Apr 23 Pentagon chief visits Djibouti, home to key U.S. base By Robert Burns, Associated Press U.S. Defense Secretary Jim Mattis on Sunday visited Djibouti to bolster ties with the tiny African country that is home to an important base for U.S. counterterrorism forces. Continue reading
Apr 18 Mattis says North Korea ‘recklessly tried to provoke’ with latest failed missile test By Robert Burns, Associated Press Defense Secretary Jim Mattis' language was stronger than in an initial written statement he issued shortly after the launch, in which he simply said he was aware of the failure. Continue reading
Apr 11 Mattis: Defeating Islamic State still top U.S. priority By Robert Burns, Lolita C. Baldor, Associated Press Defense Secretary Jim Mattis says the U.S. cruise missile strike on a Syrian air base does not signal a change in the Pentagon's military campaign there, which is focused on defeating the Islamic State group and al-Qaida remnants. Continue reading
Mar 31 Defense Secretary Mattis says he worries about ‘reckless’ actions from North Korea By Associated Press LONDON — U.S. Defense Secretary Jim Mattis is expressing worry about what he calls “reckless” actions by North Korea, alluding to its nuclear weapons and missile programs. Mattis spoke at a news conference Friday in London with his British counterpart,… Continue reading
Mar 10 Top Marine says nude photo probe must not be completed ‘in a hurry’ By Lolita C. Baldor, Associated Press The top Marine general said that an investigation into reports that nude photos of female service members are being secretly posted online without their permission must be done carefully. Continue reading
Feb 16 Top Trump envoys signal no quick changes to U.S.-Russia ties By Matthew Lee, Lolita C. Baldor, Associated Press The Trump administration signaled Thursday there will be no change soon in U.S.-Russian relations, putting the onus on Moscow to prove itself if it wants closer cooperation with Washington. Continue reading
Feb 15 Pentagon boss to NATO nations: Increase military spending By Lolita C. Baldor, Associated Press Echoing President Donald Trump's demands for NATO countries to assume greater self-defense responsibility, the defense secretary said Washington will "moderate its commitment" to the alliance if countries fail to fall in line. Continue reading
Feb 14 Flynn exit creates vacuum that Trump’s pragmatists may fill By Josh Lederman, Associated Press The dramatic departure of President Donald Trump's hard-hitting national security adviser creates a vacuum of power and raises a key question: Will the pragmatists in the administration now gain clout?… Continue reading