The Latest Breaking News from Pentagon

Pentagon Chief Pledges Continued US Troop Presence in Iraq as 20-Year Anniversary of Invasion Nears

US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin, making an unannounced trip to Iraq on Tuesday nearly 20 years after the US-led invasion that toppled Saddam Hussein, said Washington was committed to keeping its military presence in the country The 2003 invasion led to the deaths of tens of thousands of Iraqi civilians…

Asharq Al-Awsat · Mar 7, 2023

9/11 heroes still fight for health care

Funding for 9/11 health program is set to run out of funding without congressional action

Salon · Mar 1, 2023

North Korea Fires More Missiles after US-South Korea Nuclear Drill

North Korea said Friday it had fired cruise missiles and claimed that ramped-up US-South Korean military drills "can be regarded as a declaration of war". It came after the two allies conducted a tabletop exercise at the Pentagon focused on responses to a nuclear attack by Pyongyang, said AFP. North…

Asharq Al-Awsat · Feb 24, 2023

U.S. to increase rotational military presence in Australia, invite Japan

The United States will increase the rotational presence of air, land and sea forces in Australia, including bomber aircraft and fighter jets, U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said on Tuesday, amid shared concerns about China.

Reuters · Dec 6, 2022

Pentagon chief warns Turkey against new military operation in Syria

U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin on Wednesday told his Turkish counterpart of his "strong opposition" to a new Turkish military operation in Syria and voiced concern over the escalating situation in the county, the Pentagon said.

Reuters · Nov 30, 2022

NASAMS air defense system have 100% success rate in Ukraine - Pentagon chief

U.S.-provided NASAMS air defense systems have had a 100% success rate in Ukraine intercepting Russian missiles, U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said on Wednesday, as NATO said an errant Ukrainian air defense interceptor was likely the cause of an explosion in Poland on Tuesday.

Reuters · Nov 16, 2022

South Korea not considering redeploying tactical nuclear weapons - defense minister

South Korean Defense Minister Lee Jong-sup said on Thursday that he did not believe tactical nuclear weapons were for now needed to deter North Korea following its latest test of an intercontinental ballistic missile.

Reuters · Nov 3, 2022

Ukraine capable of retaking Kherson from Russia -Pentagon chief

Ukrainian forces can retake the strategic southern city of Kherson from Russian troops, U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said on Thursday, in what would be a major defeat for Russia in its invasion of its neighbor.

Reuters · Nov 3, 2022

Ash Carter, the U.S. defense secretary who opened combat jobs to women, dies at 68

In December 2015, after three years of study and debate, Carter ordered the military to open all jobs to women. He also ended the Pentagon's ban on transgender people serving in the military.

WEKU · Oct 25, 2022

Pentagon Declines to Offer Details on US-Russia Defense Call

The Pentagon on Friday declined to offer specifics about the first call since May between US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin and his Russian counterpart beyond saying that Austin emphasized a need for lines of communication amid the war in Ukraine. A Pentagon spokesperson told a televised news briefing that Austin…

Asharq Al-Awsat · Oct 21, 2022