Jan 13 Trump officials point to dissent in Iran amid lingering questions over U.S. strike By Robert Burns, Associated Press Defense Secretary Mark Esper added to the uncertainty over the intelligence behind last week’s killing of Gen. Qassem Soleimani when he said Sunday that he had seen no hard evidence that four American embassies had been under possible threat. Continue reading
Jan 07 Trump retreats from threat to attack Iranian cultural sites By Darlene Superville, Associated Press President Donald Trump on Tuesday backed away from his threats to target Iranian cultural sites if Iran retaliates against the U.S. for killing one of its top generals. Continue reading
Jan 07 WATCH: Trump pressed to explain motivation for Iran general’s killing President Donald Trump and his top advisers are under pressure to disclose more detail about the intelligence that led him to order the killing of top Iranian Gen. Qassem Soleimani, which has greatly heightened tension with Tehran. Continue reading
Jan 06 Esper says U.S. has made no decision about leaving Iraq By Lolita C. Baldor, Associated Press Defense Secretary Mark Esper told reporters Monday that the U.S. is not pulling troops out of Iraq, after a letter from a senior military officer appeared to suggest a withdrawal was underway. Continue reading
Jan 02 Esper says Iran may be planning more attacks on U.S. interests By Robert Burns, Associated Press Iran or its proxy forces may be planning further strikes on American interests in the Middle East, and the U.S. is prepared to take preemptive military action if it gets sufficient warning, Defense Secretary Mark Esper said Thursday. Continue reading
Dec 24 Putin says Russia is leading the world in hypersonic weapons By Vladimir Isachenkov, Associated Press The Pentagon and the U.S. military services have been working on the development of hypersonic weapons in recent years. Continue reading
Dec 11 WATCH: Pentagon officials say U.S. is considering leaving smaller number of troops in Afghanistan By Lolita C. Baldor, Robert Burns, Associated Press Gen. Mark Milley, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, did not disclose any potential troop totals, but he agreed that leaving a minimal U.S. footprint in Afghanistan to battle terrorists is a potential move. Continue reading
Nov 24 Pentagon chief fires Navy secretary over SEAL controversy By Robert Burns, Associated Press Defense Secretary Mark Esper on Sunday fired the Navy’s top official over his handling of a disciplinary case involving a Navy SEAL. Continue reading
Oct 25 Esper says U.S. troops, armored vehicles going to Syria oil fields By Lolita C. Baldor, Associated Press The U.S. will send armored reinforcements into eastern Syria to bolster defenses against a potential move by Islamic State militants on oil fields controlled by U.S.-backed Syrian Kurds, U.S. Defense Secretary Mark Esper said Friday. Continue reading
Oct 24 U.S. defense secretary calls Turkey’s offensive in Syria ‘unwarranted’ By Lolita C. Baldor, Associated Press Mark Esper said the invasion of northeastern Syria jeopardizes gains made in in recent years as the U.S.-led coalition and allied Syrian Kurdish forces battled the Islamic State group. Continue reading