National Security

Portsmouth Naval Shipyard in Kittery, Maine, seen last year, is one of the shipyards getting an influx of reservists to handle a work backlog caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Navy Calls 1,629 Reservists To Shipyards Left Shorthanded By COVID-19 Pandemic

4:15pm June 16, 2020

by Tom Bowman

Four shipyards are getting the extra help. Officials say, if left unchecked, aircraft and submarine maintenance backlogs would result in delays in returning ships to the fleet.

Russian Court Convicts An American Of Spying

5:22pm June 15, 2020

by Greg Myre

A Russian court has convicted an American, Paul Whelan, Monday of spying and sentenced him to 16 years of hard labor. The case could have repercussions for the already troubled U.S.-Russia relations.

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Then U.S. Secretary of Defense Robert Gates walks from an Osprey aircraft after landing at Forward Operating Base Dwyer on June 5, 2011 in Kandahar province, Afghanistan.

In 'Exercise Of Power' Robert Gates Says Presidents Too Often Rely On The Military

9:47am June 15, 2020

by Tom Bowman

In his latest book, the former defense secretary says some matters more often than not call for other elements of American power: diplomacy or foreign aid or clear strategic communications.

U.S. citizen Paul Whelan attends a sentencing hearing on Monday at the Moscow City Court on charges of espionage against Russia.

American Paul Whelan, Held In Russia On Spy Charges, Is Sentenced To 16 Years

8:28am June 15, 2020

by Scott Neuman

Whelan was arrested in 2018 at a hotel in Moscow. Russian officials say he was in possession of classified information, but the former U.S. Marine says he was set up.

U.S. soldiers walk alongside tanks from the U.S. 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division, parked at Germany's Bremerhaven port on Feb. 21. The U.S. could be considering drawing down a portion of its armed forces based in Germany.

A Possible Plan To Pull U.S. Troops From Germany Causes A Stir In Both Countries

6:20pm June 12, 2020

by Rob Schmitz

Reports that the White House wants to pull 9,500 troops out of Germany have raised concerns among current and former officials. Russia welcomed the possible move.

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National

No-Knock Warrants: How Common They Are And Why Police Are Using Them

4:09pm June 12, 2020

NPR' Mary Louise Kelly speaks with Radley Balko, an investigative journalist and the author of the book Rise of the Warrior Cop, about police using the so-called no-knock warrants.

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National

The Link Between Disproportionate Police Brutality And Police Unions

4:09pm June 12, 2020

Data shows that the police's disproportionate use of force is associated with the fact that it is hard to prosecute officers for wrongful killings — and one possible reason for that is police unions.

National

Terrorism Researchers Link The Spike In Vehicle Ramming Attacks With The Far Right

4:09pm June 12, 2020

by Hannah Allam

Nearly three dozen incidents of cars ramming into protesters have been recorded since the start of unrest over George Floyd's death. Researchers say it appears to be a growing tactic of the far right.

Former Trump national security adviser Michael Flynn, pictured in June 2019, had a hearing on Friday about the government's effort to drop its case against him.

Appeals Court Appears Skeptical Of Flynn's Bid To Force Judge To Dismiss Case

2:12pm June 12, 2020

by Ryan Lucas

A panel of judges seemed dubious about ordering a lower court to stop a review process launched after the Justice Department said it was dropping charges against Michael Flynn.

An Iraqi soldier stands guard near a U.S. military air carrier at the Qayyarah Airfield West, before the U.S. transferred the base to Iraqi forces in March.

Laid Off By U.S. Contractor, Iraqi Interpreters Fear ISIS Retaliation

1:57pm June 12, 2020

by Jane Arraf

A U.S. military contractor abruptly laid off most of the U.S.-led coalition's Iraqi interpreters. Some have gone into hiding. "We ... will be easily hunted down," a group wrote to the U.S. military.