government would "pay a heavy price" if it carried out such an attack.
World Jun 25
War and waste: Cautionary tales as U.S. ponders Afghan boostThese tales help explain why some in Congress question the wisdom of investing even more resources in Afghanistan, nearly 16 years after the United States invaded the Taliban-ruled country.
World Jun 19
Syria brings new urgency to easing tensions between U.S. and RussiaAs Syria's complex war ramps up, the Trump administration is scrambling to tamp down tensions and avoid open hostilities with the Russians.
Nation Jun 14
Mattis: Trump has delegated decisions on Afghan troop levelsWASHINGTON — Defense Secretary Jim Mattis said Wednesday he can now set U.S. troop levels in Afghanistan after receiving the authority from President Donald Trump. It's a break from past practice that Mattis said will enable him to more effectively…
Politics Jun 03
Pentagon chief turns up heat on North Korea and ChinaU.S. Defense Secretary Jim Mattis turned up the heat on North Korea and its main benefactor, China, on Saturday, calling the North Koreans a "clear and present danger."…
