Maggie Ybarra

Russia lines up counter-terrorism allies

Russia is trying to strengthen its counter-terrorism ties with partner nations India and Iran just as the U.S. government is increasing pressure on terrorists in the Middle East.Russia is trying to strengthen its counter-terrorism ties with partner nations India and Iran just as the U.S. government is increasing pressure on terrorists in the Middle East.

Congress concerned with plan to route 911 locators through Russia satellites

The Federal Communications Commission is considering a plan to route U.S. emergency 911 location calls through a Russian satellite system, raising national security alarms inside a Congress dubious of Moscow's intentions.

Edward Snowden China warplane data theft claim rebutted by U.S. military

U.S. military officials are pushing back against a claim that National Security Agency whistleblower Edward Snowden made last week about China stealing top-secret data on a pricey warplane program.

Armed Services chair pledges to work through sequester cuts, preserve military might

The top Republican on the House Armed Services Committee is dedicated to preserving U.S. military might in the face of sequester-related forced cuts to the Pentagon's budget.

U.S. Army commander in Europe heads to Ukraine

The U.S. Army's commander in Europe will meet with Ukrainian defense officials to the discuss their military-to-military relationship just as the war-torn country wrestling with Russian supporters for control over a key airport in Donetsk.

Army investigates former West Point chief of staff over accounting activities

The Army has initiated a review of a former West Point chief of staff after the Pentagon's top investigator discovered that he implemented accounting activities that exposed the Army financial coffers to waste, fraud and abuse.

Expansion of bombing campaign in Syria stymied by U.S.-Turkey discord

A U.S-led coalition battling Islamic State militants in Iraq and Syria has reportedly postponed a plan to expand its wide-scale airstrike campaign along the Turkish border.

U.S. is sending 400 troops to train Syrian fighters against Islamic State

The U.S. military will send 400 troops to train Syrian rebels to fight back against Islamic State militants within the next few months.

Drone pilots stressed by long work hours fighting Mideast terrorists, Air Force says

The Pentagon's drone pilots are overworked and under "significant stress" from waging battles in the Middle East and spying on Islamic extremists.

Pentagon officials, Syria opposition fighters meet to discuss Islamic State battle plan

Pentagon officials met with Syrian opposition fighters this week to formulate a plan for training and equipping its members to battle back the Islamic State, which has taken over the oil rich parts of the war-ravaged country.

5 Guantanamo detainees released by Pentagon; Yemenis transferred to Oman, Estonia

France extends war plans against Islamic State in Iraq

France voted Tuesday to extend its role in an international coalition that has been dropping bombs on Islamic State militants in Iraq and Syria.

Pentagon to probe breach of retired officers’ personal information in Twitter hack

The Pentagon dismissed an attack on its social media sites Monday as "cybervandalism," hitting back at an aggressive effort by supporters of the Islamic State to wrest control of Twitter and YouTube accounts belonging to U.S. Central Command.

Pentagon orders Gitmo tribunal judges to ditch side jobs

The Pentagon is directing judges who oversee military tribunals at a high-security detention facility in Cuba to stop juggling cases in other countries and focus solely on closing the cases of detainees charged with terrorism.

Afghan president to visit U.S. as Taliban tension flares

Obama administration officials say they expect a high-profile visit from President right before the Taliban fighting season begins in early spring.

U.S. military to base new stealth jets in U.K.

The U.S. military is pulling refueling aircraft and intelligence collection airplanes out of three bases in east Britain over the next few years and turning that region of the world into a permanent home for its newest stealth jet.

Pentagon seeks weapons of tomorrow for today’s wars

Robotic sea creatures designed to spy on potential threats and sniper bullets that change direction in midflight were among the futuristic weapons systems that helped to merge science fiction with unconventional warfare in 2014.

Drug agent in Mexico faces federal fraud, false statement charges

A high-level U.S. drug enforcement agent stationed in Mexico is facing federal charges of fraud and making false statements after he accepted international flights, cash and the promise of a post-retirement job in exchange for performing "favors" on behalf of unidentified Mexican nationals, prosecutors say.

Pentagon football marketing splurge balances lean budget, recruitment needs

During the New Year's week sports extravaganza, Americans are digesting plenty of reminders about their armed forces. Navy was an official host sponsor of last weekend's Military Bowl in Annapolis, complete with a pregame parade. The Air Force flew F-15E jets over the stadium and had its parachute demonstration team swoop in at the Idaho Potato Bowl in Boise on Dec. 20.

Federal judge orders Marine Corps to answer charges it discredited whistleblower

A federal judge has ordered the Marine Corps to answer to allegations that it has quietly tried to discredit a Reserve civil affairs officer in order to cover up his warnings about an Afghan police chief later tied to the fatal shootings of three troops on a base in southern Afghanistan.