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Vicky O'Hara Victoria (Vicky) O'Hara is a diplomatic correspondent for NPR. Her coverage of the State Department and foreign policy issues can be heard on the award-winning Morning Edition, All Things Considered, and Weekend Edition as well as on NPR's newscasts.
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Vicky O'Hara

Thursday

National

Base Panel Approves Walter Reed Shutdown

The Base Closure and Relocation Commission approves the closure of the Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington, D.C. The commission is considering hundreds of other Pentagon recommendations, including closing Ellsworth Air Force Base in South Dakota.

Base Panel Approves Walter Reed Shutdown

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National

Base Closing Panel Resumes Deliberations

An independent commission continues to vote on which U.S. military bases should be closed down or restructured. The panel Thursday approved Pentagon plans to close the Army's Walter Reed Medical Center.

Base Closing Panel Resumes Deliberations

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Tuesday

National

Military Works to Retain In-Demand Special Forces

Increasingly, the military is losing Special Forces personnel to the private sector. Many head to contracting jobs that offer high-paying security positions in Iraq and Afghanistan. The Defense Department is addressing the problem by offering them new financial incentives to extend their service, and the incentives seem to be having a positive effect.

Military Works to Retain In-Demand Special Forces

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Thursday

National

Military's Integration of Services Plan Finds Critics

Members of the U.S. armed forces are being assigned to duties they didn't originally sign up for as the Pentagon implements what it calls "integration" of the services. Critics say people are being assigned to jobs without proper training.

Military's Integration of Services Plan Finds Critics

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Sunday

World

U.S. Notes Growing Chinese Military Strength

The Pentagon's 2005 report on China's military is released after months of review by the State Department, CIA and White House. The final version is diplomatically worded, but the data is ominous from a U.S. view.

U.S. Notes Growing Chinese Military Strength

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Thursday

Tuesday

Politics

Pentagon Officials Make Case for Weapons Capability in Space

The nation's space policy does not endorse the development of space weapons, although it leaves much room for interpretation. Defense analysts say they expect the Bush administration to take a more robust approach, in part, because senior Pentagon officials have publicly endorsed the development of a space-based weapons capability.

Pentagon Officials Make Case for Weapons Capability in Space

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Wednesday

National

Downed Copter in Afghanistan Was Under Fire

The fate of 17 U.S. military personnel aboard a Chinook helicopter that went down near the Afghan-Pakistani border Tuesday remains uncertain. Officials confirm that the copter was under hostile fire, but they say severe weather and rugged terrain are hampering recovery efforts.

Downed Copter in Afghanistan Was Under Fire

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Thursday

World

Rumsfeld Defends Military Operations in Iraq

Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld and the Bush administration's top commanders tell Congress that the war in Iraq has been a difficult, dangerous and tough business, but that it is not a quagmire. But Rumsfeld refused to set a deadline for withdrawal, and Army Gen. John Abizaid admitted that the insurgency's strength has not diminished.

Rumsfeld Defends Military Operations in Iraq

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Wednesday

National

Air Force Academy Chided for Religious Tone

A Pentagon task force investigating possible religious intolerance at the U.S. Air Force Academy reports shortcomings, but no intentional discrimination based on religion. Cadets have complained of pressure to attend chapel and join prayer groups.

Air Force Academy Chided for Religious Tone

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Monday

World

Pentagon Report on Chinese Military Delayed

The Pentagon's annual assessment of China's military capabilities was due in March. But this year, as in previous years, the deadline has slipped as various government agencies try to reach consensus. That issue is particularly sensitive this year because of tensions between Washington and Beijing over a variety of issues, including a military buildup by China.

Pentagon Report on Chinese Military Delayed

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Tuesday

World

Gallup Poll: Support Falling for War in Iraq

A Gallup poll shows 6 in 10 Americans say the U.S. should withdraw some or all troops from Iraq. In February, less than half of those surveyed by Gallup offered that opinion.

Gallup Poll: Support Falling for War in Iraq

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National

U.S. to Keep Guantanamo

The United States will need a prison like that in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, until the war on terror is over, says Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld. Recent reports had suggested that the facility be closed.

U.S. to Keep Guantanamo

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Friday

Friday

World

U.S. Concerns Rise over Chinese Military Growth

An Israeli negotiator visited Washington this week to resolve a dispute between Israel and the United States over arms sales to China. The Bush administration is pressuring Israel to stop selling arms and transferring technology to China amid growing U.S. concern about China's military buildup.

U.S. Concerns Rise over Chinese Military Growth

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