All Security
- FocusAs war wanes, how will US military retain its best warriors?Today鈥檚 troops have acquired invaluable experience in battle. But when the fighting ends, the US military must find ways to keep the force engaged or risk losing all that expertise.聽
- The day President Obama said: 'Go get bin Laden'During his presidency, Barack Obama has undertaken a string of military operations, topped by the raid that killed Osama bin Laden hiding in Pakistan. One expert calls Obama 'one of the most militarily aggressive American leaders in decades.'
- Afghan commando kills special forces soldier: US training mission futile?An American special forces soldier was killed this week by a US-trained Afghan commando, during a joint night raid operation. One-fifth of all NATO losses in 2012 are by Afghan troops.聽
- Downsizing Army may lay off veteran soldiers. Is that a breach of trust?Thomas Lamont, the assistant secretary of the Army, told lawmakers that the Army may have to lay off as many as 30,000 soldiers in its attempt to trim its ranks and meet budget cuts.
- Marine sergeant discharged for criticizing Obama: Was that fair?Troops may express political opinions and are encouraged 'to carry out the obligations of citizenship,' but Marine Sgt. Gary Stein was warned that his Facebook posts crossed a line.
- Prostitution scandal spreads: Marines pushed woman out of moving carAs Congress looks into allegations that military personnel and Secret Service members paid for prostitutes in Colombia, other charges involving three Marines in Brazil are coming to light.
- Leon Panetta: US military planning for greater role in Syria conflictUS military officials are crafting possible new strategies to 'protect the Syrian people' from the Assad regime, Defense Secretary Leon Panetta said Thursday on Capitol Hill. NATO's Libya intervention may be a model.
- Brigade that posed with dead Afghan bombers showed signs of troubleNewly published photos show US soldiers posing with dead Afghan insurgents, trophy-like. In 2009, before that brigade had left for Afghanistan, its commander was uneasy.
- Pentagon outlines plan to crack down on sexual assaults in US militaryDefense Secretary Leon Panetta says the moves will 'fundamentally change' Pentagon's prosecution of sexual assault cases. Service members who don't report sexual assaults often say they have little faith that perpetrators will be brought to justice.
- How bravery on the ground won controller an Air Force CrossCapt. Barry Crawford receives the rarely awarded Air Force Cross for coordinating airstrikes and medical evacuations while in the middle of a 14-hour Afghan firefight.聽
- How can Navy stop sexual assaults? First, admit they happen, admiral says.Two to three sexual assaults were reported daily in the Navy in 2010, and alcohol was a key factor in most cases, the admiral says, adding that the attacks erode trust and readiness in the force.
- Afghanistan night-raid deal: Does it handcuff US forces?While the deal gives Afghanistan legal and military 'ownership' over the night raids, on a practical level US forces still have leverage and flexibility, especially to react quickly to intelligence.
- Can a Marine call Obama a 'religious enemy' - and still be a Marine?A military panel recommended a 'less than honorable' discharge for a Marine who railed against President Obama on Facebook. But the Marine's lawyers say he has First Amendment rights.聽
- Gen. George Patton: Six not-so-gentle father-to-son tips The new book, 'Growing Up Patton: Reflections on Heroes, History, and Family Wisdom,' shares letters written by Gen. George Patton to his his son. Here are six pieces of advice from these letters.
- Keeping an eye on China? First US Marines arrive in Australia.The US is sending 2,500 Marines to Australia 鈥 officially to train with troops there and assist in humanitarian efforts. But many experts and diplomats say the real focus is China.
- Question 21: Does it punish troops who are victims of sexual assault?Question 21 on applications for troops seeking national-security jobs asks if the applicant has ever needed any mental-health counseling. Troops with post-traumatic stress disorder or martial problems are exempted. Victims of military sexual assault are not.聽
- Officials considered burying the remains of some 9/11 victims at seaNew details from an investigation into how Dover Air Force Base handled the remains of some 9/11 victims show an internal debate over how to classify the body parts.
- Afghan shooting spree: What did Sgt. Robert Bales's commander know?The top US commander in Afghanistan says the shooting spree in which Robert Bales has been charged, as well as a recent Quran burning and a video of Marines urinating on dead Taliban are all examples of a failure of good oversight from commanders.
- Afghan suicide bomb scare highlights concern about 'insider threat'Reports of suicide bomb vests inside the Afghan Department of Defense were eventually dismissed as false, but they pointed to US concerns about Taliban infiltrators or rogue troops attacking US soldiers or the Afghan government. 聽
- Sgt. Robert Bales charged with premeditated murder of 17 AfghansDeath is among the possible penalties facing Army Staff Sgt. Robert Bales, if he is convicted of murdering 17 Afghan civilians. A death sentence has not been carried out in the US military since 1961.