Jun 11 Watch Lawmakers blast Hagel over failure to communicate on Bergdahl deal By PBS News Hour Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel defended the prisoner swap for Sgt. Bowe Bergdahl at a Congressional hearing, the first time an administration official has testified publicly on the deal, saying the U.S. “needed to act swiftly.” Meanwhile, the Washington Post reported… Continue watching
Jun 04 Watch News Wrap: ‘Don’t come back to Afghanistan,’ Taliban fighter tells Bergdahl in video By PBS News Hour Continue watching
Jun 01 Hagel: Sgt. Bergdahl’s life was in danger before prisoner trade By Julie Pace, Associated Press U.S. Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel said Sunday the military operation to free Sgt. Bowe Bergdahl from the Taliban in exchange for the release of five Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, detainees was not relayed to Congress because officials believed the soldier's life… Continue reading
May 30 Russia pulls back most of its forces from Ukrainian border By Lolita C. Baldor, Associated Press U.S. defense officials said Thursday that Russia has pulled most of its forces away from the Ukraine border, a withdrawal that the U.S. has been demanding for weeks. They said about seven battalions remained, amounting to a couple of thousand… Continue reading
May 23 Watch News Wrap: Ousted Thai prime minister detained by military By PBS News Hour In our news wrap Friday, Thailand’s ousted prime minister was detained and 150 political leaders were barred from leaving the country. In response, the U.S. suspended $3.5 million in military aid to Thailand. Also, Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel told CBS… Continue watching
May 11 Hagel: Military should review policy on transgender individuals By Associated Press Hagel did not indicate whether he believes the policy should be overturned. However, he said "every qualified American who wants to serve our country should have an opportunity if they fit the qualifications and can do it."… Continue reading
May 01 Watch Does rise in military sexual assault reporting signal progress in the crisis? By PBS News Hour Continue watching
May 01 Reports of military sexual assault rose 50 percent, Pentagon finds By Lolita C. Baldor, Associated Press WASHINGTON -- Reports of sexual assaults by members of the military rose 50 percent after the Pentagon began a vigorous campaign to get more victims to come forward, prompting defense officials to order a greater focus on prevention programs, including… Continue reading
Apr 24 Taliban signals willingness to release captive U.S. soldier, military officials say By Deb Riechmann, Associated Press WASHINGTON -- The captors of an American soldier held for nearly five years in Afghanistan have signaled a willingness to release him but are unclear which U.S. government officials have the authority to make a deal, according to two individuals… Continue reading
Apr 10 Photos: Hagel visits Mongolia to sign agreement, receives horse By Justin Scuiletti U.S. Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel signed a joint vision statement with Mongolian Defense Minister Dashdemberal Bat-Erdene Thursday at Mongolia's Ministry of Defense in Ulan Bator, Mongolia. The agreement calls for more U.S. military exercises with Mongolia as the country… Continue reading