Oct 09 Pentagon to end Syrian rebel training program By Robert Burns, Lolita C. Baldor, Associated Press LONDON — The U.S. will change the failed Syrian rebel training program to focus efforts on working with capable Kurdish and other forces in Syria, U.S. Defense Secretary Ash Carter said Friday. Continue reading
Oct 07 Russia escalates attacks in Syria with cruise missiles By Margaret Sessa-Hawkins Russia began launching cruise missiles into Syria from warships in the Caspian Sea in coordination with Syrian ground troops Wednesday. Continue reading
Oct 07 U.S. not cooperating with Russia against Islamic State, Carter says By Lolita C. Baldor, Associated Press ROME — U.S. Defense Secretary Ash Carter said Wednesday the U.S.-led coalition has not agreed to cooperate with Russia in the fight against the Islamic State and no collaboration is possible as long as Moscow continues to strike other targets. Continue reading
Oct 06 Airstrike on Kunduz hospital a mistake, U.S. commander says By Deb Riechmann, Associated Press WASHINGTON — The deadly American attack on a hospital in northern Afghanistan occurred despite "rigorous" U.S. military procedures designed to avoid such mistakes, the top commander of U.S. and allied forces in Afghanistan said Tuesday. Continue reading
Oct 05 Afghans requested U.S. airstrike that hit hospital, U.S. commander says By Robert Burns, Associated Press WASHINGTON — Afghan forces who reported being under Taliban fire requested the U.S. airstrike that killed 22 people at a medical clinic in northern Afghanistan over the weekend, the top commander of American and coalition forces in Afghanistan said Monday,… Continue reading
Oct 03 Clinton to make LGBT rights a campaign focus By Lisa Lerer, Associated Press Hillary Rodham Clinton on Saturday delivered the strongest statement of support for gay rights in the 2016 presidential race when she promised that ending discrimination against gay, lesbian and transgender people would be a central pillar of her administration. Continue reading
Aug 28 Pentagon funding new high-tech venture By Lolita C. Baldor, Associated Press Defense Secretary Ash Carter will announce Friday that the Pentagon is funding a new venture to develop cutting-edge electronics and sensors that can flex and stretch and could be built into clothing or the skins of ships and aircraft. Continue reading
Aug 26 Pentagon probing alleged distorting of war intelligence By Robert Burns, Associated Press The Pentagon's inspector general is investigating an allegation that the military command overseeing the anti-Islamic State campaign distorted or altered intelligence assessments to exaggerate progress against the militant group, a defense official said Wednesday. Continue reading
Aug 21 Watch 3:52 Female warriors make history as first Army Ranger grads By PBS News Hour At an Army Ranger graduation unlike any other in history, there were two women among 94 men who survived the grueling nine-week course. Despite the praise, Capt. Kristen Griest and First Lt. Shaye Haver are not eligible to join the… Continue watching
Jul 30 Defense secretary wants security policy review after Chattanooga attacks By Kevin Freking, Associated Press Secretary of Defense Ash Carter is directing the military branches to review security policies — including adding armed personnel — in the wake of the July 16 attacks at a Chattanooga Navy-Marine reserve center that killed four Marines and a… Continue reading