National Security

Iraqi soldiers walk in Jurf al-Sakhr, south of the capital Baghdad, on Monday after Iraqi military forces retook the area from Islamic State militants. Iraqi forces, supported by U.S. airstrikes, have made limited gains in recent months, but critics are q

With Limited Gains, U.S. Bombing Campaign Faces Growing Criticism

2:25pm October 30, 2014

by Tom Bowman

U.S. airstrikes against the Islamic State began nearly three months ago, yet there have been relatively few changes on the battlefield. Many analysts say the U.S. effort may not be sufficient.

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Russia Reportedly Suspected In Hack Of White House Network

12:43pm October 29, 2014

by Scott Neuman

The breach of the unclassified network is thought to be a state-sponsored effort, and The Washington Post reports that Russia is considered the most likely culprit.

National

Security Beefed Up At Federal Buildings Across U.S.

8:27pm October 28, 2014

by Carrie Johnson

The Department of Homeland Security is beefing up security at federal buildings as a precautionary measure after recent attacks in Canada and ongoing threats from the so-called Islamic State.

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Pentagon Says It Will Investigate Stray Arms Drop Over Syria

2:55pm October 22, 2014

by Scott Neuman

The self-declared Islamic State has released a video purporting to show its fighters rifling through a crate of grenades airdropped by a U.S. military cargo plane.

Former Blackwater Worldwide guard Nicholas Slatten leaves federal court in Washington in June. Slatten on Wednesday was found guilty of first-degree murder in the deaths of 14 Iraqi civilians in 2007.

Blackwater Guards Found Guilty In 2007 Shootings In Iraq

2:42pm October 22, 2014

by Scott Neuman

One guard was found guilty of first-degree murder and three others of voluntary manslaughter in a 2007 incident in Baghdad in which 14 civilians were killed.

3 American Teens Reportedly Suspected Of Trying To Join ISIS

7:23am October 22, 2014

by Lauren Hodges

Three Denver teens were stopped at a German airport and sent home to the U.S. Their disappearance was originally treated as a standard runaway case.

National

ISIS Threat Is 'Extremely Worrying' Says Counter-Insurgency Expert

11:44am October 20, 2014

A decade after the U.S. took control of Fallujah, America is at war again. NPR's Rachel Martin talks with former Lt. Col. John Nagl, whose counter-insurgency manual helped shape U.S. strategy in Iraq.

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DOD: Climate Change Is A Volatile Factor In International Security

11:43am October 20, 2014

The Department of Defense says climate change is an "immediate risk" to the nation. Adm. David Titley talks with NPR's Rachel Martin about how the military must respond.

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Kurdish fighters move into position in Kobani, Syria on the border with Turkey Sunday, Oct. 19, 2014.

U.S. Airdrops Weapons, Ammo, Medical Supplies To Kurds In Kobani

2:38am October 20, 2014

by Lauren Hodges

In an effort assist Kurdish forces in the Syrian border town, the U.S. military said Sunday the dropped supplies were meant to help resistance to Islamic State efforts to control Kobani.

Free Syrian Army fighters sit in a house on the outskirts of Aleppo, Syria, in June 2012. The U.S. is planning to train and arm the rebels, who have been outgunned on the battlefield.

Syria's 'Moderate Rebels' Say They Are Willing, But Need Weapons

10:26pm October 19, 2014

by Peter Kenyon

The Free Syrian Army has been outgunned in the country's multi-sided civil war. But they say they have fighting experience, and if the U.S. provides arms and training they could play a key role.

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