National Security

The President's Daily Briefing is the top-secret intelligence report the CIA presents to the president every weekday. The book shown here is for a briefing delivered to President George W. Bush in 2002.

Experts Say Intel Should Have Reached Trump On Russian Bounty Program

6:08pm July 04, 2020

by Greg Myre

The president says no one told him about the threat to U.S. troops in Afghanistan. Reports say the information was available in a detailed intelligence file called the President's Daily Briefing.

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Federal Law Enforcement Agencies To Protect Statues And Monuments This July 4th

4:03pm July 03, 2020

by Brian Naylor

Federal law enforcement agencies have taken on a new responsibility — they will be guarding federal properties, including statues and monuments, during this Fourth of July weekend.

Sen. Tammy Duckworth, D-Ill., at a Senate Armed Services Committee hearing in May. She wants an Army officer who testified at Trump impeachment hearings to get his promotion.

Senator Puts Rare Hold On Military Promotions Over Ousted Army Officer

10:57pm July 02, 2020

by David Welna

Lt. Col. Alexander Vindman testified in impeachment hearings. He's been due for promotion to the rank of full colonel, but that has not happened. Sen. Tammy Duckworth wants assurances that it will.

Chad Wolf, acting secretary of the Department of Homeland Security, outside the White House in Washington, D.C., last week.

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Homeland Security Says It Will Secure Historic Landmarks From 'Anarchists'

5:49pm July 01, 2020

by Scott Neuman

The federal agency charged with preventing terrorist attacks said Wednesday that its personnel would carry out President Trump's orders to protect statues and monuments from vandalism.

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Pompeo Says Russia Being Against U.S. Interests In Afghanistan Is 'Nothing New'

4:18pm July 01, 2020

by Michele Kelemen

Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said that Russian bounties paid to the Taliban to kill U.S. troops are yet another reason why the Trump administration has been trying to end America's longest war.

People wait for COVID-19 tests at a hospital in Baghdad on June 4.

In Iraq, Rising Virus Cases And Oxygen Shortages Stoke Outrage, Fears Of 'Chaos'

10:50am July 01, 2020

by Jane Arraf

Crowds have seized supplies for ill relatives, and officials warn the health system could collapse. "This is a war against the coronavirus and we have lost the war," says an Iraqi official.

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'Not Your Old-School Aryan Nation Guy': Army Case Highlights Evolving Threat

8:48am July 01, 2020

by Hannah Allam

Federal prosecutors say Army Pvt. Ethan Melzer tried to conspire with neo-Nazis and jihadists to ambush his own unit. Researchers say "hybrid" motivations are part of today's extremist threat.

Russian Bounty Intel Sparks Confusion Over How President Is Briefed

8:06am July 01, 2020

by Greg Myre

Details surrounding Russia's alleged bounties on US troops raise questions about the intelligence. How is the intelligence handled? When does the President get briefed despite differing opinions?

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Rep. Elissa Slotkin On The White House Briefing Regarding Russian Bounties

5:39pm June 30, 2020

NPR's Mary Louise Kelly speaks with Rep. Elissa Slotkin of Michigan, who is a former CIA official, about the White House briefing to Democrats regarding Russian bounties offered to the Taliban.

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House Majority Leader Rep. Steny Hoyer walks through Statuary Hall at the U.S. Capitol.

Democrats Fault Trump Over Russia Bounty Allegations, Ask For More Information

4:41pm June 30, 2020

House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer led Democrats to a White House briefing on reported payments by Russia to militants in Afghanistan to target U.S. troops.