Flashpoints - Military News and World News

Pentagon officials: Syria withdrawal heightens ISIS risks

The Pentagon official in charge of special operations says former Defense Secretary Jim Mattis was not wrong to object to the U.S. withdrawal from Syria.

By: Joe Gould February 6

Taliban: Half of US troops to leave Afghanistan by May 1

The U.S. has promised to withdraw half of its troops from Afghanistan by the end of April, a Taliban official said Wednesday, but the U.S. military said it has received no orders to begin packing up.

By: Francesca Ebel, The Associated Press February 6

Turkey’s Erdogan slams US over delays in Syria buffer zone

Turkey’s president heavily criticized the U.S. on Tuesday over delays in establishing a buffer zone in Syria, saying that if Washington won’t contribute to the effort, Ankara will do it alone.

By: The Associated Press February 5

UN experts: North Korea nukes intact, dispersing missiles

The Democratic People’s Republic of Korea — the country’s official name — also continues to violate an arms embargo, a ban on luxury goods and financial sanctions, the experts said.

By: Edith M. Lederer, The Associated Press February 5

US calls for repatriation of foreign fighters held in Syria

The United States on Monday called on other nations to repatriate and prosecute their citizens who traveled to Syria to fight with the Islamic State group and who are now being held by Washington’s local partners.

By: Sarah El Deeb, The Associated Press and Matthew Lee, The Associated Press February 4

Senate breaks with Trump on Afghanistan, Syria withdrawal

The Senate has voted to oppose the withdrawal of U.S. troops from Syria and Afghanistan, breaking with President Donald Trump as he has called for a drawdown of troops in those countries.

By: Mary Clare Jalonick, The Associated Press February 4

Trump reaffirms leaving Syria, but wants troops in Iraq to ‘watch Iran’

President Donald Trump reaffirmed his intention to withdraw the roughly 2,000 U.S. troops in Syria, while adding that they will be shifted to Iraq, during an interview this weekend.

By: Kyle Rempfer February 4

Military intervention in Venezuela is ‘an option,' Trump says, as Russia warns against ‘meddling’

A U.S. military intervention in Venezuela is still on the table, President Donald Trump said Sunday.

By: Kyle Rempfer February 4

US intelligence reveals another mysterious Chinese stealth bomber project

China is developing new medium- and long-range stealth bombers to strike regional and global targets.

By: Alex Lockie, Business Insider February 2

As Trump mulls Afghanistan pullout, latest watchdog report paints grim picture of progress there

This week's report continues to chronicle endemic corruption and a fledgling security force.

By: Geoff Ziezulewicz February 1

This Army BCT saw losses, and firsts, in its recent Afghanistan deployment, which could be its last as dismounted infantry

The infantry BCT is converting to become a Stryker BCT next year.

By: Todd South February 1

Senate vote rebukes Trump on Syria, Afghanistan

In a bipartisan rebuke to President Donald Trump, the Senate voted 68-23 Thursday to advance an amendment that would oppose withdrawal of U.S. troops from Syria and Afghanistan.

By: Mary Clare Jalonick, The Associated Press January 31

Afghanistan’s new Black Hawks have some issues. Would adding Chinooks help fill a capabilities gap?

The U.S. has been transitioning Afghanistan’s air force from its fleet of Soviet-era Mi-17 helicopters to the U.S.-made UH-60 Black Hawks since 2017, but challenges still plague the program.

By: Kyle Rempfer January 31

Former US and Turkish admirals spar over the future of Syria and Iranian influence

Even as the authoritarian leader consolidates control over the western part of his country, and U.S. troops reportedly prepare to depart their footholds in the east, retired U.S. Adm. James Stavridis said “Syria as a nation probably does not survive long-term in its current form.”

By: Kyle Rempfer January 31

Lawmakers urge Trump to protect Kurds after US withdrawal

Sens. Tammy Duckworth and Marsha Blackburn want Kurdish allies protected after U.S. troops leave Syria.

By: Joe Gould January 31

Al-Qaida’s advance in northern Syria threatens fragile truce

It only took a few days for al-Qaida-linked militants to seize more than two dozen towns and villages in northern Syria from rival insurgents earlier this month, cementing their control over an area the size of neighboring Lebanon.

By: Bassem Mroue, The Associated Press January 30

Peace with the Taliban? Trump warned of Afghan pullout risks

Trump administration claims of progress in talks with the Taliban have sparked fears even among the president’s allies that his impatience with the war in Afghanistan will lead him to withdraw troops too soon, leaving the country at risk of returning to the same volatile condition that prompted the invasion in the first place.

By: Deb Riechmann, The Associated Press January 30