Defense
Pentagon Wins a Reprieve with Trump Approval of ‘Residual’ Forces in Syria
General Dunford is “confident” U.S. allies will now agree to stay, but for how long remains undetermined.
Defense
AFRICOM Adds Logistics Hub in West Africa, Hinting at an Enduring US Presence
From Ghana’s capital, a new supply network will ferry supplies and arms to special forces troops across the region.
Defense
Trump Officially Directs Pentagon to Create Space Force, Within Air Force
If Congress approves, Space Force would exist like the Marine Corps within the Navy Department.
Defense
There’s a Big Obstacle to the Pentagon’s New Strategy to Speed AI to Troops
Defense officials want to accelerate the delivery of artificial-intelligence tools from the lab to the field. But it's hard to obtain the massive data streams that make AI work.
Defense
Senate Committee Grills Navy Official Over 2017 Collisions, Seeking Data to Prove Conditions Have Changed
During an Armed Services Committee hearing that referenced ProPublica’s investigation into the deadly mishaps, a senator pressed the top commander in the Pacific to give “real numbers,” “not promises and not good feelings.”
Defense
The Navy to Create Chief Learning Officer, Overhaul Sailor Education
The creation of a Naval University and other changes are aimed at better shaping sailors and Marines for tomorrow’s wars.
Defense
The Air Force Has Won Control of the Space Force
Six months ago, service leaders said they were being cut out of the planning process. Now they’re being put in charge of it.
Management
AFRICOM Commander: Elite Troop Cuts Won’t Help China, Eyes Shift To Conventional Forces
“It’s really a misleading narrative to say that optimization is causing us to walk away from Africa,” Gen. Waldhauser said in an interview.
Defense
The Afghan Government Is Missing From Afghanistan's Peace Process
Two sets of negotiations with the Taliban are under way in Afghanistan. Neither includes the country’s democratically elected, internationally recognized administration.
Defense
Trump: U.S. Will Be Working with Mideast Partners ‘For Many Years to Come’
The president acknowledged that the Islamic State continues to pose a threat even though U.S.-led coalition forces have retaken 99 percent of its territory.
Defense
Senior Officials Downplay Trump Plan to Keep Troops In Iraq to ‘Watch Iran’
Some Baghdad watchers say the president’s remarks could imperil the U.S. troop presence in Iraq.
Tech
The Teams Who Test U.S. Cyber Defenses Aren’t Being Tough Enough: Pentagon Report
Overworked trainers and penetration testers can’t properly simulate the worst real-world threats, leaving operators “overconfident.”
Defense
Trump Administration Downplays Fears of Post-Treaty Arms Race
"Nothing the U.S. is currently looking at is nuclear in character,” a senior administration official says, after announcing INF withdrawal.
Defense
U.S. Navy Re-Evaluating 355-Ship Goal
The number could go up or down or include different types of ships.
Defense
Acting SecDef: I Haven’t Told the Pentagon to Prep for Afghanistan Withdrawal
In his first remarks to media as defense chief, Pat Shanahan says U.S. leaders are keeping their eyes on peace talks.
Defense
Navy Chief Touts Recruiting as Part of Larger Design for Maritime Superiority
Richardson says Seventh Fleet has recovered from at-sea collisions.
Defense
Is Trump Setting the Stage for a Military Intervention in Venezuela?
“Everything is on the table, all options,” an administration official said.
Defense
Ex-Envoy to the Anti-ISIS Coalition Says Trump Has ‘No Plan’ for What’s Next in Syria
Brett McGurk faulted the president for completely reversing Syria policy after one telephone conversation with Turkey’s president.
Defense
Army Chief Confirms U.S. Will Hand off ISIS Fight in Syria
Gen. Mark Milley is the first senior military official to say the military is proceeding in Syria as Trump wishes.
Defense