Dec 21 Large U.S. troop pullout planned in Afghanistan, officials say By Lolita C. Baldor, Associated Press The Pentagon is developing plans to withdraw up to half of the 14,000 American troops serving in Afghanistan, U.S. officials said Thursday, marking a sharp change in the Trump administration's policy aimed at forcing the Taliban to the peace table… Continue reading
Dec 20 Pentagon scrambles to devise Syria exit amid outrage about abrupt pullout By Robert Burns, Lolita C. Baldor, Associated Press The Pentagon, roiled first by the surprise withdrawal order from Trump and then the abrupt resignation of Mattis, offered no information about how the withdrawal will happen or how long it will take, apparently because they don't know. Continue reading
Nov 13 Defense Secretary Mattis plans to visit U.S.-Mexico border By Associated Press Mattis said the military's mission on the border has not changed "at this time," even though the lead migrant caravan is no longer headed toward south Texas. Continue reading
Nov 09 U.S., China hold security talks amid trade tensions By Matthew Pennington, Associated Press Even as the United States and China butt heads over trade, their top diplomats and defense chiefs were meeting in Washington on Friday, looking to tamp down tensions on other issues that have put a chill on relations between the… Continue reading
Oct 27 U.S. defense chief: Killing of writer is threat to stability By Lolita C. Baldor, Associated Press The killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi “undermines regional stability” and the U.S. State Department plans to take further action in response to the killing, U.S. Defense Secretary Jim Mattis said Saturday. Continue reading
Sep 04 Watch 4:15 Woodward’s White House book portrays officials trying to rein in Trump A new book about the Trump White House describes a "nervous breakdown" within the executive branch. In "Fear," award-winning Washington Post editor Bob Woodward chronicles episodes like a Cabinet member removing documents from the president's desk so he wouldn’t sign… Continue watching
Aug 28 WATCH: Mattis says U.S. still backs Saudi coalition to limit Yemen deaths By Robert Burns, Associated Press Defense Secretary Jim Mattis said Tuesday the U.S. intends to continue backing the Saudi-led coalition fighting Houthi rebels in Yemen despite civilian casualties and questions about the Saudis' commitment to avoiding killing innocents. Continue reading
Aug 17 Trump nixes $92 million parade, says 2019 costs will be ‘WAY DOWN’ By Catherine Lucey, Lolita C. Baldor, Associated Press President Donald Trump said Friday he had canceled plans for a Veterans Day military parade, citing the "ridiculously high" price tag — a day after U.S. officials said the November event could cost $92 million, more than three times the… Continue reading
Jun 29 Concern over using U.S. military at southern border draws bipartisan support By Robert Burns, Associated Press The Pentagon says it received a Department of Homeland Security request to house up to 12,000 detained migrant family members, starting with shelters for 2,000 people to be available within 45 days. Continue reading
Jun 09 Taliban announce cease-fire over Eid holiday for 1st time By Rahim Faiez, Associated Press The Afghan Taliban announced a three-day cease-fire over the Eid al-Fitr holiday at the end of the holy month of Ramadan, a first for the group, following an earlier cease-fire announcement by the government. Continue reading