ashton carter - Page 3

34 Lawmakers Demand Answers on ‘Altered’ ISIS Intel Reports

WASHINGTON, D.C.—Rep. Robert Pittenger (R-NC) and 33 other Republican lawmakers wrote a letter to Defense Secretary Ashton Carter, expressing outrage over allegations that senior intelligence officers at U.S. Central Command altered their assessments of the U.S. military efforts against the Islamic State (ISIS/ISIL) in Syria to make it appear that President Obama is winning the war.

In this photo released on May 4, 2015, by a militant website, which has been verified and

China Objects to ‘Routine’ US Flight over South China Sea

The United States flew a Boeing P-8 surveillance plane over the disputed South China Sea on Saturday, a move that a top U.S. Navy admiral called “routine” to the dismay of China. China argues that such activities cause serious damage to U.S.-China relations, reports Reuters.

IN FLIGHT, IN FLIGHT : This aerial photograph taken from a military aircraft shows alleged

Impossible Rules of Engagement: ‘Zero Civilian Casualties’ in ISIS Battle

Ever since the weird non-war against ISIS began, we have heard loud boasts from the Obama Administration about how many fabulously expensive airstrikes coalition forces were conducting. And yet, the Islamic State remains on the march in Iraq and Syria, and is confident enough to launch a new campaign for control of devastated post-Obama, post-Clinton Libya.

Iraqi government forces celebrate while holding an al-Qaeda affiliated flag after they cla

As China Blames Foreign ‘Provocations’ for South China Sea Row, US Pledges to Fund Vietnam

The United States has offered Vietnam $18 million for the purchase of American patrol boats, to be used in self-defense against looming threats from China to Vietnamese and Philippine vessels that dare navigate into the South China Sea. China has both increased its belligerent activity in the disputed region and trumped up calls to condemn its neighbors for “provocative” behavior near the Spratly Islands.

vietnamese-ship-damage-AP

Japan, Philippines Forge Closer Military Ties in Wake of Chinese Land Grab

Philippine President Benigno Aquino is set to land in Japan on Tuesday following initial negotiations for new weapons trade deals and closer military ties. Observers see the move as a preventative measure in the face of China’s expanded efforts in disputed South China Sea territory to build military facilities and artificial islands, violating international law.

The Yomiuri Shimbun via AP Images

Jordan to Train Syrian Rebels to Fight ISIS

The Associated Press reports that Jordan has announced plans to help train Syrian rebels to fight the Islamic State. “The training is part of a regional effort also involving Turkey, Saudi Arabia and Qatar as hosts of training sites. The U.S. Congress has passed legislation providing $500 million for training about 5,000 rebels over the next year,” writes the AP.

AFP PHOTO / ZEIN AL RIFAI

Creepy Joe Biden and the Privileges of Liberal Aristocracy

It’s far from the strangest or most offensive thing he’s ever done, but for some reason the spectacle of Vice President Joe Biden getting “handsy” with freshly-minted Defense Secretary Ashton Carter’s wife Stephanie was the straw that broke the camel’s back for a few people on the left.

AP Photo/Evan Vucci