National Security

National

The Pentagon has announced new rules to counter extremism within the U.S. military

5:41pm December 20, 2021

by Odette Yousef

The Pentagon released an update to how it should handle extremism within the ranks. The Department of Defense initiated the review after learning that military members took part in a Capitol attack.

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Rep. Brown, who pushed to address extremism in military, reacts to Pentagon report

5:13pm December 20, 2021

NPR's Ari Shapiro talks with Maryland Congressman Anthony Brown about the Defense Department's report on Monday about extremism in the military.

Revival of the Iran nuclear deal appears far-off

8:25am December 19, 2021

by Scott Detrow

Scott Detrow gets an update on the ongoing Iran-U.S. nuclear deal talks in Vienna from journalist Negar Mortazavi.

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Pilots from the American Volunteer Group sit in front of a P-40 airplane in Kunming, China, on March 27, 1942. The group was notable for its unusual mission: Its members were mercenaries hired by China to fight against Japan.

The Flying Tigers: How a group of Americans ended up fighting for China in WW II

7:01am December 19, 2021

by James Doubek

In 1941, Japan was on the offensive against China. So China hired a group of Americans to fight back in the skies. Eighty years ago this week, they fought in their first battle.

Russia envoy says Moscow might up the ante if the West ignores its demands

5:26am December 18, 2021

by The Associated Press

Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov accused Western allies of continuously pushing the envelope in relations with Russia.

National

Ex-cop Kimberly Potter testified in trial for Duante Wright's death

6:08pm December 17, 2021

by Matt Sepic

The white ex-Minnesota police officer who killed Daunte Wright, a Black man, during a traffic stop testified at her manslaughter trial. Kimberly Potter said she mistakenly used her gun, not her Taser.

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Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin speaks during a media briefing at the Pentagon last month. The military branches have begun discharging people who refuse to get vaccinated against COVID-19.

U.S. military moves to discharge service members who refuse to get vaccinated

4:47pm December 17, 2021

by Matthew S. Schwartz

Military officials say that, after months of warnings, they have begun disciplinary actions. The Army has reprimanded 2,700 soldiers and said it will begin discharge proceedings in the new year.

National

Prosecutor in Crumbley case says charging parents in school shootings is warranted

6:07pm December 16, 2021

NPR's Mary Louise Kelly speaks with Oakland County prosecutor Karen McDonald about working on the Oxford High School shooting case and working towards safer schools.

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Rep. Kinzinger discusses the events of Jan. 6 as congressional inquiries heat up

5:03pm December 16, 2021

NPR's Audie Cornish speaks with Rep. Adam Kinzinger, R-Ill., about his role on the House committee investigating the Jan. 6 insurrection.

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President Biden presents the Medal of Honor to Army Master Sgt. Earl Plumlee for his actions in Afghanistan on Aug. 28, 2013.

Biden awards Medals of Honor to 3 soldiers who served in Iraq and Afghanistan

4:20pm December 16, 2021

by Brian Naylor

The medals were given for acts of "gallantry and intrepidity above and beyond the call of duty." Two were awarded posthumously, including one to the first Black recipient since the Vietnam War.