National Security

U.S. Defense Secretary Says Top ISIS Leader Has Been Killed

by Tom Bowman

American special operations troops have killed a top ISIS leader, the Pentagon says. Defense Secretary Ash Carter said Friday Haji Iman was just one in a number of leaders who have been killed by American raids or airstrikes in Syria and Iraq. Administration leaders are keen to show the U.S. is leaning forward in its war on ISIS following this week's deadly attacks in Brussels.

U.S. Counterterrorism Adviser On Brussels: 'There's More Work To Be Done'

NPR's Robert Siegel speaks with Lisa Monaco, assistant to the president for homeland security and counterterrorism, about the terrorist attacks in Belgium, the recent targeted killing of a man described as senior figure in the Islamic State, and the Obama administration's strategy for defeating the terrorist group.

Republicans Challenge Plans To Close Gitmo After Brussels Attacks

by David Welna

President Obama's plan to close the detention center at Guantanamo Bay got its first formal hearing in Congress. Republicans said after the Brussels attacks, allies wanting to close the prison are likely reconsidering. And if the Guantanamo prison is a recruiting tool for terrorists, they asked, would not an American lockup have the same effect? Officials also confirmed that released detainees have killed Americans.