US Ends Counter-ISIS Operation in Libya

By Brian W. Everstine
US Africa Command on Monday ended its support for the Libyan Government of National Accord after conducting 495 airstrikes in an effort to drive ISIS from the city of Sirte. Operation Odyssey Lightning began on Aug. 1 as ISIS took...

Not Just Shenanigans

By John A. Tirpak
Though NATO continues to debate whether it should develop an offensive cyber capability, former Deputy Secretary-General Alexander Vershbow said Tuesday, it would be foolish not to do so. A decision has to be taken “in the next year or two,”...

Honor the Deals

By John A. Tirpak
There is “anxiety” in Europe over the election of Donald Trump and what he may mean for the NATO Alliance, former Deputy Secretary-General of NATO Alexander Vershbow said Tuesday. Speaking with defense reporters in Washington, D.C., Vershbow said the “anxiety...

It Looks Bigger on the Outside

By John A. Tirpak
Even though Russia has annexed Crimea, is fighting a proxy war in what’s left of Ukraine, and has invaded Georgia, NATO is still far from rebuilding back up to previous levels of deterrent force, former NATO Deputy Secretary-General Alexander Vershbow...

Smaller, But Just As Obnoxious as Regular Empire

By John A. Tirpak
Failing to stand up to Russia’s hostilities in Ukraine will “only embolden” Russian President Vladimir Putin to be even more aggressive, said Alexander Vershbow, who until recently was the Deputy Secretary-General of NATO. Lifting of economic sanctions, Vershbow told defense...

Boeing’s T-X Flies for the First Time

By Brian W. Everstine
Boeing and its partner Saab on Tuesday conducted the first flight for their T-X entrant. The twin-tailed, high-wing aircraft took off from Boeing’s St. Louis facility, and flew for 55 minutes during which time T-X test pilot Steven Schmidt and...

F-35 Executive Defends Costs After Trump’s Tweet

The chief of the F-35 program pushed back on President-elect Donald Trump’s claim that the F-35 costs are out of control, saying that for the past five years the jet has been on schedule and on budget. Since the program’s...

Mixed Performance in Latest Report on Afghanistan

By Wilson Brissett
The Department of Defense is guardedly optimistic in its latest assessment of the security situation in Afghanistan, according to a report released Friday. Afghan Security Forces “have shown promising but inconsistent progress” in fighting off threats from groups affiliated with...

Inspector General Report Details DOD Challenges

By Wilson Brissett
The Defense Department Inspector General released its annual report on management challenges Tuesday. The broad-ranging report summarizes the key strategic obstacles the US military faces from China, Russia, North Korea, Iran, and non-state terrorism. The report also addresses the importance...