May 08 New push to give Pentagon the lead on drone strikes By Ken Dilanian, Associated Press WASHINGTON — The deaths of an Italian and an American in a covert CIA drone strike in Pakistan — and the rhetorical contortions required of the president when he informed the world — have breathed new urgency into a long-stalled… Continue reading
Mar 26 Is bureaucratic red tape hindering how special ops can do its job? By Ken Dilanian, Associated Press An Associated Press investigation reveals that government bureaucrats have blocked several requests by Army special operations troops for software they say they need. Continue reading
Mar 17 GOP proposes $3.8 trillion budget that boosts defense, overhauls Medicare By Andrew Taylor, Associated Press WASHINGTON — House Republicans on Tuesday unveiled a $3.8 trillion budget plan for next year that effectively breaks tight budget limits on military spending while promising a familiar roster of big cuts to social programs such as food stamps and… Continue reading
Mar 03 Pentagon calls Mosul briefing a mistake by CentCom By Robert Burns, Associated Press Top Pentagon officials say U.S. Central Command was wrong to have briefed reporters on plans for an Iraqi-led ground offensive in Mosul. Continue reading
Mar 02 Defense Department proposes ban of foreign-made flags at military bases By Justin Scuiletti A new rule proposed by the Department of Defense would bar the military from using department funds for "the purchase or manufacture of a flag of the United States, unless such flag is manufactured in the United States." The rule… Continue reading
Feb 12 Senate on track to confirm Ashton Carter for Pentagon chief By Donna Cassata, Associated Press WASHINGTON — The Senate is on track to confirm President Barack Obama's pick to run the Pentagon. Continue reading
Feb 03 Is the Pentagon padding its budget with funds reserved for fighting overseas? By Dan Sagalyn The 2016 defense budget includes $50.9 billion for the Overseas Contingency Operations, but is a portion of that being used to fund general operations?… Continue reading
Jan 27 Obama to request hefty budget boost for the Pentagon By Andrew Taylor, Associated Press President Barack Obama will ask Congress for a hefty, almost 8 percent boost for the Pentagon, including $5.3 billion to equip and train Iraqi soldiers and moderate Syrian rebels to fight Islamic State militants in the Middle East. Continue reading
Jan 16 U.S. to send 400 troops to train Syrian rebels By Associated Press WASHINGTON — The United States will send 400 troops to train moderate Syrian rebels this spring. Continue reading
Jan 08 U.S. to reduce troops at European bases to save $500 million By Lolita C. Baldor, Associated Press WASHINGTON — The Pentagon Thursday unveiled sweeping plans to consolidate its forces in Europe, taking thousands of U.S. military and civilian personnel out of bases mostly in the United Kingdom and Portugal, in an effort that will save about $500… Continue reading