Featured in Pentagon Run-Down
Silence from the Pentagon as the US may have pulled back from the brink of war with Iran
"Assembling reporters to hear someone read a statement without the ability to ask questions risks further damage to the Department's credibility and the military's reputation for candor and trustworthiness. Questions from the press are not something to be feared."
Hey Pete Buttigieg. I haven’t met you. This is crazy. Here’s my number. So call me maybe?
Since Buttigieg is arguing that his military service would make him a better commander in chief than President Donald Trump, your friend and humble narrator is obliged to cover Mayor Pete nonetheless.
Navy pilots are reporting more UFOs. Are they from Russia, China, or somewhere beyond?
"I'd be very surprised if these were Russian or Chinese aircraft operating from Russia or China."
The Navy needs to fix itself because it keeps screwing up
If all of the military services were baseball teams, the Navy would be the 1962 Mets – a team so bad that columnist Jimmy Breslin wrote a book about them called, "Can't Anybody Here Play This Game?"
The Pentagon is using the same old Vietnam playbook for dealing with Iran
The Forever Wars have reminded us of the Vietnam-era lesson that decisions about when the United States should go to war, how many troops should be sent to the fight, and what would constitute victory are vexingly complicated.
Trump raises questions about killing vs. murder by embracing US troops accused of war crimes
"There's a difference between killing somebody with the discipline that is inculcated through military training and throwing all that training away and just becoming a commonplace murderer. When we act no better than ISIS, we should not be surprised that we have trouble finding allies or cooperation from local people."
No signs of an imminent US invasion of Venezuela as Maduro stays in power, for now
At the moment, it does not appear that the Pentagon is prepared to go full Leroy Jenkins and deploy the 82nd Airborne Division over downtown Caracas.
Afghanistan in 2019: This is what losing looks like
"The Afghan people know which districts are controlled by the Taliban. The Taliban obviously know which districts they control. Our military knows it. Everybody in Afghanistan knows. The only people who don't know what's going on are people who are paying for all of this, and that's the American taxpayer."
An aging reporter ruminates on covering the military over two decades
If wisdom comes with age, then one thing this reporter has learned from covering troops for years is this: There are no turning points. That means anyone who claims Afghanistan has "turned the corner" or "a dark and painful era" in Iraqi history has ended either doesn't grasp the nature of the post 9/11 wars or is too afraid of failure to tell the truth.
The Pentagon thinks it doesn’t need to talk to the press. Here’s why they’re wrong.
You deserve answers from the higher ups, who seem obsessed with making your lives more complicated. The Pentagon briefing room isn't big enough for you to hold the military brass' feet to the fire; so by God, they will answer to me.
Shanahan’s comments cause a disturbance in the Space Force
Before Space Force can land on Klendathu, it needs to get past the chairman of the House Armed Services Committee.
The Syria withdrawal and Pentagon spin: When ‘plan’ and ‘decisions’ don’t mean anything
The words "plan" and "decisions" allow defense officials to play all sorts of rhetorical games about the Syria withdrawal.
Leaving Afghanistan: How the first ‘Forever War’ might finally end.
"This 'plan,' like the Trump administration's negotiations with the Taliban, is fanciful. Victory will not be had just because you declare it."
Trump wants to give peace a chance, and it’s not working
Trump wants peace for our time, but his reach often exceeds his grasp.
Shanahan and Congress have changed their relationship status to ‘it’s complicated’ over troops in Syria
"I always think of Sen. Graham as an ally and we have shared interests. He is a problem-solver and I am very confident we will come together with solutions for Syria."
After Valentine’s Day, it’s clear the Pentagon is in love with great power competition
Russia and China just have the je ne sais quoi to completely upend the entire world that terrorists can't seem to match.
How to find a special connection with the Pentagon while staying in the friendship zone
To cover the Pentagon, one must make it the center of one's universe.
What the hell is going on in Venezuela? An explanation
"I don't think the White House staff said: 'Hey, we can get a war going in Venezuela. It will throw manure on your trail.'"
This One Book Will Tell You Everything You Need To Know About Acting SecDef Patrick Shanahan
"His views are all in there: his leadership philosophy, his ideas on establishing harmony across large organizations, and the way he compartmentalizes a broad problem set into identifiable, solvable chunks."
The Pentagon Is Not Pissing Away As Much Money As You Think
The Pentagon says it has been hurting for money, but it may have some extra $100 bills tucked in its thong.
Mattis is Gone. Patrick Shanahan Is Now In Wonderland.
Patrick Shanahan has swallowed the "Red Pill" from the Matrix. Now he'll see how deep this rabbit hole goes.