Trump administration outlines legal justification for Soleimani strike
The Democratic-led House Foreign Affairs Committee on Friday released the Trump administration’s legal justification for its Jan. 2 drone strike that killed Iranian Gen. Qassem Soleimani.Echoing...
View ArticleArmy secretary: 'There's no investigation' into Vindman
Lt. Col. Alexander Vindman, who provided damaging testimony during President Trump’s impeachment, is not being investigated by the Army, the service’s top civilian said Friday.Army Secretary Ryan...
View ArticleOvernight Defense: Army says it isn't investigating Vindman | White...
Happy Friday and welcome to Overnight Defense. I'm Rebecca Kheel, and here's your nightly guide to the latest developments at the Pentagon, on Capitol Hill and beyond. CLICK HERE to subscribe to the...
View ArticleLawmakers wary as US on cusp of initial deal with Taliban
Lawmakers are warning that U.S. officials are still far from the finish line in their peace talks with the Taliban as the Trump administration touts a breakthrough.A formal announcement could come as...
View ArticleTrump defense chief hits 'predatory' China as rising global threat
Defense Secretary Mark Esper knocked China as a growing threat to world order at an international security conference in Munich, Germany, on Saturday.Esper said China is high on the Defense...
View ArticleUS defense chief says Taliban deal 'looks very promising' but not...
Defense Secretary Mark Esper said a deal with the Taliban that could lead to the withdrawal of U.S. troops in Afghanistan “looks very promising” but is not without risk.Esper made the comments while...
View ArticlePeace deal with US to be signed by months' end, Taliban says
The U.S. and Taliban will sign a peace deal by the end of the month, the Taliban reportedly said Monday. Mullah Abdul Salam Hanafi, a senior Taliban leader, said in a video shared with journalists that...
View ArticleLawmakers push back at Trump's Pentagon funding grab for wall
Lawmakers are calling out the Trump administration over its latest plan to shift billions of dollars meant for the Pentagon's budget to instead pay for border wall construction.The top Democrat and...
View ArticleGraham warned Pentagon chief about consequences of Africa policy: report
Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) told Defense Secretary Mark Esper he could “make your life hell” if the Pentagon chief pulled U.S. troops from West Africa, according to NBC News.The interaction reportedly...
View ArticleDemocratic senator meets with Iranian foreign minister
Democratic Sen. Chris Murphy (D-Conn.) met with Iranian Foreign Minister Javad Zarif on the sidelines of this weekend’s Munich Security Conference, the senator confirmed Tuesday.In a post on Medium,...
View ArticleOvernight Defense: Dem senator met with Iranian foreign minister | Meeting...
Happy Tuesday and welcome to Overnight Defense. I'm Ellen Mitchell, and here's your nightly guide to the latest developments at the Pentagon, on Capitol Hill and beyond. CLICK HERE to subscribe to the...
View ArticleNavy does not recommend punishment for ex-War College president over ethics...
The Navy's inspector general has reportedly cleared the former president of the U.S. Naval War College of most accusations of improper workplace conduct.The Providence Journal reported Tuesday that of...
View ArticleTop Pentagon official leaving Trump administration
A top Defense Department official is set to leave the Trump administration after losing support from other national security leaders.John Rood, undersecretary of Defense for policy at the Pentagon,...
View ArticleTrump thanks Pentagon official said to be pressured to resign
President Trump on Wednesday thanked a top Pentagon official for his service, confirming that the undersecretary of Defense for policy was on his way out of the administration."I would like to thank...
View ArticleGOP chairman after Africa trip: US military drawdown would have 'real...
The Republican chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee warned Wednesday that any drawdown of U.S. military forces in West Africa would have “real and lasting negative consequences” after...
View ArticleOvernight Defense: Pentagon policy chief resigns at Trump's request |...
Happy Wednesday and welcome to Overnight Defense. I'm Rebecca Kheel, and here's your nightly guide to the latest developments at the Pentagon, on Capitol Hill and beyond. CLICK HERE to subscribe to the...
View ArticleUS sanctions Iranian officials involved in vetting election candidates
The Trump administration on Thursday announced sanctions against five Iranian officials it said are responsible for preventing “free and fair” elections.The sanctions are being announced a day before...
View ArticleDOD sued for alleged improper incineration of 'forever chemicals'
Earthjustice sued the Department of Defense (DOD) on Thursday, arguing the military has been improperly incinerating so-called forever chemicals.The class of chemicals, known as PFAS, is a central...
View ArticleOvernight Defense: GOP lawmaker takes unannounced trip to Syria | Taliban...
Happy Thursday and welcome to Overnight Defense. I'm Rebecca Kheel, and here's your nightly guide to the latest developments at the Pentagon, on Capitol Hill and beyond. CLICK HERE to subscribe to the...
View ArticlePompeo expects US-Taliban agreement to be signed on Feb. 29
Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on Friday said that the United States has reached an “understanding” with the Taliban on a reduction of violence across Afghanistan, paving the way for a peace agreement...
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