December 20, 2015 Former defense, energy secretary James Schlesinger dies Former defense secretary and energy secretary James Schlesinger has died, his daughter confirmed to ӣƵ. He was 85.
December 20, 2015 Pentagon sending fighter jets to boost NATO presence amid Ukraine crisis The U.S. military is boosting its NATO presence in a bid to support the defenses of U.S. allies in Europe in response to Russia's takeover of Ukraine's Crimean Peninsula.
December 20, 2015 US military leaders propose sending more forces to Europe to deter Russia U.S. military officials have proposed sending more troops to Europe to deter the threat of aggression by Russia and have stepped training exercises aimed at countering possible interference with troop transfers by Moscow.
December 20, 2015 Ash Carter softens tone on closing Gitmo Defense Secretary Ash Carter said Tuesday that he supports the president's plan to close Guantanamo Bay by the end of this administration, but that it may not be realistic given the large population of prisoners who can't be released.
December 20, 2015 Obama Pentagon pick Carter says he won't bend to White House pressure to release Gitmo prisoners Ashton Carter, President Obama's nominee for Defense Secretary, pledged Wednesday that he would not bend to administration pressure to increase the pace of detainee transfers from the U.S. prison in Guantanamo Bay.
December 20, 2015 Defense Secretary Carter mulls easing enlistment requirements for some jobs Defense Secretary Ash Carter is considering easing some military enlistment standards as part of a broader set of initiatives to better attract and keep quality service members and civilians across the Defense Department.
December 20, 2015 Carter saying Iraqi forces losing 'will to fight' sparks more criticism, concern about Obama plan The Iraqi forces defeated by Islamic State fighters in their takeover of Ramadi were not outnumbered and in fact showed “no will to fight,” Defense Secretary Ash Carter said Sunday, an indication that even a top-ranking administration official thinks President Obama’s plan to defeat the extremist group appears in trouble.
December 20, 2015 US announces more special ops forces to fight ISIS, Iraqi PM says 'no need' The U.S. is sending more special operations forces to Iraq and Syria to help Iraqi and Kurdish forces battling ISIS, as well as capture senior terror leaders to learn more about the group's networks.
December 18, 2015 Report: Hagel accuses White House of trying to 'destroy' him Insight from Gen. Jack Keane