Secretary of Defense, Incorporated

Maj. Danny Sjursen / Truthdig Oct 7, 2019 The appointment of lobbyist Mark Esper to lead the department should be a huge scandal. That it isn't speaks volumes about our priorities. Dig deeper ( 5 Min. Read )

Dwight Eisenhower’s Worst Nightmare Has Come True

William Hartung / TomDispatch Jul 17, 2019 Two of the largest defense contractors in the country are on the verge of merging. This is what a military industrial complex looks like. Dig deeper ( 9 Min. Read )

The Top Trump Administration Scandals—Aside From Trump’s

Juan Cole / Informed Comment Jul 14, 2019 The resignation of the secretary of Labor Alex Acosta is only the most recent in a string of such scandals for the current administration. Dig deeper ( 2 Min. Read )

Shanahan Steps Down Amid Reports of Violent Domestic Incidents

LOLITA C. BALDOR / The Associated Press Jun 18, 2019 The acting defense secretary's departure comes at a critical time of troop buildup in Mideast; Army Secretary Mark Esper will take over. Dig deeper ( 4 Min. Read )

GOP Mutters, Quietly, as Trump Sidesteps Senate for Top Aides

Alan Fram / The Associated Press Jun 17, 2019 Critics argue the president has bypassed the confirmation process by appointing an unprecedented number of acting officials to key posts. Dig deeper ( 4 Min. Read )

Stop Politicizing the Military, Pentagon Tells White House

LOLITA C. BALDOR / The Associated Press Jun 2, 2019 The administration wanted the USS John McCain "out of sight" during President Trump's visit to Japan. Trump says he knew nothing about it. Dig deeper ( 3 Min. Read )

Bomb-Laden Drone From Yemeni Rebels Targets Saudi Airport

JON GAMBRELL / The Associated Press May 21, 2019 There are no immediate reports of injuries or damage following the attack on the Saudi city of Najran. Dig deeper ( 4 Min. Read )

Elizabeth Warren Unveils Plan to Radically Reform the Pentagon

Jacob Sugarman / Truthdig May 16, 2019 In a new essay, the Massachusetts senator and 2020 Democratic hopeful writes that it's "past time to cut our bloated defense budget." Dig deeper ( 2 Min. Read )

John Bolton Is the World’s Worst Nightmare

Amy Goodman and Denis Moynihan May 16, 2019 Donald Trump's national security adviser has not hidden his terrifying desire to effect regime change in Iran, Venezuela, Cuba and beyond. Dig deeper ( 3 Min. Read )

Neocons Won’t Stop Until They Get Their War With Iran

Sonali Kolhatkar / Truthdig May 15, 2019 It’s not just déjà vu on a mass scale—the neocons are back, and they’re ratcheting up the threat of another catastrophic conflict in the Middle East. Dig deeper ( 5 Min. Read )

Trump to Nominate Patrick Shanahan for Top Pentagon Post

ROBERT BURNS and LOLITA C. BALDOR / The Associated Press May 9, 2019 The former Boeing executive has been leading the Department of Defense as acting secretary since Jan. 1. Dig deeper ( 4 Min. Read )

White House: Islamic State Territory in Syria Eliminated

DEB RIECHMANN and LOLITA C. BALDOR / The Associated Press Mar 22, 2019 The fall of the last IS stronghold in Baghouz, Syria, would mark the end of the group's self-declared caliphate. Dig deeper ( 3 Min. Read )