Rowan Scarborough
Articles by Rowan Scarborough
Al Qaeda in Iraq mounts comeback
Al Qaeda in Iraq, the Osama bin Laden-inspired terrorist group that sank the country into sectarian violence five years ago, is trying to make a comeback in post-U.S.-occupied Iraq, analysts and intelligence officials say. Published March 4, 2012
Gay Marine’s kiss sparks praise, anger
Marine Corps Sgt. Brandon Morgan's passionate kiss with his boyfriend at an on-base military-family homecoming was photographed and posted on the "Gay Marine" Facebook page, triggering an outpouring of support — and some dissent. Published March 1, 2012
‘Act of Valor’ accomplishes mission of educating public
The Hollywood movie "Act of Valor" — the nation's No. 1 box-office attraction, starring real Navy SEALs — has put the spotlight on the U.S. military's post-Sept. 11, 2001, love affair with the media. Published February 26, 2012
Navy aviator’s career soars; pilot he downed suffers
When retired Air Force pilot Mike Ross learned this month that the Navy aviator who shot him down is on a nomination list for the rank of admiral, he had a visceral reaction. Published February 23, 2012
Military gay group growing, aiming for more rights
An association of gays in the military has more than doubled its membership since last year, is setting up more on-base chapters, and plans to hold its next national conference at a Defense Department resort at Walt Disney World. Published February 20, 2012
Admiral nominee rose through ranks despite ‘illogical act’
When Lt. j.g. Timothy W. Dorsey intentionally fired his fighter jet's missile at an Air Force reconnaissance plane, nearly killing its two aviators and destroying the aircraft during a training exercise, it was hard to imagine then how his Navy career would wind up 25 years later. Published February 16, 2012
Navy: 3 new ships to be named after war heroes
Navy Secretary Ray Mabus, criticized by Congress and veterans for some of his untraditional ship-namings, took the old-school route on Wednesday by naming three destroyers after war heroes. Published February 15, 2012
Naming of Navy ships returns to tradition
Navy Secretary Ray Mabus, under fire from Congress and veterans for naming ships after fellow Democrats and social activists, plans to announce another round of ship names in the near future that will be more traditional, a Pentagon official tells The Washington Times. Published February 14, 2012
Replacement of war-worn equipment cut in budget
The Pentagon is not just cutting manpower to reach deficit-reduction targets: Its 2013 budget, released Monday, shows the military will spend less to replace old weapons after two grueling wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. Published February 13, 2012
Pentagon budget cuts weapons, troops in 2013
The Pentagon is not cutting just manpower to reach deficit-reduction targets: Its 2013 budget released Monday shows the military will spend less on new weapons after two grueling wars. Published February 13, 2012
Pentagon to move women closer to front lines
The Pentagon announced Thursday that it is keeping its longtime ban on women serving as infantry, armor and special operations warriors in ground combat units, but it will open 14,000 support positions for them in units closer to the front lines. Published February 9, 2012
General: ‘Use drones to kill’ the Taliban in Pakistan
A longtime adviser to U.S. commanders in Afghanistan says now is the time for President Obama to change strategy and target Taliban leaders ensconced in Pakistan. Published February 8, 2012
Fleets fade away with Pentagon budget cuts
America's aging tactical Air Force — the jets that protect ground troops and strike hard-to-reach targets — is shrinking just as the Pentagon is cutting even more planes to achieve nearly a half-trillion dollars in spending cuts. Published February 5, 2012
Ex-CIA officials assail ID of agents
Former intelligence officials use "reprehensible" and "egregious" to describe the alleged acts of a former CIA officer charged by the government with betraying his own when he revealed the identities of two overseas operatives to the media. Published January 30, 2012
Panetta says 2013 defense budget to cut land forces
Defense Secretary Leon E. Panetta on Thursday presented the first act in shrinking the war-on-terrorism military over the next five years, saying his 2013 budget will cut land forces by 92,000, ask Congress to close bases and slow production of the F-35 stealth fighter. Published January 26, 2012
U.S. military in Persian Gulf still necessary, welcome force
The U.S. is maintaining a sizable ground, air and sea force in the Persian Gulf, underscoring the need to protect oil-producing states after deposing Iraqi strongman Saddam Hussein and exiting a democratic Iraq in December. Published January 24, 2012
Assad’s fall could solve Iraqi weapons mystery
If Syria's regime falls, the U.S. will be in a better position to answer one of the lingering questions from the long Iraq War: Did Baghdad ship weapons of mass destruction components to Syria before the 2003 American-led invasion? Published January 22, 2012
Many Bush-era hard-liners are Romney security advisers
GOP presidential front-runner Mitt Romney has assembled a cast of conservative George W. Bush-era veterans as his key national security advisers. Some of them played important roles in the war on terror and the invasions of Afghanistan and Iraq. Published January 18, 2012
New Navy budgets may sink plans for aircraft carriers
As Defense Secretary Leon E. Panetta prepares to introduce the strategy's first budget next month, the Navy has been in a furious fight behind the scenes to protect only 10 carriers, sources familiar with the issue told The Washington Times. Published January 15, 2012
Navy readies for Chinese power grab on shipping
The Navy's top officer detailed Tuesday the strategy for making sure the South China Sea and Western Pacific remain open to international shipping, saying an emerging China might try to "limit access in the region." Published January 10, 2012
