Photo of government contractors working on a section of the Pentagon-funded border wall

White House Welcomes Court Ruling on Border Wall Spending

WASHINGTON — The White House says construction of the U.S.-Mexico border wall will move forward after a federal appeals court ruling that frees up construction money. The 2-1 ruling on Wednesday halted a federal judge’s ruling in December that had prevented...
Photo of U.S. service members loading military equipment

US Role in Syria Grows More Complex With Trump Claim to Oil

WASHINGTON — By claiming a right to Syria's oil, President Donald Trump has added more complexity — as well as additional U.S. forces and time — to an American military mission he has twice declared he was ending so the troops could come home. Extending the...
Photo of Army Secretary Mark Esper

Pentagon Nominee Regrets Turkey’s ‘Drift’ From West

WASHINGTON — Army Secretary Mark Esper, President Donald Trump's nominee to become secretary of defense, told his Senate confirmation hearing Tuesday he is troubled by Turkey's decision to defy the United States by acquiring Russian-made air defenses. "It i...
Photo of Secretary of the Army Mark Esper

Pentagon Without a Chief as US Faces Numerous Global Threats

WASHINGTON — It's a difficult time for the Pentagon to be without a permanent U.S. defense secretary. "With everything going on in Iran and all the provocations and counteractions, and to have no Secretary of Defense at this time is appalling. It shows the ...