pentagon run-down Archives

By Jeff Schogol Dec 5, 2020

Analysis

‘Modicum of success’ is the new ‘Mission Accomplished’ for Afghanistan

What Milley is saying is the United States has succeeded in not losing the war – yet.

By Jeff Schogol Feb 22, 2020

Pentagon Run-Down

The New York Times just turned the floor over to a terrorist and Taliban leader

The New York Times failed to inform its readers that Sirajuddin Haqqani is a wanted terrorist with a $5 million...

By Jeff Schogol Feb 15, 2020

News

The border wall is a succubus draining ever more of the Pentagon’s budget

Since April, the Defense Department has committed to funding a total of 481 miles of border wall, of which more...

By Jeff Schogol Feb 8, 2020

popular

Here’s why budget day at the Pentagon is better than sex

If you're a trade reporter, budget day is like Independence Day, Christmas, and the Super Bowl wrapped up in a...

By Jeff Schogol Feb 1, 2020

popular

The F-35 is an overpriced lemon that doesn’t work

It is clear that defense industry is totally incompetent or deliberately slow rolling fixes to gouge taxpayers. Perhaps it's both.

By Jeff Schogol Jan 26, 2020

popular

An Afghanistan peace deal is shimmering above the horizon — just like a desert mirage

Your friend and humble narrator is extremely skeptical that peace may be at hand.

By Jeff Schogol Jan 11, 2020

popular

The missiles have stopped flying but Iran isn’t done yet

'I expect things to quiet down for a little, but I don't think this is over … simply because of...

By Jeff Schogol Jan 4, 2020

popular

A looming conflict with Iran shows Congress needs to care about declaring war again

"There's no question that President Trump has escalated things with Iran dramatically but it's never too late for Congress to...

By Jeff Schogol Dec 14, 2019

popular

There are lies, damn lies, and even more damn lies about Afghanistan

As Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) pointed out during the June 2018 confirmation hearing for the current U.S. and NATO commander...

By Jeff Schogol Dec 8, 2019

popular

The Pentagon’s troop deployment denials means nothing when the White House screams ‘fake news’ all the time

We live in the Bizarro universe where disinformation is the coin of the realm.

By Jeff Schogol Nov 17, 2019

popular

A literal run-down of everything you missed amid Washington’s impeachment frenzy

Tired of the non-stop coverage of the Trump impeachment inquiry? Take a mental health day and read this story.

By Jeff Schogol Nov 10, 2019

popular

Here are some outstanding veterans you should know about this Veterans Day

In the spirit of Veterans Day, I am focusing on some exceptional people who have worn the uniform.

By Jeff Schogol Nov 3, 2019

popular

It’s not bias to ask if Trump and the Pentagon know what they are doing

For the past 14 years, I've had the honor to tell the stories of U.S. service members who are taking...

By Jeff Schogol Oct 26, 2019

popular

Chaos at the Pentagon as military strategy changes with every Trump tweet

In past wars, it was possible to mark the U.S. military's positions with flags on paper maps. But we live...

By Jeff Schogol Oct 21, 2019

popular

Trump said we’d get ‘tired’ of winning so much, so why does the US keep losing?

So much winning

By Jeff Schogol Oct 13, 2019

popular

US troops in anguish as the White House and Pentagon give their Kurdish allies the middle finger

"We have not abandoned the Kurds, let me be clear about that," Defense Secretary Esper said on Friday. "We have...

By Jeff Schogol Sep 28, 2019

popular

The Pentagon is doing its damnedest to avoid being dragged into the Ukraine mess

Vice President Mike Pence said a $250 million security assistance package to Ukraine was withheld due to fears of corruption,...

By Jeff Schogol Sep 21, 2019

popular

Marine veteran Austin Tice has been held in Syria for 7 years. It’s time to bring him home

"He's been gone for seven years now and it's past time for him to be home. Congress can help accomplish...

By Jeff Schogol Sep 15, 2019

popular

The Pentagon needs to man up and hold a news briefing about Afghanistan

No one at the Pentagon or at the U.S. military's headquarters in Kabul dares to talk to the press about...

By Jeff Schogol Sep 2, 2019

popular

The news gods will be busy while The Pentagon Run-Down is on vacation

The news waits for no one, so expect much to happen during this reporter's absence.

By Jeff Schogol Aug 26, 2019

popular

Disaster strikes the Pentagon as Popeyes runs out of chicken sandwiches

A sign near the counter announced the scope of the disaster: "We out classic and spicy chicken sandwich," read the...

By Jeff Schogol Aug 19, 2019

popular

A Russian nuclear accident has killed at least 7 people. What happened remains a state secret

"First and foremost, we offer our deepest condolences to those families who lost loved ones in this recent explosion," said...

By Jeff Schogol Aug 11, 2019

popular

Stressed out about passing your PT test? The Air Force has got you covered.

"This specific effort is meant to help get us to a culture of fitness and alleviate some of this anxiety...

By Jeff Schogol Aug 5, 2019

popular

Quick reminder: We’re on the eve of destruction as the INF Treaty expires

It's not time to panic, but it might be good to brush up on your 'duck and cover' skills.

By Jeff Schogol Jul 29, 2019

popular

The SEALs can learn a lot from the Marines about honesty

Unlike the SEALs, the Marines understand that hiding bad news does not make it go away.

pentagon run-down

News

Featured in pentagon run-down

‘Modicum of success’ is the new ‘Mission Accomplished’ for Afghanistan

The New York Times just turned the floor over to a terrorist and Taliban leader

The border wall is a succubus draining ever more of the Pentagon’s budget

Here’s why budget day at the Pentagon is better than sex

The F-35 is an overpriced lemon that doesn’t work

An Afghanistan peace deal is shimmering above the horizon — just like a desert mirage

The missiles have stopped flying but Iran isn’t done yet

A looming conflict with Iran shows Congress needs to care about declaring war again

There are lies, damn lies, and even more damn lies about Afghanistan

The Pentagon’s troop deployment denials means nothing when the White House screams ‘fake news’ all the time

A literal run-down of everything you missed amid Washington’s impeachment frenzy

Here are some outstanding veterans you should know about this Veterans Day

It’s not bias to ask if Trump and the Pentagon know what they are doing

Chaos at the Pentagon as military strategy changes with every Trump tweet

Trump said we’d get ‘tired’ of winning so much, so why does the US keep losing?

US troops in anguish as the White House and Pentagon give their Kurdish allies the middle finger

The Pentagon is doing its damnedest to avoid being dragged into the Ukraine mess

Marine veteran Austin Tice has been held in Syria for 7 years. It’s time to bring him home

The Pentagon needs to man up and hold a news briefing about Afghanistan

The news gods will be busy while The Pentagon Run-Down is on vacation

Disaster strikes the Pentagon as Popeyes runs out of chicken sandwiches

A Russian nuclear accident has killed at least 7 people. What happened remains a state secret

Stressed out about passing your PT test? The Air Force has got you covered.

Quick reminder: We’re on the eve of destruction as the INF Treaty expires

The SEALs can learn a lot from the Marines about honesty