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Robert Burns
US Defense Secretary Jim Mattis listens to a question on the Department of Defense budget posture during a Senate Armed Services Committee hearing, April 26, 2018, on Capitol Hill in Washington. (Jacquelyn Martin/AP)
April 26, 2018, 8:41 pm
Mattis says Iran nuclear deal includes ‘robust’ verification
US defense secretary tells Senate panel that administration is still mulling whether agreement can be fixed, Trump has not decided whether to withdraw
By Robert Burns
US Ambassador to the UN Nikki Haley speaks during a question-and-answer session at the University of Chicago's Institute of Politics on February 22, 2018 (screen capture)
April 16, 2018, 4:05 pm
US to hit Russia with new sanctions for aiding Syria’s Assad
Trump's UN Ambassador Nikki Haley indicates measures will be imposed Monday following suspected chemical weapons attack in Douma
By Hope Yen and Robert Burns
This image provided by the Department of Defense was presented as part of a briefing slide at the Pentagon briefing on Saturday, April 14, 2018, and shows a photo of a preliminary damage assessment from the Him Shinshar Chemical Weapons Bunker in Syria that was struck by missiles from the U.S.-led coalition in response to Syria's use of chemical weapons on April 7. (Department of Defense via AP)
April 15, 2018, 4:07 am
Despite strikes, Assad retains chemical capability, Pentagon admits
Syria dictator still has poison gas and the means to deliver it; defected general says allied attacks didn't target the 'heart' of his program
By Robert Burns
US President Donald Trump addresses the nation on the situation in Syria April 13, 2018 at the White House in Washington, DC. Trump said strikes on Syria are under way. (AFP PHOTO / Mandel NGAN)
April 14, 2018, 4:48 pm
‘Mission Accomplished’ in Syria, Trump declares after strikes
US president says major Allied military operation in response to regime's suspected chemical attacks 'could not have gone better'
By Robert Burns, Jill Colvin and Zeke Miller
US President Donald Trump in the Oval Office of the White House, in Washington, April 10, 2018. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)
April 13, 2018, 4:23 am
Trump puts off Syria strike decision, will consult with allies
White House says it's 'continuing to assess intelligence' after US president tweeted that military action against Syria would happen 'very soon or not so soon at all'
By Robert Burns and Catherine Lucey
This photo released by the Syrian Civil Defense White Helmets, which has been authenticated based on its contents and other AP reporting, shows smoke rising after Syrian government airstrikes hit in the town of Douma, in the Eastern Ghouta region east of Damascus, Syria, on April 7, 2018. (Syrian Civil Defense White Helmets via AP)
April 11, 2018, 10:18 am
After gas attack, US, UK, France weigh strike on Syria by end of week
Sources say Trump consulting with international allies on possible joint military response to Assad, but no firm decisions made
By Robert Burns and Josh Lederman
US President Donald Trump speaks during a cabinet meeting at the White House in Washington, DC, April 9, 2018. (NICHOLAS KAMM/AFP)
April 9, 2018, 10:56 pm
Trump promises decision ‘very quickly’ on Syria response
US president vows to uncover culprits of alleged chemical weapons attack, lists Iran, Russia as likely suspects, says even Putin will 'pay the price,' if necessary
By Robert Burns, Matthew Lee and Jonathan Lemire
Incoming National Security Adviser John Bolton seen on the driveway of the White House on March 27, 2018 in Washington, DC. (AFP PHOTO / Mandel NGAN)
March 27, 2018, 11:13 pm
Mattis says no problem with Bolton despite differences over Iran, Pyongyang
US defense secretary, known for preferring diplomacy over war, has 'no reservations' about working with hawkish national security adviser
By Robert Burns
US Secretary of Defense Jim Mattis awaits the arrival of Indonesia's Minister of Foreign Affairs Retno Marsudi, March 26, 2018, at the Pentagon. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin)
March 27, 2018, 11:11 am
Is Mattis growing isolated as Trump adds hawkish Bolton?
While often praised by the president, the defense secretary may be facing turbulent time ahead in an administration notorious for its turnover
By Robert Burns
US Defense Secretary Jim Mattis arrives in Kabul, Afghanistan on Tuesday, March 13, 2018. (AP Photo/Robert Burns)
March 16, 2018, 9:40 am
Mattis accuses Iran of ‘mucking around’ in Iraq’s elections
'Not an insignificant amount of money' being used 'to sway candidates, to sway votes,' charges US defense chief
By Robert Burns
Illustrative: This handout image provided Tuesday, July 25, 2017, from the US Navy purports to show an Iranian vessel making a close approach to a US coastal patrol ship USS Thunderbolt, right. (US Navy via AP)
March 15, 2018, 11:51 am
US military official: Iran naval forces have deliberately halted ‘provocations’
Navy spokesman says no 'unprofessional' encounters with Iranian vessels recorded since August, after 14 such incidents occurred earlier in 2017
By Robert Burns
US Defense Secretary Jim Mattis speaks during the daily press briefing at the White House on February 7, 2018. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)
March 11, 2018, 4:29 pm
Pentagon head warns Syrian forces on chemical weapons
Mattis says Assad regime would be 'very unwise' to consider deploying chlorine gas
By Robert Burns
Journalists watch as Russian President Vladimir Putin gives his annual state of the nation address in Manezh in Moscow, Russia, Thursday, March 1, 2018. (AP Photo/Alexander Zemlianichenko)
March 2, 2018, 1:35 am
Putin’s nuke boasts could spark new arms race with US
Russian president's claims country tested cruise missile with 'unlimited' range are unlikely to change balance of power but may speed up weapons production in both East and West
By Robert Burns
Illustrative: B61 nuclear bombs on a rack. (Courtesy US Department of Defense)
February 3, 2018, 5:40 pm
Trump taking tougher stance on Russia nuclear threat
Nuclear review also outlines North Korea and China as potential atomic adversaries; no plans to increase size of arsenal
By Robert Burns
US President Donald Trump arrives on Capitol Hill in Washington, November 16, 2017. (AP Photo/Susan Walsh)
November 16, 2017, 11:50 pm
Pentagon accidentally retweets call for Trump to resign
Message telling Roy Moore, Al Franken and US president to step down 'would not be endorsed by Department of Defense'
By Robert Burns
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