All Security
- War in Afghanistan: What has NATO learned from 20 years of fighting?The war in Afghanistan appears to be drawing to a close. What has NATO learned from its experiences in the twenty-year conflict?
- First LookPay-raise for troops approved, defense bill outstrips Trump vetoThe House approved a $731 defense bill with enough votes to override a veto from President Donald Trump, who is unhappy with an unrelated communications code. The bill affirms pay raises for troops, Pentagon policy, and military logistics.
- First LookAnother first: A Black general could lead the PentagonPresident-elect Joe Biden is expected to pick retired general Lloyd Austin for secretary of defense, making him the first Black leader of the Pentagon if confirmed by the Senate. But his appointment faces opposition as the role is traditionally meant for civilians.
- First LookHow cyber war games in Estonia looked at future Russian threatsThe U.S. embarked on a Cyber Command mission in Estonia this fall to support the Baltic nation, which has in years past been a target for Russian hackers,聽and also to gain insight on Russian operations.
- US women in combat: Will equality affect national security?Women鈥檚 deaths in military combat don鈥檛 dampen Americans鈥 support for war. Nor do women鈥檚 service and sacrifice boost men鈥檚 views of women鈥檚 equality.
- U.S., China, Taiwan: Why the tense status quo may stick 鈥 for nowTaiwan鈥檚 military was on high alert during the U.S. elections, as concerns grow over the potential for a clash amid escalating Chinese incursions.
- Trust your drill sergeant? Army takes new approach to basic training.Boot camp now focuses more on trust than intimidation, cultivating trust not only among soldiers but between soldiers and their leaders.
- 鈥楽trategic empathy鈥: H.R. McMaster on foreign policy and ChinaH.R. McMaster, former national security adviser to President Donald Trump, discusses new book聽鈥淏attlegrounds鈥 and U.S.-China policy with the Monitor.
- US military draws a line: No more bias against pregnant soldiersThe U.S. Defense Department banned discrimination against pregnant service members 鈥 a big step toward equality for women in the armed forces.
- 鈥楧on鈥檛 stop having optimism鈥: combat vets on surviving the pandemicVeterans of the Iraq and Afghanistan wars offer thoughts on perseverance and what we might gain from a struggle against the coronavirus.
- Why do Black troops face a harsher form of military justice?Charges against Black troops are twice as likely to result in a court-martial, a U.S. government report found. The Pentagon is trying to find out why.
- First LookPentagon leaders to testify on use of military during unrestTop Pentagon leaders will appear before Congress聽on Thursday聽to discuss a host of controversies, including intelligence reports of Russian bounties and the use of the military to quell civil unrest last month.
- First LookTrump wants US troops out of Germany, but Republicans are waryPresident Donald Trump says he wants to bring U.S. troops home from Germany, but faces backlash from Republican lawmakers who say the move could jeopardize a valuable alliance.
- 鈥楾he time has come鈥: Which US bases may lose their Confederate namesakes?Pressure is growing to strip the names of Confederate officers from 10 U.S. military bases. Who were these men, and what were they really known for?
- First LookUS Indo-Pacific naval presence grows: Sign of strength to China?In a show of strength intended for China, three American aircraft carriers are patrolling the Indo-Pacific waters. But Beijing could interpret it as a provocation in the region, say experts.
- First LookBanning Confederate symbols? Military aims to unify, not divide.As the nation grapples with questions of race, removing Confederate Army symbols is under discussion at the highest levels of the Pentagon. Retired four-star Army Gen. David Petraeus wrote in an essay, 鈥淣ow, belatedly, is the moment for us to pay such attention.鈥
- FocusMattis, Esper oppose use of active duty military to fight unrest. Why?U.S. military commanders aren鈥檛 eager to use active duty troops to keep domestic order. But the country has done so in past.
- Sacrifice, reconciliation, hope: Readers reflect on Memorial DayThis year for Memorial Day, Monitor readers submitted stories of military members who changed their lives. Here is a selection of their offerings.
- First LookMore security? US vs. China in 'super-duper' missiles race.The Pentagon wants $3.6 billion for developing hypersonic weapons in 2021. Driven by concerns about missile advances in Russia and China, the Trump administration says 'super-fast' missiles are necessary. Critics fear a new arms race.
- First LookA haven from the job crisis? US military offers a way.The U.S. military is allowing personnel to extend their service 鈥 ensuring a source of income 鈥 to mitigate the unfolding job crisis caused by COVID-19. This led thousands to re-enlist.聽