U.S. Considers Sending Several Thousand More Troops to Mideast

MATTHEW LEE / The Associated Press Dec 5, 2019 The news comes amid reports of escalating violence in Iran and meddling by Tehran in Iraq, Syria and other parts of the region. Dig deeper ( 5 Min. Read )

Korean Peninsula Troubles Pose U.S. Security Challenge

ROBERT BURNS / The Associated Press Nov 21, 2019 The toughest problem is North Korea’s refusal to restart negotiations with Washington on eliminating its nuclear weapons. Dig deeper ( 3 Min. Read )

Islamic State Leader Dead After U.S. Raid in Syria, Trump Says

ROBERT BURNS, DEB RIECHMANN and ZEKE MILLER / The Associated Press Oct 27, 2019 Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi presided over a global jihad and arguably became the world’s most wanted man. Dig deeper ( 7 Min. Read )

Pentagon Snubs Amazon, Hands Microsoft $10B ‘War Cloud’ Deal

RACHEL LERMAN / The Associated Press Oct 26, 2019 Early front-runner Amazon's competitive bid for the Defense Department's huge JEDI contract had drawn criticism from President Trump. Dig deeper ( 3 Min. Read )

Esper: U.S. Troops, Armored Vehicles Going to Syria Oil Fields

LOLITA C. BALDOR / The Associated Press Oct 25, 2019 The announcement comes even as the president again tweets that the U.S. military mission in Syria is completed. Dig deeper ( 4 Min. Read )

Russia, Turkey Seal Power in Northeast Syria With Accord

SUZAN FRASER and VLADIMIR ISACHENKOV / The Associated Press Oct 22, 2019 The two powers announce an agreement to jointly patrol almost the entire northeastern Syrian border after the withdrawal of Kurdish fighters. Dig deeper ( 4 Min. Read )

U.S. May Now Keep Some Troops in Syria to Guard Oilfields

LOLITA C. BALDOR / The Associated Press Oct 21, 2019 Defense Secretary Esper says the plan is still in the discussion phase and is designed to give the president "maneuver room." Dig deeper ( 4 Min. Read )

U.S. Troops Leaving Syria for Iraq, Not Home as Trump Claims

LOLITA C. BALDOR / The Associated Press Oct 20, 2019 The United States will continue Mideast operations against Islamic State, according to plans outlined by Defense Secretary Mark Esper. Dig deeper ( 4 Min. Read )

US-Turkey Frictions Raise Doubts About Nukes at Turk Base

ROBERT BURNS / The Associated Press Oct 18, 2019 It is almost an open secret that the U.S. has as many as 50 B-61 bombs stored under heavy guard in southern Turkey. Dig deeper ( 4 Min. Read )

What Made Trump Change His Mind About Turkey?

Juan Cole / Truthdig Oct 15, 2019 How to explain the U.S. president's about-face on Turkey's invasion of northeastern Syria? Offhand, I can think of three possible explanations. Dig deeper ( 3 Min. Read )

Trump Orders Turkey Sanctions as U.S. Scrambles for Syria Exit

ROBERT BURNS / The Associated Press Oct 14, 2019 The president says he is halting trade negotiations and raising steel tariffs in an effort to restrain the Turks' assault on Kurdish fighters. Dig deeper ( 5 Min. Read )

U.S. Begins Possible Full Withdrawal From Northern Syria

ROBERT BURNS / The Associated Press Oct 13, 2019 The pullout comes despite growing chaos, cries of betrayal and signs that Turkey's invasion could fuel a broader war. Dig deeper ( 4 Min. Read )