archive
Leaving Iraq
The IED: The $30-Bombs That Cost The U.S. Billions
December 18, 2011 Homemade bombs became the weapon of choice for the insurgency in Iraq. The U.S. has officially declared the end of the war, but one lasting legacy will be how the improvised explosive device, or IED, changed the way the military thinks about warfare.
National Security
Drone Pilots: The Future Of Aerial Warfare
November 29, 2011 The U.S. Air Force says it will train more drone pilots in 2011 than fighter and bomber pilots combined. The distance between the pilot and the remotely controlled vehicle he flies is redefining what it means to be a pilot and creating some friction within the Air Force.
Politics
Where Defense Cuts Could Be Aimed
November 19, 2011 The Pentagon and its growing budget is on the supercommittee's radar as it looks to reduce the federal deficit by $1.2 trillion. At half the federal government's budget, it's not hard to see why, so which cuts might bleed the least?
National Security
Defense Leaders Make The Case Against Cuts
September 24, 2011 Military leaders are promoting their branch's respective strengths in hopes of softening the super committee's blow, while private industry executives have warned against losing the country's industrial base.
World
U.S. Rebukes Pakistan For Ties To Afghan Extremists
September 22, 2011 During a hearing Thursday on Capitol Hill, the top U.S. military officer, Adm. Mike Mullen, issued a stern warning to Pakistan over ties between that country's spy agency and groups attacking U.S. forces in Afghanistan. But it's unclear what the U.S. proposes to do in response.
Around the Nation
'Don't Ask, Don't Tell' Is Done; What Now?
September 20, 2011 The ban against gays serving openly in the military has been repealed. It affected the lives of thousands of people during the 18 years it was in place. NPR spoke with two of them: one who was discharged from the military under the policy eight years ago; the other a gay Marine who has been keeping his sexual identity a secret for 14 years.
National Security
Leon Panetta: The Battle-Tested Politician
September 12, 2011 Two months into his tenure as secretary of defense, Leon Panetta has to run two ground wars, keep up the fight against al-Qaida and figure out how to cut more than $400 billion from the defense budget.
Reflecting On Sept. 11, 2001
An Open Secret: Drone Warfare In Pakistan
September 6, 2011 According to the U.S. government, the U.S. military has fired about 270 missiles into Pakistan since 2004, killing thousands of militants. These drone attacks are part of a covert war that has brought the U.S. successes, but not without repercussions, including anti-American sentiment and civilian deaths.
National Security
After Leading Two Wars, Petraeus Retires
August 31, 2011 Gen. David Petraeus retired from the U.S. Army on Wednesday after 37 years in uniform. The former top U.S. commander in both Iraq and Afghanistan will take over as head of the CIA.