Tom Bowman http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=5457129&ft=1&f=5457129 Tom Bowman is a NPR National Desk reporter covering the Pentagon. en Copyright 2013 NPR - For Personal Use Only NPR API RSS Generator 0.94 Wed, 08 May 2013 15:00:00 -0400 http://media.npr.org/images/npr_news_123x20.gif Tom Bowman http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=5457129&ft=1&f=5457129 U.S. Diplomat Reports Little Help During Benghazi Attacks A congressional committee on Wednesday heard testimony from three witnesses about the events that led to deaths of four Americans at Benghazi in September, 2012. The Benghazi attack has become a political controversy — Republicans accuse the Obama administration of mishandling security there and of misleading the American public after the attack. One new allegation: that a four-person team set to deploy to Benghazi the night of the attack was told not to go. Wed, 08 May 2013 15:00:00 -0400 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=182337923&ft=1&f=5457129 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=182337923&ft=1&f=5457129 A congressional committee on Wednesday heard testimony from three witnesses about the events that led to deaths of four Americans at Benghazi in September, 2012. The Benghazi attack has become a political controversy — Republicans accuse the Obama administration of mishandling security there and of misleading the American public after the attack. One new allegation: that a four-person team set to deploy to Benghazi the night of the attack was told not to go.

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]]> From Battlefield To Boston: Marine Comforts Bombing Survivors Marine Capt. Cam West lost one of his legs to a bomb in Afghanistan. Now part of the Semper Fi Fund, he's inspiring others with similar injuries to look ahead with hope. Fri, 03 May 2013 16:32:00 -0400 http://www.npr.org/blogs/health/2013/05/03/180877272/from-battleground-to-boston-marine-comforts-bombing-survivors?ft=1&f=5457129 http://www.npr.org/blogs/health/2013/05/03/180877272/from-battleground-to-boston-marine-comforts-bombing-survivors?ft=1&f=5457129 Marine Capt. Cam West lost one of his legs to a bomb in Afghanistan. Now part of the Semper Fi Fund, he's inspiring others with similar injuries to look ahead with hope.

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]]> U.S. Faces Fight At Intersection Of Crime And Extremism The Justice Department says about half of all international criminal organizations have links to extremist groups, such as Hezbollah, the Taliban and FARC rebels in Colombia. But diffuse priorities are hindering U.S. efforts to combat this growing problem of transnational, organized crime. Tue, 30 Apr 2013 03:19:00 -0400 http://www.npr.org/2013/04/30/179298793/u-s-faces-fight-at-intersection-of-crime-and-extremism?ft=1&f=5457129 http://www.npr.org/2013/04/30/179298793/u-s-faces-fight-at-intersection-of-crime-and-extremism?ft=1&f=5457129 The Justice Department says about half of all international criminal organizations have links to extremist groups, such as Hezbollah, the Taliban and FARC rebels in Colombia. But diffuse priorities are hindering U.S. efforts to combat this growing problem of transnational, organized crime.

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]]> Pressure Builds On White House To Intervene In Syria The White House says it still needs to corroborate information it has received that suggests Syria's government has used chemical weapons. That act would cross a "red line" drawn by President Obama. At that point, the question becomes: What might the U.S. do in response? The Pentagon is already planning. Fri, 26 Apr 2013 15:00:00 -0400 http://www.npr.org/2013/04/26/179297731/pressure-builds-on-white-house-to-intervene-in-syria?ft=1&f=5457129 http://www.npr.org/2013/04/26/179297731/pressure-builds-on-white-house-to-intervene-in-syria?ft=1&f=5457129 The White House says it still needs to corroborate information it has received that suggests Syria's government has used chemical weapons. That act would cross a "red line" drawn by President Obama. At that point, the question becomes: What might the U.S. do in response? The Pentagon is already planning.

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]]> Afghans Want U.S. To Clarify Troop Level Post 2014 The United States has pledged to remain committed to Afghanistan beyond the year 2014. That's when the U.S. and its NATO allies are set to hand over the security mission to Afghan forces. But the U.S. has not yet said how many troops will remain in Afghanistan after 2014, and that is causing concern among Afghans. Fri, 05 Apr 2013 01:03:00 -0400 http://www.npr.org/2013/04/05/176300494/afghan-want-u-s-to-clarify-troop-level-post-2014?ft=1&f=5457129 http://www.npr.org/2013/04/05/176300494/afghan-want-u-s-to-clarify-troop-level-post-2014?ft=1&f=5457129 The United States has pledged to remain committed to Afghanistan beyond the year 2014. That's when the U.S. and its NATO allies are set to hand over the security mission to Afghan forces. But the U.S. has not yet said how many troops will remain in Afghanistan after 2014, and that is causing concern among Afghans.

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]]> With Eye On Budget, Hagel Seeks Pentagon Changes In his first major policy speech, the defense secretary said the Pentagon is at war with itself: There are competing and spiraling costs within the military — for aging weapons, and for health and pension benefits for military personnel and retirees. He added that U.S. military power must be used judiciously, with a keen appreciation of its limits. Wed, 03 Apr 2013 15:00:00 -0400 http://www.npr.org/2013/04/03/176166678/hagel-pentagon-has-to-reevaluate-priorities-under-pressure-from-budget-cuts?ft=1&f=5457129 http://www.npr.org/2013/04/03/176166678/hagel-pentagon-has-to-reevaluate-priorities-under-pressure-from-budget-cuts?ft=1&f=5457129 In his first major policy speech, the defense secretary said the Pentagon is at war with itself: There are competing and spiraling costs within the military — for aging weapons, and for health and pension benefits for military personnel and retirees. He added that U.S. military power must be used judiciously, with a keen appreciation of its limits.

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]]> U.S. Flies B-2 Stealth Bombers Over South Korea Amid Escalating Tensions With The North The United States flew two B-2 stealth bombers over South Korea on Thursday and dropped dummy munitions on an island range. The U.S. action was part of planned joint military exercises with South Korea — but it comes at a time of heightened tensions on the peninsula. Robert Siegel talks to Tom Bowman. Thu, 28 Mar 2013 15:00:00 -0400 http://www.npr.org/2013/03/28/175619070/u-s-flies-b-2-stealth-bombers-over-south-korea-amid-escalating-tensions-with-the?ft=1&f=5457129 http://www.npr.org/2013/03/28/175619070/u-s-flies-b-2-stealth-bombers-over-south-korea-amid-escalating-tensions-with-the?ft=1&f=5457129 The United States flew two B-2 stealth bombers over South Korea on Thursday and dropped dummy munitions on an island range. The U.S. action was part of planned joint military exercises with South Korea — but it comes at a time of heightened tensions on the peninsula. Robert Siegel talks to Tom Bowman.

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]]> As Qualified Men Dwindle, Military Looks For A Few Good Women Pentagon officials say they're opening ground combat jobs to women as a matter of equality. But the military also needs them because the number of military-age men who qualify for service is declining. Mon, 25 Mar 2013 11:02:00 -0400 http://www.npr.org/2013/03/25/174966070/as-qualified-men-dwindle-military-looks-for-a-few-good-women?ft=1&f=5457129 http://www.npr.org/2013/03/25/174966070/as-qualified-men-dwindle-military-looks-for-a-few-good-women?ft=1&f=5457129 Pentagon officials say they're opening ground combat jobs to women as a matter of equality. But the military also needs them because the number of military-age men who qualify for service is declining.

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]]> Mortar Training Suspended After Marines Die The Marines have suspended use of 60 millimeter mortars after a round exploded in its firing tube during a training exercise. At least seven Marines were killed and several were injured in the blast Monday night during mountain warfare training in Nevada's high desert. Wed, 20 Mar 2013 04:00:00 -0400 http://www.npr.org/2013/03/20/174812902/mortar-training-suspended-after-several-marines-die?ft=1&f=5457129 http://www.npr.org/2013/03/20/174812902/mortar-training-suspended-after-several-marines-die?ft=1&f=5457129 The Marines have suspended use of 60 millimeter mortars after a round exploded in its firing tube during a training exercise. At least seven Marines were killed and several were injured in the blast Monday night during mountain warfare training in Nevada's high desert.

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]]> U.S. To Boost Missile Defense Amid Threats From North Korea The Pentagon announced plans on Friday to beef up missile defense along the West Coast, in part to defend against the threat from North Korea. The Pentagon plans on adding 14 interceptor missiles to a base in Alaska, supplementing the 30 that are already there. Fri, 15 Mar 2013 15:00:00 -0400 http://www.npr.org/2013/03/15/174443495/u-s-to-boost-missile-defense-amid-threats-from-north-korea?ft=1&f=5457129 http://www.npr.org/2013/03/15/174443495/u-s-to-boost-missile-defense-amid-threats-from-north-korea?ft=1&f=5457129 The Pentagon announced plans on Friday to beef up missile defense along the West Coast, in part to defend against the threat from North Korea. The Pentagon plans on adding 14 interceptor missiles to a base in Alaska, supplementing the 30 that are already there.

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]]> U.S. Troops Train For Possible Mission To Secure Syrian Chemical Agents The Syrians are believed to have hundreds of tons of chemical agents. NPR has learned that the 82nd Airborne Division just wrapped up a nine-day training exercise at Fort Bragg, N.C., to get ready for a possible mission to deal with those deadly chemicals. Wed, 13 Mar 2013 18:16:00 -0400 http://www.npr.org/blogs/thetwo-way/2013/03/13/174235963/u-s-troops-train-for-possible-mission-to-secure-syrian-chemical-agents?ft=1&f=5457129 http://www.npr.org/blogs/thetwo-way/2013/03/13/174235963/u-s-troops-train-for-possible-mission-to-secure-syrian-chemical-agents?ft=1&f=5457129 The Syrians are believed to have hundreds of tons of chemical agents. NPR has learned that the 82nd Airborne Division just wrapped up a nine-day training exercise at Fort Bragg, N.C., to get ready for a possible mission to deal with those deadly chemicals.

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]]> Sexual Assault Victims: Military's Criminal Justice System Is Broken Victims of sexual assault in the military testified Wednesday on Capitol Hill. They spoke of commanders who brushed aside their charges and a culture that ridiculed women. It's why most victims never come forward, according to Pentagon polls. Wed, 13 Mar 2013 15:00:00 -0400 http://www.npr.org/2013/03/13/174231283/sexual-assault-victims-militarys-criminal-justice-system-is-broken?ft=1&f=5457129 http://www.npr.org/2013/03/13/174231283/sexual-assault-victims-militarys-criminal-justice-system-is-broken?ft=1&f=5457129 Victims of sexual assault in the military testified Wednesday on Capitol Hill. They spoke of commanders who brushed aside their charges and a culture that ridiculed women. It's why most victims never come forward, according to Pentagon polls.

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]]> Pentagon Won't Feel Most Of Sequester's Effects Until Summer Across-the-board spending cuts are set to go into effect on Friday. But the sequestration will be more like a long slope than a cliff. Pentagon officials don't expect serious cuts — like furloughs and lost flying time — to kick in for at least two months. Fri, 01 Mar 2013 15:00:00 -0500 http://www.npr.org/2013/03/01/173271249/pentagon-wont-feel-most-of-sequesters-effects-until-summer?ft=1&f=5457129 http://www.npr.org/2013/03/01/173271249/pentagon-wont-feel-most-of-sequesters-effects-until-summer?ft=1&f=5457129 Across-the-board spending cuts are set to go into effect on Friday. But the sequestration will be more like a long slope than a cliff. Pentagon officials don't expect serious cuts — like furloughs and lost flying time — to kick in for at least two months.

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]]> As Sequestration Looms, Defense Civilians Face Furloughs Pentagon officials notified Congress on Wednesday that they will furlough some 800,000 defense civilians for one day per week should automatic budget cuts, known as sequestration, kick in next month. Wed, 20 Feb 2013 15:00:00 -0500 http://www.npr.org/2013/02/20/172519467/as-sequestration-looms-defense-civilians-face-furloughs?ft=1&f=5457129 http://www.npr.org/2013/02/20/172519467/as-sequestration-looms-defense-civilians-face-furloughs?ft=1&f=5457129 Pentagon officials notified Congress on Wednesday that they will furlough some 800,000 defense civilians for one day per week should automatic budget cuts, known as sequestration, kick in next month.

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]]> Gen. John Allen To Retire, Not Pursue NATO Commander Nomination Marine Gen. John Allen has decided to retire from the military. The former top commander in Afghanistan, Allen had been nominated by President Obama to become commander of all NATO forces. Tue, 19 Feb 2013 15:00:00 -0500 http://www.npr.org/2013/02/19/172431543/gen-john-allen-to-retire-not-pursue-nato-commander-nomination?ft=1&f=5457129 http://www.npr.org/2013/02/19/172431543/gen-john-allen-to-retire-not-pursue-nato-commander-nomination?ft=1&f=5457129 Marine Gen. John Allen has decided to retire from the military. The former top commander in Afghanistan, Allen had been nominated by President Obama to become commander of all NATO forces.

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