National Security

News Brief: Pandemic Roundup, Electoral College, Russian Hackers

5:00am December 14, 2020

As the COVID-19 vaccine rolls out, U.S. deaths from the virus near 300,000. The Electoral College will officially casts ballots for president. Plus, Russian hackers infiltrate U.S. agencies.

The Periodic Review Board, which uses this building for meetings, has recommended the release of a long-held prisoner from Guantanamo.

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U.S. Clears For Release Longtime Guantánamo Inmate Never Charged With A Crime

7:50pm December 11, 2020

by Sacha Pfeiffer

The Yemeni man, who is in his mid-40s and known by several names, has been held for more than 18 years. Although cleared for release, the U.S. must still find a place for him to go.

Gen. Charles Q. Brown Jr. smiles at a White House swearing-in ceremony for the post of chief of staff of the Air Force.

For Air Force Leader, Making Video On Racism He's Faced Was 'The Right Thing To Do'

7:37pm December 11, 2020

by Rachel Martin

Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Charles Q. Brown Jr., the first African American to lead one of the U.S. armed forces, says he was compelled to speak out after the police killing of George Floyd.

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A swastika sticker on a statue at the Idaho Anne Frank Human Rights Memorial in Boise. The vandalism took place sometime between Monday evening and Tuesday morning, Boise police said.

Idaho Anne Frank Memorial Defaced With Nazi Propaganda

7:39pm December 10, 2020

by Dustin Jones

Nine stickers with swastikas were placed on the memorial in downtown Boise sometime between Monday evening and Tuesday morning. One of the stickers read, "We are everywhere."

Director of the Defense Health Agency Army Lt. Gen. Ronald Place on Dec. 9. The DOD expects to receive about 44,000 doses of Pfizer's coronavirus vaccine as early as next week.

DOD Unveils Its Coronavirus Vaccine Distribution Plan

9:30pm December 09, 2020

by Dustin Jones

If Pfizer's vaccine wins authorization, about 44,000 doses will be administered to Department of Defense individuals in a first round of shots that will shed light on any distribution issues.

National

Importance Of Diversity Among The Highest Ranks Of The Military

4:00pm December 09, 2020

NPR's Ari Shapiro talks with retired Lt. Gen. Stephen Twitty about what retired Gen. Lloyd Austin's nomination as defense secretary means for diversity within the Pentagon.

In this image taken June 16, 2020, and released by the North American Aerospace Defense Command, a Russian Tu-95 bomber (top) is intercepted by a U.S. F-22 Raptor fighter off the coast of Alaska. Russian nuclear-capable strategic bombers have flown near A

Arms Control: When Biden Takes Office, Clock Will Be Ticking To Save New START Treaty

10:15am December 09, 2020

by Lucian Kim

When President-elect Joe Biden is sworn into office, he'll have 16 days to work with Russian President Vladimir Putin to save the last arms control treaty limiting U.S. and Russian nuclear arsenals.

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In this 2010 photo, Army Lt. Gen. Lloyd Austin appears at a Senate Armed Services Committee hearing on his reappointment to be commander of the U.S. forces in Iraq. President-elect Joe Biden plans to nominate Austin as the first African-American to be de

National

Lloyd Austin: A Man 'Of The Highest Integrity,' But Still Unknown To Many

10:16pm December 08, 2020

by Tom Bowman

If confirmed as defense secretary, retired Army Gen. Lloyd Austin would be the first African-American to run the world's largest employer, with some 2.2 million servicemembers.

Retired Gen. Lloyd Austin is President-elect Joe Biden's pick for defense secretary, the top civilian post at the Pentagon. Nominating a recently retired military officer will require a waiver from Congress, which some key lawmakers oppose.

Biden Explains Defense Pick Amid Concerns There Be Civilian Control Of The Military

6:56pm December 08, 2020

by Scott Detrow

Gen. Lloyd Austin retired from the U.S. Army in 2016. He'll need a waiver from Congress to serve as the top civilian at the Pentagon, which some key lawmakers may resist doing.

Lloyd Austin, Retired 4-Star General, To Be Picked As Defense Secretary

6:17am December 08, 2020

by Franco Ordoñez

President-elect Joe Biden is expected to nominate retired Gen. Lloyd Austin as his defense secretary. If confirmed, Austin would be the first African American to head the Pentagon.

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