Topic: U.S. Army

Memorial Day: Among post-9/11 veterans, deepening antiwar sentiment

This Memorial Day the Iraq war is over and the Afghanistan war is winding down, but they're weighing heavily on post-9/11 veterans, 33 percent of whom said they weren't worth the cost.

France's Afghanistan pull-out signals war fatigue driving European defense cuts

Disillusionment with warfare, coupled with economic troubles, has given European defense cuts strong momentum. But defense experts worry they are being made too haphazardly.

Two harrowing US military rescues offer haunting portrait of Afghan war

Rescue pilots in Afghanistan describe flying five to 10 combat missions a day, on constant alert. Describing one mission, for which he was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross with Valor last week, Col. Christopher Barnett says:  'It was like the Alamo.'

Saudi's Al Qaeda intelligence coup and the perils of too much disclosure

Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula's second underwear bomb plot went nowhere thanks to great intelligence work. But this is a case where too much disclosure is a problem.

Prayer rugs and legal moves in trial of 9/11 defendants

Defendants in the trial of alleged 9/11 mastermind Khalid Sheikh Mohammed and four others insisted on having their full charges read, an unusual move. Yet most seemed not to pay attention, then took a break for prayer.

World watches as 9/11 mastermind Khalid Sheikh Mohammed and others go on trial

The military trial of Khalid Sheikh Mohammed and four other 9/11 defendants could become the most important US war crimes tribunal since Nuremberg. But at their arraignment Saturday, the five men staged a protest.

Ted Nugent is back! Does Mitt Romney wish he'd zip it? (+video)

Ted Nugent returned to the limelight Friday, insisting on a CBS show that he's a moderate, Romney-backing, 'nice guy' who takes children with serious illnesses on fishing trips. Somehow, though, his demeanor probably isn't reassuring to independent women voters.

How can Army keep soldiers fighting fit after Afghanistan? Avatars

Military officials are using video games to evaluate troops, but making soldiers' avatars – their virtual selves – more closely mimic the soldiers' actual skills is the next frontier. 

As war wanes, how will US military retain its best warriors?

Today’s troops have acquired invaluable experience in battle. But when the fighting ends, the US military must find ways to keep the force engaged or risk losing all that expertise. 

Afghan commando kills special forces soldier: US training mission futile?

An American special forces soldier was killed this week by a US-trained Afghan commando, during a joint night raid operation. One-fifth of all NATO losses in 2012 are by Afghan troops. 

Diplomacy flowers with cherry blossoms

At the close of the 100th anniversary celebration of Tokyo's gift of cherry blossoms to Washington, it's worth remembering the story of diplomacy behind the trees. Like most diplomatic initiatives, this one had to overcome indifference, opposition, and many setbacks before it could flower.

Gideon Sundback: At first, the world shunned the zipper

Tuesday's Google doodle in honor of Gideon Sundback celebrates his simple yet revolutionary zipper. Too bad his contemporaries didn't see it that way. At first, people shunned the zipper.

Panetta apologizes over latest military scandal

Latest photo scandal: US soldiers pose with dead Afghan insurgents

An American soldier gave the Los Angeles Times 18 photos of US soldiers posing with dead Afghan insurgents. US Ambassador in Afghanistan Ryan Crocker called the actions of these American soldiers "morally repugnant."

Oakland gunman was a 'mistreated' former student at Christian college (+video)

One L. Goh, the South Korean suspect in the killing of seven people Monday at Oikos University, was 'upset with the administration of the school' and said he had been 'mistreated' and 'disrespected' by students, Oakland police chief Howard Jordan said Tuesday.

Interview: Amb. Ryan Crocker warns against war fatigue in Afghanistan

Ryan Crocker, US ambassador to Afghanistan, sees progress amid an extended 'rough' patch in relations. He also cautions against quitting Afghanistan too soon, citing Al Qaeda. 'If we decide we're tired, ... they'll be back.'

Sgt. Robert Bales charged with premeditated murder of 17 Afghans

Death is among the possible penalties facing Army Staff Sgt. Robert Bales, if he is convicted of murdering 17 Afghan civilians. A death sentence has not been carried out in the US military since 1961.

Obama’s reelection campaign moves into high gear

Like all first-term presidents, Barack Obama has been running for reelection since the day he took office. But recent days have seen a flurry of activity, including the unleashing of Vice President Joe Biden.

Sgt. Robert Bales: Details emerge on soldier charged with killing Afghan villagers

Staff Sgt. Robert Bales joined the Army shortly after the 911 terrorist attacks, and he served three tours in Iraq before being sent to Afghanistan. Now he sits in the military prison at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas, charged with killing 16 Afghan villagers.

Did soldier said to have killed Afghan civilians come from 'most troubled base'?

US Army Staff Sgt. Robert Bales, suspected of killing 16 Afghan villagers, was from Joint Base Lewis-McChord in Washington State, reputedly the most troubled base in the US military.

Afghan President Karzai's angry ultimatums have parallels in post-colonial Africa

After the massacre of 16 Afghan civilians by a US Army sergeant, Afghan President Karzai told the US to speed up withdrawal. Post-colonial experience from Africa suggests that US departure may not be pretty.

Leon Panetta's big task in Afghanistan is trust-building. Impossible? (+video)

Defense Secretary Leon Panetta is in Afghanistan to try to repair relations after the Quran-burning incident and a mass shooting of civilians. The fact that the US has spirited away the accused shooter complicates his mission.

Soldier's killing spree: Is end of Afghanistan war near? (+video)

Widespread Afghan outrage could force the US to accelerate plans to bring the Afghanistan war to a close. But that hasn't happened yet, and military officials are wary of a quick withdrawal.

Afghanistan shooting: Protests are peaceful, but era of cooperation closing

Days after a US soldier went on a shooting spree in Afghanistan, protests have remained mostly peaceful except for an insurgent attack on an Afghan government delegation.

Lessons from the Afghanistan shooting

The Afghanistan shooting of 16 civilians by an American soldier shows the Pentagon must better screen, train, and track its people who fight in war zones.