Rowan Scarborough
Articles by Rowan Scarborough
Pentagon’s top brass explores Islamic ideology’s ties to terror behind the scenes
U.S. Special Operations Command has privately pressed the staff of the nation's highest-ranking military officer to include in his upcoming National Military Strategy a discussion of the Sunni Muslim ideology underpinning the brutality of the Islamic State group and al Qaeda. Published September 25, 2016
Obama wary of generals, admirals commanding in war
As the four armed forces chiefs testified in the Senate about the national security dangers of mandated budget caps, Sen. Lindsey Graham asked each officer if he had discussed the readiness crisis with President Obama. Published September 18, 2016
Marine Corps’ top brass in Washington silences ‘women in combat’ dissenters
Marine Corps headquarters has sent out a Communications Playbook that says top brass in Washington, not local public affairs officers, will control press statements about women in combat. Published September 15, 2016
Obama administration micromanagement hamstrings air command in ISIS fight
The monthly scorecards issued by U.S. Central Command's Air Force component illustrate how carefully — critics would say how inadequately -- the White House oversees the air war against the Islamic State. Published September 13, 2016
Obama launches first cyberwar against ISIS, cuts recruiting by 75 percent
The Obama administration has launched the first cyberwar against the Islamic State, a war that, coupled with real, not virtual, fighting, is producing one of the most encouraging on-the-ground successes in the conflict -- sharply cutting into the number of foreign fighters sneaking into Syria to join the group's terrorist army and its so-called Islamic caliphate. Published September 12, 2016
Islamic State propaganda machine exposed by MEMRI
The Middle East Media Research Institute (MEMRI) has carved out a reputation as the premier tracker and exposer of jihadi social media regularly released by various Islamic State media companies. What MEMRI finds is a constant daily drumbeat of Islamic State propaganda. Published September 12, 2016
U.S. special operations troops in ISIS fight frustrated with limited role
Special operations troops say they should be doing more in the war against the Islamic State group, complaining of strict rules of engagement and White House limits on troop numbers in Iraq and Syria. Published September 11, 2016
Ayman al-Zawahiri, al Qaeda leader: 9/11 attack ‘blessed’
The leader of al Qaeda has addressed the world in a video statement on the 15th anniversary of the September 11, 2001, attacks, calling the massacre "blessed raids" and urging Muslims to cause more bloodshed in America. Published September 9, 2016
Obama viewed NATO as a ‘threat’ rather than peace alliance, top U.S. general charges
The top U.S. general in Europe said President Obama looked at NATO as a warmonger "worry" and "threat" rather than an alliance trying to keep the peace. Published September 9, 2016
ISIS exploits U.S. rules of engagement, Obama’s aversion to civilian deaths even in defeat
Even in losing, the Islamic State group has shown it conducts a "lessons learned" exercise so it won't repeat battlefield mistakes. Published August 21, 2016
Vladimir Putin ups ante in challenge of U.S. dominance of Persian Gulf, Middle East
Russian President Vladimir Putin has outflanked Washington again in the Syrian civil war by launching bombers this week from a new base -- Iran -- giving him the power to strike more quickly with heavier bombardments against U.S.-backed rebels, analysts say. Published August 18, 2016
Obama administration again underestimates ISIS as Afghan affiliate grows into threat
When reporters asked senior military leaders last summer about the Islamic State franchise in Afghanistan's Nangarhar province, the answer was that it was "emergent" — in other words, a fledgling terrorist army. Published August 16, 2016
Anti-Trump letter reveals jittery band of Republican establishment power brokers
ANALYSIS: When Donald Trump says he is running against the Washington establishment -- the news media and consultant-lobbyist class -- the battle lines have been crystal-clear in recent days. Published August 14, 2016
Ray Mabus names Navy ship for Harvey Milk, bypasses military heroes
Navy Secretary Ray Mabus has riled conservatives by once again naming a warship after a liberal activist, in this case slain gay rights icon Harvey Milk. Published August 7, 2016
TSA: Number of prohibited items hidden in luggage increase at U.S. airports
A confidential Transportation Security Administration report says the number of "artfully concealed" prohibited items increased at airports in June, creating fears about threats to passenger aircraft. Published August 3, 2016
ISIS hit list targets 700 U.S. Army soldiers: ‘Kill the dogs’
The Islamic State is targeting the U.S. Army, putting out a hit list of 700 soldiers and ordering its terror army to "kill the dogs." Published August 2, 2016
Obama rushing Mosul offensive against ISIS to influence election, troops fear
Some U.S. officers in Baghdad believe the Obama administration is rushing plans for a Mosul offensive so it takes place before the November presidential election, a retired general says. Published July 24, 2016
Al Qaeda reduced to trumpeting rival ISIS’ terror attacks in online magazine
Perhaps out of jealously, al Qaeda is out with a special edition of its online magazine Inspire with stories devoted to a terrorist attack carried out by a rival — the Bastille Day truck massacre in Nice, France. Published July 21, 2016
Mike Pence put troop safety ahead of jobs by pulling support of Fatima deal
As governor of Indiana, Mike Pence, the Republican vice presidential nominee, put the safety of American troops in Afghanistan ahead of jobs in his state. Published July 20, 2016
9/11 report details Saudi Arabia funding of Muslim extremists in U.S.
Saudi Arabia was funding Muslim radicalism in mosques and charities at the time the Sept. 11, 2001, hijackers were gathering in the United States and making contacts with Saudi nationals, according to a declassified intelligence document. Published July 19, 2016
