National Security

President Biden speaks to Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison on Wednesday during the virtual announcement of a trilateral defense partnership with Australia and the U.K. British Prime Minister Boris Johnson also joined in.

Why Biden Is Taking The Rare Step Of Sharing Nuclear Submarine Tech With Australia

9:34pm September 15, 2021

by Ayesha Rascoe

The Australian navy will be able to patrol faster and farther with the submarine technology. The rare move comes as the United States looks for ways to counter China.

Gen. Mark Milley, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, sought to reassure China's military that the U.S. wasn't planning an attack in the final months of former President Donald Trump's term in office, according to the book Peril.

Gen. Milley Defends His Call To A Chinese General About Trump's Rhetoric And The U.S.

7:39pm September 15, 2021

by Bill Chappell

A new book, Peril, says the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff was attempting to head off a potential armed conflict when he called his Chinese counterpart twice in Trump's final months in office.

Asylum-seekers camping at El Chaparral crossing port line up to be vaccinated against COVID-19 last month in Tijuana, Mexico, on the border with the U.S.

The U.S. Will Require Would-Be Immigrants To Prove They've Been Vaccinated For COVID

5:45pm September 15, 2021

by Bill Chappell

The COVID-19 shot joins a list of well-established vaccines required by the U.S., aimed at preventing dangerous diseases such as polio and varicella (chickenpox).

The U.S. Is Figuring Out How To Go Forward With The Taliban's Interim Government

5:40pm September 15, 2021

by Michele Kelemen

The Taliban took over Kabul a month ago. How is the U.S. dealing with the group's interim government in Afghanistan and what challenges lie ahead?

National

FBI Director Testified On How Agents Handled The Larry Nassar Case

5:15pm September 15, 2021

Lawmakers have been critical of how the FBI mishandled the investigation of Larry Nassar. Several prominent gymnasts abused by Nassar are testifying about the case to the Senate Judiciary Committee.

United States, United Kingdom And Australia To Form New Security Alliance

5:02pm September 15, 2021

by John Ruwitch

President Biden has announced a new security partnership between the U.S., U.K. and Australia focused on the Indo-Pacific region. It includes the sharing of nuclear submarine technology to Australia.

Climate Change Is Creating Unrelenting Challenges For The Country's Power Grid

4:25pm September 15, 2021

The infrastructure bill will set aside billions of dollars to update the electric grid. Experts weigh in on whether or not it will be enough as extreme weather events disrupt access to electricity.

Does Senate Testimony On Afghanistan Withdrawal Offer Clarity — Or Frustrations?

5:12pm September 14, 2021

NPR's Ailsa Chang talks with Sen. Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn., a member of the Armed Services Committee who heard testimony from Gen. Austin "Scott" Miller about the messy withdrawal from Afghanistan.

National

Latest Apple Software Update Will Fix A Security Flaw Spyware Used To Access Devices

4:52pm September 14, 2021

Apple has fixed a flaw that allowed hackers access to device cameras, microphones and messages without users knowing — or even clicking a link.

The DOJ Is Investigating Georgia's Prison System For Civil Rights Violations

4:52pm September 14, 2021

by Lisa Hagen

The Department of Justice is launching a probe into the conditions of Georgia's state prison system, citing high levels of violence and gang activity.