Join our Community
Support ToI and remove all ads
Learn more
search
Robert Burns
US President Joe Biden speaks at a FEMA COVID-19 mass vaccination site at NRG Stadium in Houston, Texas, Feb. 26, 2021. (AP Photo/Patrick Semansky)
February 27, 2021, 1:34 am
Biden says US airstrikes in Syria sent warning to Iran: ‘Be careful’
US president says strike meant to tell Tehran, ‘You can’t act with impunity’; several leading Democratic lawmakers denounce attack, Republicans more supportive
By Lolita C. Baldor, Robert Burns and Qassim Abdul-Zahra
Then Secretary of Defense nominee Lloyd Austin speaks during his confirmation hearing before the Senate Armed Services Committee on Capitol Hill in Washington, January 19, 2021. (Jim Lo Scalzo/Pool via AP)
January 22, 2021, 6:56 pm
US Senate confirms Lloyd Austin as first Black secretary of defense
93-2 vote comes despite prohibition on recently retired military officers overseeing Pentagon; Biden expected to win approval for rest of national security team in coming days
By Robert Burns and Andrew Taylor
Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., holds a news conference on the day after violent protesters loyal to President Donald Trump stormed the US Congress, at the Capitol in Washington, Thursday, Jan. 7, 2021. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)
January 9, 2021, 7:26 pm
Pelosi’s talk of limits on Trump’s nuclear power raises old worry
The president has the sole authority to order a US nuclear attack, but some safeguards do exist
By Robert Burns
Then US Central Command Commander Gen. Lloyd Austin III testifies on Capitol Hill in Washington, Sept. 16, 2015. (AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais)
December 9, 2020, 1:21 am
Biden pitches retired general Lloyd Austin for US secretary of defense
President-elect urges Congress to waive prohibition against a recently serving military officer running Pentagon
By Robert Burns and Jonathan Lemire
In this Sept. 16, 2015, photo, US Central Command Commander Gen. Lloyd Austin III, testifies on Capitol Hill in Washington. Biden will nominate retired four-star Army general Lloyd J. Austin to be secretary of defense. That's according to three people familiar with the decision who spoke on condition of anonymity because the selection hadn't been formally announced. (AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais, File)
December 8, 2020, 3:46 am
Biden to pick former general Lloyd Austin as US secretary of defense
Austin would be first Black leader of Pentagon, selected ahead of longtime front-runner Michele Flournoy; move likely to draw opposition over putting ex-military man in post
By Robert Burns, MICHAEL BALSAMO, Jonathan Lemire and Zeke Miller
A junior sniper, assigned to the 1-186th Infantry Battalion, Task Force Guardian, Combined Joint Task Force - Horn of Africa, provides security for a 75th Expeditionary Airlift Squadron (EAS) C-130J Super Hercules during unloading operations at an unidentified location in Somalia June 28, 2020 (Tech. Sgt. Christopher Ruano/Combined Joint Task Force - Horn of Africa via AP)
December 5, 2020, 7:58 am
After US troop cuts in Iraq and Afghanistan, Trump orders pullout from Somalia
Majority of soldiers to be withdrawn in early 2021; move criticized as ‘surrender to al-Qaeda and a gift to China’; Pentagon says counter-terror work will continue
By Robert Burns
This Dec. 7, 2011 file photo shows former US Defense Undersecretary Michele Flournoy, preparing for a bilateral meeting in Beijing, China (AP Photo/Andy Wong, File)
December 3, 2020, 4:27 am
Biden faces pressure from competing factions over pick for secretary of defense
Progressive groups oppose leading contender Michèle Flournoy over her policies, while black leaders push for African American choice
By Steve Peoples and Robert Burns
IS fighters parade in commandeered Iraqi security forces armored vehicles down a main road in the northern city of Mosul, Iraq, more than two weeks after taking over the country's second largest city, June 23, 2014. (AP Photo)
December 1, 2020, 10:45 pm
Head of US fight against Islamic State quits in further defense jolt
NYT reports Christopher Maier forced out; Pentagon says ‘will continue to engage with our partners and allies to ensure the lasting defeat of ISIS’
By Robert Burns
Armed US soldiers stand guard in the motorcade for President Donald Trump as he makes a surprise Thanksgiving Day visit to the troops at Bagram Air Field, Afghanistan. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon, File)
November 20, 2020, 12:34 pm
US general warns Islamic State still a long-term threat in Iraq, Syria
As Trump pushes to withdraw troops from the Middle East, US Central Command chief says solution needed for refugees, or ‘we’re never really going to defeat ISIS’
By Robert Burns
US Marine carries a sand bag during the reinforcement of the US embassy compound in Baghdad, Iraq, January 4, 2020. (US Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Kyle C. Talbot via AP)
November 18, 2020, 3:00 am
Pentagon to slash troop levels in Iraq, Afghanistan by January, despite warnings
Trump administration moves to fulfill president’s pledge to withdraw soldiers from overseas, as Republicans, US allies, senior military leaders voice opposition to pullout
By Robert Burns and Lolita C. Baldor
Russian President Vladimir Putin chairs a Security Council meeting via video conference in Moscow, Russia, Friday, Oct. 16, 2020. (Alexei Druzhinin, Sputnik, Kremlin Pool Photo via AP)
October 17, 2020, 6:48 pm
White House rejects Putin response to US arms control offer
US National Security Adviser Robert O’Brien urges Russians to rethink stance ‘before a costly arms race ensues’
By Robert Burns and Deb Riechmann
Workers remove debris from the site of last week's explosion that hit the seaport of Beirut, Lebanon, Aug. 10, 2020 (AP Photo/Bilal Hussein)
August 12, 2020, 8:11 am
US contractor told Lebanese port official of chemicals risk 4 years ago
Unclear if official passed on warning, given during brief, impromptu inspection of physical security at the facility; assessment was briefly noted in State Department cable
By Robert Burns and Matthew Lee
In this Jan. 4, 2020, file photo a sign for at Fort Bragg, N.C., is shown. (AP Photo/Chris Seward)
June 11, 2020, 2:24 am
Trump rejects renaming military bases named for Confederate officers
Despite military showing willingness to rename 10 bases, US president says such a move would show ‘complete disrespect’ for soldiers who served and trained there over the years
By Robert Burns
In this June 1, 2020, file photo President Donald Trump departs the White House to visit outside St. John's Church in Washington. (AP Photo/Patrick Semansky, File)
June 4, 2020, 3:51 am
Pentagon-Trump clash breaks open over military and protests
Defense chief refuses president’s request for troops to quell protests but decision to send some soldiers back to home bases from DC area reversed
By Zeke Miller and Robert Burns
US Defense Secretary Mark Esper speaks during a press briefing about the coronavirus in the Rose Garden of the White House on May 15, 2020, in Washington. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)
June 3, 2020, 9:29 pm
US defense chief says no military for protests as standby troops leave
Trump’s call to use active-duty troops against demonstrators leads to widespread backlash
By Zeke Miller and Robert Burns
Load More
Never miss breaking news on Israel
Get notifications to stay updated
You're subscribed