Threats

No Orders To Reduce Troops in South Korea Yet, Esper Says

With traditional U.S. deployments still under review, the defense secretary announced he hopes to visit China by year’s end.

Policy

To Block Trump’s Troop Withdrawals, Congress Turns An Old Tactic Upside Down

Congress historically has tried to force presidents to bring troops home. But in the last three years, lawmakers have repeatedly tried to make laws to do the opposite.

Policy

Top US General Slams Confederacy As ‘Treason’, Signals Support For Base Renaming

“Those generals fought for the institution of slavery,” Gen. Mark Milley told a House hearing.

Policy

Army Was Reviewing More Than Confederate Base Names, Officials Reveal

Among the potential friction points eyed were Army National Guard units with nicknames honoring Confederate leaders.

Policy

Political Fight Over Russian Bounty on US Troops Appears to Warp Intel Debate

Democrats suspect the White House is trying to paint the assessment as less solid than it is.

Policy

Biden’s China Policy Starts With Building a Stronger America

Part 2: The candidate’s surrogates are outlining a plan to beat China’s leaders, not change them.

Threats

Bounties Are Part of Moscow’s Aid to the Taliban, Current and Former Intel Officials Say

It's not yet a foregone conclusion, but Russia has long been suspected of helping the militant group.

Threats

Critics, Allies Wonder What Trump’s Trying to Achieve with Troop Cuts

One GOP lawmaker worries “it’s going to hurt U.S. strategic interests more than it’s going to punish Germany.”

Policy

Trump To Sanction ICC Officials Investigating Alleged US War Crimes In Afghanistan

The court’s top prosecutor found that the U.S. military may have committed “torture.”

Threats

Top US General in Mideast: ‘I Do Worry About China Quite a Bit’

Beijing is trying “to establish a beachhead,” says U.S. Central Command’s Gen. Kenneth McKenzie. “I think this is a significant factor we need to confront.”

Policy

The Generals Are Speaking Up. Is That a Good Thing?

Scholars are warning about what others are celebrating as a necessary corrective to a commander in chief gone wrong.

Threats

Who Are They? Unmarked Security Forces in DC Spark Fear

Mistaken for mercenaries, armed personnel from federal agencies refuse to identify themselves to street protestors and media.

Policy

Esper Opposes Insurrection Act Use

Trump has threatened to invoke the act in order to use active duty troops to police protests.

Threats

Quieter Night In DC As Protests Continue Amid Large Militarized Response Force

The show-of-force angered protesters, but the crowds eventually dwindled without much police intervention.

Threats

Pentagon Says Guard Did Not Tear-Gas Protesters; Downplays Role In Militarized Response

A senior official also said SecDef was unaware of the plan to clear a public park for a Trump photo op.

Threats

Trump, GOP Allies Reach For Military Response To Domestic Protests

In startling language, Defense Secretary Mark Esper referred to American streets as “the battlespace.”

Policy

On Chaotic Day, Trump Vows To ‘Eliminate’ Hong Kong’s Special Status

The move is intended to dissuade China. Some analysts believe it will do the opposite.