National Security

Protesters in Seoul, South Korea, on Nov. 14 march ahead of a visit by U.S. Defense Secretary Mark Esper.

As Tensions Rise Over Defense Costs, U.S. Walks Out Of Talks With South Korea

9:56pm November 19, 2019

by Anthony Kuhn

The U.S. reportedly is demanding that South Korea pay $5 billion for the coming year. The issue is putting stress not seen in years on the decades-old alliance between the U.S. and South Korea.

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Two correctional officers who were guarding Jeffrey Epstein's cell were charged by federal prosecutors on Tuesday with making false records and conspiracy.

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Jeffrey Epstein's Prison Guards Are Indicted On Federal Charges

9:37pm November 19, 2019

by Bobby Allyn

Prosecutors say the two officers neglected to check on Epstein every half-hour, as they were required to, and falsified prison logs to make it appear as if they were keeping an eye on him.

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Taliban Release 2 Hostages In Exchange With Afghan Government For 3 Prisoners

5:51pm November 19, 2019

by Tom Bowman

The Taliban released two Western hostages who were held for more than three years. The Afghan government released three Taliban prisoners. The move could be a precursor to restarting peace talks.

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Russian President Vladimir Putin participates in the G-20 Leaders' Summit in Buenos Aires, Argentina, in 2018.

In New Book, Journalist Alleges Russian Links To Mysterious Deaths Abroad

3:40pm November 19, 2019

by Dave Davies

BuzzFeed News editor Heidi Blake says Russian agents in Britain killed exiled Russian oligarchs, security officials and others critical of the Kremlin. Her new book is From Russia with Blood.

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Australian Timothy Weeks, (left), and American Kevin King were abducted by insurgents in Kabul in August 2016. They are seen here in video stills released by the Taliban in June 2017.

Taliban Release American And Australian Hostages In Exchange For 3 Militants

1:19pm November 19, 2019

American Kevin King and Australian Timothy Weeks were abducted in 2016 from Kabul, where they taught at the American University. Three Taliban commanders held by the Afghan government were also freed.

David Holmes, a career diplomat, leaves Capitol Hill on Nov. 15 after a deposition before congressional lawmakers as part of the House impeachment inquiry into President Trump.

READ: State Department Official David Holmes' Impeachment Inquiry Testimony

8:46pm November 18, 2019

by NPR Staff

The diplomat testified Nov. 15 that he overheard President Trump telling Gordon Sondland, the U.S. ambassador to the EU, that he was seeking political investigations from Ukraine's president.

Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs David Hale departs the U.S. Capitol after giving a closed-door deposition to the House committees conducting the impeachment inquiry of President Trump on Nov. 6.

READ: Testimony Of Top State Department Official David Hale

8:39pm November 18, 2019

by Elena Moore

Hale, the under secretary of state for political affairs, allegedly knew about the White House's push to recall Marie Yovanovitch, the former U.S. ambassador to Ukraine.

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Veterans React To 3 Controversial Pardons Issued By President Trump

5:59pm November 18, 2019

by Quil Lawrence

Veterans are still reacting to President Trump's controversial pardons of three alleged or convicted American war criminals.

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Secretary Of State Pompeo Announces Pro-Israel Move In Rare Press Briefing

5:20pm November 18, 2019

by Michele Kelemen

Secretary of State Mike Pompeo called a rare press conference to make a pro-Israel announcement, but steered away from questions about the impeachment inquiry and Ukraine.

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Afghan peace activists demand an end to war as they arrive in Kabul in June 2018, after marching hundreds of miles from Helmand.

Opinion: Afghans' Growing Demand For Peace Is Key To Ending Decades Of War

4:41pm November 18, 2019

"Not only do Afghans crave peace, they are more actively working for it at every level of society," write Nancy Lindborg and Andrew Wilder of the U.S. Institute of Peace.