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Robert Burns
The 957th and last of the Soviet Union's SS-23 shorter range missiles is destroyed at the Saryozek base in Kazakhstan, USSR, 27. October 1989, in keeping with the US-Soviet INF Treaty. (AP-Photo)
February 1, 2019, 7:39 pm
Trump blames Russia as US pulls out of nuclear arms treaty
Americans say Moscow has long been violating the INF, signed in 1987, that has been a centerpiece of superpower weapons control since the Cold War
By Deb Riechmann, Robert Burns and Matthew Lee
FBI chief Christopher Wray; CIA head Gina Haspel; Director of National Intelligence Dan Coats; Gen. Robert Ashley, director of the Defense Intelligence Agency; Gen. Paul Nakasone; and Robert Cardillo at the hearing on January 29, 2019 in Washington. (Win McNamee/Getty Images/AFP)
January 29, 2019, 9:08 pm
US spy agencies doubt North Korea will give up its nukes
Trump’s goal of a nuclear-disarmed North Korea unlikely as Kim ‘will seek to retain its WMD capabilities’
By Robert Burns
This file photo taken on December 30, 2018 shows a line of US military vehicles in Syria's northern city of Manbij (Delil Souleiman/AFP)
January 12, 2019, 4:54 am
US starts withdrawing supplies from Syria; soldiers will follow in weeks
Full pullout is expected to take several months; not clear what will become of hundreds of foreign IS fighters being held there
By Robert Burns
In this photo from April 28, 2017, US forces, accompanied by Kurdish People's Protection Units (YPG) fighters, drive their armored vehicles near the northern Syrian village of Darbasiyah, on the border with Turkey. (Delil Souleiman/AFP)
December 21, 2018, 3:16 am
Pentagon scrambles to plan Syria exit amid outrage over retreat
Officials say airstrikes may continue if other coalition partners stay, as lawmakers seek to reverse decision over concerns about abandoning Kurdish allies
By Robert Burns and Lolita Baldor
US soldiers gather for a brief during a combined joint patrol rehearsal in Manbij, Syria, November 7, 2018. (US Army photo by Spc. Zoe Garbarino via AP)
December 20, 2018, 5:16 pm
After Trump pulls out of Syria, might Afghanistan and Iraq be next?
Analysts say the president may be ready to pull the plug on much larger military deployments, warn that every ally relying on US security should be worried
By 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
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