National Security

Russia Welcomes Confirmation Of Rex Tillerson As Secretary Of State

7:33pm February 02, 2017

by Lucian Kim

Russian officials are welcoming the confirmation of Rex Tillerson as the new secretary of state. They are expecting Tillerson, who was formerly the CEO of ExxonMobil, to help improve relations with the Kremlin.

Queue Listen Now

Watchdog Opens Probe Into Homeland Security's Handling Of Immigration Order

7:33pm February 02, 2017

by Brian Naylor

A government watchdog will review the way in which the Department of Homeland Security implemented President Trump's executive order on immigration, including whether the department has followed court orders.

Queue Listen Now

House Speaker Paul Ryan meets with reporters on Thursday. He said he would support additional sanctions on Iran following a ballistic missile test over the weekend.

Lawmakers Raise Possibility Of Sanctions Against Iran

6:51pm February 02, 2017

by Rebecca Hersher

Following a ballistic missile test by Iran on Sunday, the speaker of the House said he would be in favor of additional sanctions, as did the chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee.

U.S. Acknowledges Death Of Civilians In Yemen Raid

6:25pm February 02, 2017

by Tom Bowman

The U.S. military has acknowledged that civilians were killed in last weekend's special operations raid in Yemen. Other questions continue to swirl, however, including whether American forces' surprise was blown and whether their target was indeed an al-Qaida terrorist as they believed.

Queue Listen Now

After Missile Launch, White House Warns Iran But Offers No Action Plan

6:25pm February 02, 2017

by Mary Louise Kelly

The White House says it's putting Iran officially "on notice" after its missile launch over the weekend. But officials offered no details on what exactly that means, or whether military options are on the table. It's another example of what's already emerging as a pattern for the Trump administration: coming out swinging with tough words, before having consulted or decided on an actual policy.

Queue Listen Now

Secretary of State Rex Tillerson visits memorial wall plaques in the lobby of the State Department on Thursday. The plaques honor employees who died in the line of duty.

Tillerson Takes The Helm At The State Department, Promising Respect And Honesty

5:30pm February 02, 2017

by Michele Kelemen

Tillerson's reverent message was well-received by many diplomats after the White House called on them, in response to recent dissent over the Trump administration, to "get with the program" or leave.

The rotunda of the Capitol during the inauguration of Donald Trump in January.

Where Does Your Member Of Congress Stand On Trump's Immigration Order?

8:30pm February 01, 2017

NPR and dozens of member stations searched for public statements by all 536 members of Congress. Use our interactive tracker to see what your lawmakers have — or have not — said about the order.

White House National Security Adviser Michael Flynn (right) put "Iran on notice" on Wednesday for a recent missile test and support for Houthi rebels in Yemen.

White House Warns Iran But Plans No Immediate New Action

7:02pm February 01, 2017

by Philip Ewing

National Security Adviser Mike Flynn says Iran is "on notice," but the White House announced no new military action or other responses to what he called its provocations.

Senate Confirms Rex Tillerson As Secretary Of State In Narrow Vote

5:29pm February 01, 2017

by Michele Kelemen

Hundreds of American diplomats have signed a document criticizing President Trump's travel ban on people from seven majority Muslim nations. The Senate confirmed Trump's secretary of state on Wednesday.

Queue Listen Now

Former U.S. Diplomat Weighs In On State Department Dissent Cable

5:29pm February 01, 2017

NPR's Ari Shapiro interviews former U.S. diplomat John Brady Kiesling about how a dissent channel works and responds to the White House message to career diplomats that they should "either get with the program or they can go."

Queue Listen Now