National Security

The acting White House chief of staff denied what he previously said: that defense funding to Ukraine was frozen in part over the demand that Kyiv dig up dirt on Trump's political rivals.

The tragic early morning training exercise also resulted in three other soldiers being hospitalized. The incident involved the Bradley Fighting Vehicle on which they were riding.

His visit to restart peace talks with the Taliban comes amid debate about the role of U.S. troops in the region after Trump quickly began withdrawing forces from northeastern Syria earlier this month.

Donald Trump wants to reduce the U.S. presence in the Middle East. Vladimir Putin has been pushing to increase Russia's role. Events in Syria have crystallized the larger aims of both leaders.

There are a lot of unanswered questions, like whether Kurdish forces are actually withdrawing from the border. The Pentagon says U.S. ground forces won't be involved in enforcing a "safe zone."

NPR's Audie Cornish speaks with Jack Keane, a retired Army four-star-general, about President Trump's strategy on Syria, ISIS and Turkey.

Every administration uses ambassadorships to reward big political donors. But unlike other political appointees, donors don't always have strong resumes in business politics and foreign affairs.

In a speech blending humor with a serious message, the former secretary of defense also quoted a warning by Lincoln against a leader "unfettered by conscience, precedent or decency."

President Trump has repeatedly been at odds with Russia and Ukraine experts spread across the U.S. government. Some are now harsh critics and key figures in the impeachment inquiry.

The vice president led a delegation to try to persuade the Turkish president to stop the military push and enact a cease-fire. The Turkish foreign minister says the deal brokered is not a cease-fire.