Rowan Scarborough
Articles by Rowan Scarborough
Marine Corps weighs lower standards for women after none pass Infantry Officer Course
Two years ago, Army Gen. Martin E. Dempsey, the nation's top military officer, laid down an edict on the Obama administration's plan to open direct land combat jobs to women: If women cannot meet a standard, senior commanders better have a good reason why it should not be lowered. Published April 19, 2015
Iraqi Kurds ill-equipped to fight Islamic State, officials warn
Iraqi Kurdish fighters, the first to seriously confront the Islamic State invasion nine months ago, remain woefully short of arms as the central government in Baghdad withholds shipments of front-line American weapons, a top Kurdish official said. Published April 14, 2015
Terror targets: U.S. troops urged to keep low profile, avoid ‘military slang’ in public
The command in charge of protecting the U.S. homeland has sent a message to troops warning them to hide family information from terror organizations who are trying to frighten them. Published April 13, 2015
Iraq may follow U.S. Marines’ blueprint to defeat Islamic State in Anbar
Baghdad's Shiite-run government has begun its second major counteroffensive against the Islamic State, this time choosing western Anbar province, where the U.S. Marine Corps years ago showed that the path to victory requires an alliance with Sunni tribal chiefs. Published April 12, 2015
Iran creating ‘suicide’ drones that threaten Israel, U.S. Navy: Pentagon
Iran has placed an "explosive emphasis" in putting military surveillance and attack drones into the sky, including "suicide" aircraft that increase risks for Israel and for U.S. ships in the Persian Gulf, according to a new U.S. Army analysis. Published April 8, 2015
Iraq war planners urge U.S. military presence once Islamic State is defeated
This time, when the terrorist insurgency is defeated in Iraq, Washington needs to keep American forces on the ground to sustain the victory, former war planners say. Published April 1, 2015
Arab allies wage war in Yemen with U.S. weapons, without American leadership
The U.S. has shipped billions of dollars worth of its best weapons to the Middle East in recent years, and today Arab nations are tapping that unprecedented arms buildup for the first time to wage war on multiple fronts, sometimes without American leadership. Published March 29, 2015
Army issues troops safety instructions following Islamic State kill list threat
The U.S. Army has issued a worldwide urgent "security awareness message" to soldiers on how to protect their social media accounts, and their homes, from attacks by the Islamic State terrorists or other extremists. Published March 28, 2015
Bowe Bergdahl did not collaborate with the enemy, lawyer says
The lawyer for Army Sgt. Bowe Bergdahl says an official investigation cleared the soldier of any misconduct during his five-year captivity the Taliban and Haqqani terrorist network, trying to dispel speculation that his client somehow collaborated with the enemy. Published March 26, 2015
U.S. assists Iran, launches airstrikes in Tikrit to bolster Shiites
U.S. planes Wednesday night began bombing targets in and around Tikrit, the battle for which is predominately being conducted by Iraqi Shiite militiamen trained, led and equipped by Iran and its special operations Quds Force. Published March 26, 2015
‘Islamist extremists,’ phrase rejected by Obama, embraced by allies
While President Obama and his aides insist that Muslim extremists have nothing to do with Islam the religion, other world leaders are leaving that approach behind. Published March 25, 2015
Tikrit assault stalls as Obama withholds U.S. airstrikes to avoid Iran ties, analysts say
The lack of U.S. airstrikes in and around the city of Tikrit is slowing the Iraqi counteroffensive to retake the strategically situated city from the Islamic State's terrorist army. Published March 22, 2015
Iran threat rhetoric from U.S. intelligence community softer amid Obama nuclear talks
The intelligence community's public statements on Iran this year in some cases are milder about the threat posed by Tehran than in previous years. Published March 19, 2015
Global war will result in ‘banner of Islam’ over White House: Khamenei aide
A top special operations aide to Iran's leader says his troops are in a global war that will one day bring "the banner of Islam over the White House." Published March 17, 2015
Army’s withdrawal of officer’s Silver Star sparks ire of Congress
A group of House lawmakers is moving to strip the armed services' civilian leaders of the power to revoke combat valor awards in response to Army Secretary John McHugh unilaterally canceling the Silver Star, one of the military's highest honors, for a former Green Beret officer. Published March 15, 2015
Obama protects generals in leak probes while low-level employees go to jail
Analysts are questioning whether the White House is protecting one of its inner-circle members in a leak investigation, especially given the Obama administration's demonstrated willingness to prosecute and imprison lower-level government employees for providing classified information to the press. Published March 12, 2015
Obama pushed by House members to OK drones for Jordan in ISIS fight
Over 20 House members are urging President Obama to immediately approve sending strike drones to Jordan to help the Middle East ally fight the Islamic State. Published March 10, 2015
Iran using Obama sanctions relief to undermine U.S. interests in Middle East, senator says
Iran is on a roll in the Middle East, becoming a dominant military player in Iraq, rescuing the regime of Bashar Assad in Syria, bringing down a U.S. ally in Yemen and building its surrogate Hezbollah terrorist army into a political force in Lebanon and throughout the region. Published March 8, 2015
Clinton emails cast new doubts on scope of Benghazi talking points
The public policy group that forced the Obama administration to cough up emails on the infamous Benghazi "talking points" now wonders whether former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton's personal emails were improperly withheld. Published March 4, 2015
Watchdog hints at command cover up of shrinking Afghan forces
The Afghan National Army is shrinking at the very time it is being called on to conduct all combat operations as American troops head toward a complete exit by 2017, a new audit shows. Published March 3, 2015
