senate armed services committee

Politics

Lawmakers Who Voted ‘Yes’ on NDAA Received Big Campaign Cash

Stephen Semler / Responsible Statecraft Dec 19, 2023 Pols who voted for to authorize the $886 billion military budget got four and five times more money from Pentagon contractors, respectively. Dig deeper ( 4 Min. Read )

With Little Scrutiny, U.S. Military Ramps Up in Afghanistan

ROBERT BURNS / The Associated Press Mar 10, 2018 American problems in the 16-year war include a resilient Taliban, a weak government in Kabul and, according to the top general overseeing the conflict, Russian interference. Dig deeper ( 4 Min. Read )

No Good Reasons to Continue America’s Longest War

Sonali Kolhatkar / Truthdig Oct 5, 2017 Our costly presence in Afghanistan is on track to continue at least another decade, as politicians fail to articulate past failures or envision future strategy. Dig deeper ( 5 Min. Read )

It’s Time to Stop Looking to the Generals for Advice on National Security Policy

By Andrew J. Bacevich / TomDispatch Mar 21, 2017 A new report by Army Gen. Joseph Votel (pictured with President Trump) is emblematic of how national security policy has become divorced from reality. Dig deeper ( 11 Min. Read )

The Numbers Racket: U.S. Africa Command Clams Up After Contradictory Statements to Congress

By Nick Turse / TomDispatch Jun 29, 2016 Somehow, between 2015 and 2016, more than 200 AFRICOM missions from 2014 simply vanished. And the Senate Armed Services Committee apparently hasn't bothered to ask for clarification. Dig deeper ( 9 Min. Read )

VIDEO: U.S. Commander in Afghanistan Says Kunduz Hospital Was ‘Mistakenly Struck’

Staff / Truthdig Oct 7, 2015 This just in from Capitol Hill: Gen. John Campbell, America's head military honcho in Afghanistan, told the Senate Armed Services Committee on Tuesday that a Doctors Without Borders-affiliated hospital in Kunduz was "mistakenly struck" in Saturday's air attack. Dig deeper ( 2 Min. Read )

Blackwater Back in the Spotlight

Staff / Truthdig Feb 24, 2010 The Senate Armed Services Committee is investigating a Blackwater subsidiary's role in the shooting of two Afghans last year. The panel also criticized the Army for not properly supervising the company. Despite a dreadful track record, Blackwater, now called Xe, continues to have contracts with the U.S. government. Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )