National Security

Russian Air Strikes In Syria Complicate A Very Messy War

4:38pm October 01, 2015

by Tom Bowman

Russia carried out some 20 air strikes in Syria on Wednesday. Now the U.S. military is scrambling to make sure American and Russian war planes steer clear of each other over the skies of Syria.

Queue Listen Now

Wife Of Pastor Jailed In Iran Skeptical Of Possible Prisoner Swap

1:03pm October 01, 2015

by Michele Kelemen

At the United Nations, Iran's President has come and gone, and the wife of one jailed American is losing hope of pleading her case to the Iranian delegation. Naghmeh Abedini's husband is a Christian pastor, and she says his life in prison has only gotten worse since the nuclear deal with Iran.

Queue Listen Now

U.S. Military To Make Recommendations On Women In Combat

7:42pm September 30, 2015

by Tom Bowman

Defense Secretary Ash Carter refused to discuss upcoming recommendations on women in combat Wednesday. Some expect the Marines to ask for permission to exclude women from some positions.

Queue Listen Now

Afghan Forces Struggle To Retake Kunduz From Taliban

7:20pm September 30, 2015

by Philip Reeves

The Taliban overran the Afghan city of Kunduz earlier this week. This comes just a few months after a new leader took over the Taliban and a year after President Ashraf Ghani took power of the Afghan government.

Queue Listen Now

Russian Warplanes Strike Several Targets In Syria

6:49pm September 30, 2015

by Alice Fordham

Russia carried out a series of airstrikes in Syria Wednesday, giving short notice to the U.S. that it also has planes in the air nearby and is calling out for more coordination.

Queue Listen Now

Russia Launches Airstrikes Against Bashar Al-Assad Enemies In Syria

6:44pm September 30, 2015

by Corey Flintoff

Russia warplanes have begun bombing targets in Syria, according to U.S. officials. They say they were briefed by Moscow about the raids, which came hours after the Russian parliament authorized President Vladimir Putin to use Russian forces abroad.

Queue Listen Now

Pulling Back The Curtain On DARPA, The Pentagon's 'Brain'

2:05pm September 30, 2015

From stealth technology to GPS to vaccines, the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency — or DARPA — has developed some of the most consequential weapons and technology through the ages. Annie Jacobsen, author of the new book "The Pentagon's Brain," talks with Steve Inskeep about the agency's storied past and its intriguing future.

Queue Listen Now

Report: 250 Americans Have Gone To Syria And Iraq To Fight

1:55pm September 29, 2015

A congressional report scheduled for release Tuesday suggests some 30,000 people worldwide have gone to Syria to fight in recent years. That includes some 250 Americans who've gone there and to Iraq.

Queue Listen Now

Taliban Attacks Northern Afghan City Of Kunduz

6:25am September 29, 2015

by Philip Reeves

The Taliban have launched a massive attack on the northern Afghan city of Kunduz. There are reports that they have taken over parts of the city.

Queue Listen Now

Obama, Putin Give Dueling Speeches On Syrian Conflict At United Nations

10:23pm September 28, 2015

by Michele Kelemen

Russian President Vladimir Putin made his first appearance at the United Nations General Assembly in a decade on Monday. Iran's President is also speaking in the wake of his country's nuclear deal with world powers.

Queue Listen Now