Rowan Scarborough

Islamic State propaganda machine exposed by MEMRI

The Middle East Media Research Institute (MEMRI) has carved out a reputation as the premier tracker and exposer of jihadi social media regularly released by various Islamic State media companies. What MEMRI finds is a constant daily drumbeat of Islamic State propaganda.

September 12, 2016

U.S. special operations troops in ISIS fight frustrated with limited role

Special operations troops say they should be doing more in the war against the Islamic State group, complaining of strict rules of engagement and White House limits on troop numbers in Iraq and Syria.

September 11, 2016

Ayman al-Zawahiri, al Qaeda leader: 9/11 attack ‘blessed’

The leader of al Qaeda has addressed the world in a video statement on the 15th anniversary of the September 11, 2001, attacks, calling the massacre "blessed raids" and urging Muslims to cause more bloodshed in America.

September 9, 2016

Obama viewed NATO as a ‘threat’ rather than peace alliance, top U.S. general charges

The top U.S. general in Europe said President Obama looked at NATO as a warmonger "worry" and "threat" rather than an alliance trying to keep the peace.

September 9, 2016

ISIS exploits U.S. rules of engagement, Obama’s aversion to civilian deaths even in defeat

Even in losing, the Islamic State group has shown it conducts a "lessons learned" exercise so it won't repeat battlefield mistakes.

August 21, 2016

Vladimir Putin ups ante in challenge of U.S. dominance of Persian Gulf, Middle East

Russian President Vladimir Putin has outflanked Washington again in the Syrian civil war by launching bombers this week from a new base -- Iran -- giving him the power to strike more quickly with heavier bombardments against U.S.-backed rebels, analysts say.

August 18, 2016

Obama administration again underestimates ISIS as Afghan affiliate grows into threat

When reporters asked senior military leaders last summer about the Islamic State franchise in Afghanistan's Nangarhar province, the answer was that it was "emergent" — in other words, a fledgling terrorist army.

August 16, 2016

Anti-Trump letter reveals jittery band of Republican establishment power brokers

ANALYSIS: When Donald Trump says he is running against the Washington establishment -- the news media and consultant-lobbyist class -- the battle lines have been crystal-clear in recent days.

August 14, 2016

Ray Mabus names Navy ship for Harvey Milk, bypasses military heroes

Navy Secretary Ray Mabus has riled conservatives by once again naming a warship after a liberal activist, in this case slain gay rights icon Harvey Milk.

August 7, 2016

TSA: Number of prohibited items hidden in luggage increase at U.S. airports

A confidential Transportation Security Administration report says the number of "artfully concealed" prohibited items increased at airports in June, creating fears about threats to passenger aircraft.

August 3, 2016

ISIS hit list targets 700 U.S. Army soldiers: ‘Kill the dogs’

The Islamic State is targeting the U.S. Army, putting out a hit list of 700 soldiers and ordering its terror army to "kill the dogs."

August 2, 2016

Obama rushing Mosul offensive against ISIS to influence election, troops fear

Some U.S. officers in Baghdad believe the Obama administration is rushing plans for a Mosul offensive so it takes place before the November presidential election, a retired general says.

July 24, 2016

Al Qaeda reduced to trumpeting rival ISIS’ terror attacks in online magazine

Perhaps out of jealously, al Qaeda is out with a special edition of its online magazine Inspire with stories devoted to a terrorist attack carried out by a rival — the Bastille Day truck massacre in Nice, France.

July 21, 2016

Mike Pence put troop safety ahead of jobs by pulling support of Fatima deal

As governor of Indiana, Mike Pence, the Republican vice presidential nominee, put the safety of American troops in Afghanistan ahead of jobs in his state.

July 20, 2016

9/11 report details Saudi Arabia funding of Muslim extremists in U.S.

Saudi Arabia was funding Muslim radicalism in mosques and charities at the time the Sept. 11, 2001, hijackers were gathering in the United States and making contacts with Saudi nationals, according to a declassified intelligence document.

July 19, 2016

ISIS leaders urge fighters to ‘go get a truck’ and kill infidels

Two weeks before the massacre in Nice, a French-speaking fighter for the Islamic State group went on social media to urge Muslims in France to "go get a truck" and kill infidels.

July 19, 2016

Benghazi: U.S. military unprepared to aid Americans during Islamist attack

The military was woefully unprepared to help Americans in Benghazi during the 13-hour crisis, with no nearby troops on alert for the Sept. 11 anniversary and not one aircraft sent to that Libyan city to pick up survivors and four dead.

July 17, 2016

Pentagon issues sex change manual, allows extended time off for process

The U.S. military has a manual for everything, from how to dress to how to wage war. Now the Pentagon has sent out a detailed written instruction to commanders on how a service member can change his or her sex in a step-by-step process that allows for extended time off.

July 14, 2016

Michael Flynn’s ISIS ‘global footprint’ warning counters Obama’s narrative in Iraq

Retired Army Lt. Gen. Michael T. Flynn, the onetime Pentagon intelligence czar who said President Obama fired him for pushing war against "radical Islamism," asserted Wednesday that the Islamic State has established a global footprint that will not be wiped out by liberating Iraq.

July 13, 2016

Ashton Carter refuses to investigate SEALs method of training

Defense Secretary Ashton Carter is backing the Navy's decision to change how SEALs are trained in hand-to-hand combat, dismissing questions of favoritism for retired commandos cashing in on teaching the mixed martial arts techniques now used.

July 12, 2016