Jacqueline Klimas
Articles by Jacqueline Klimas
Ashton Carter: Increase in Syria strikes due to Kurds’ success against Islamic State
Defense Secretary Ashton Carter said Monday that an uptick in airstrikes in Syria over the weekend is the result of coalition air power supporting recent successes by Kurdish forces on the ground. Published July 6, 2015
Islamic State preys on all religions, but groups not of ‘the Book’ brutalized
While the Islamic State has committed horrific acts, including beheadings, against Christians and Muslims, analysts say other minority religions that don't believe in the Bible may face even worse treatment under the terrorists' rule. Published July 2, 2015
Tariq bin Tahar al-‘Awin al-Harzi, Islamic State leader, killed in airstrike
An airstrike in Syria killed a senior Islamic State leader earlier this month, the Pentagon announced Thursday. Published July 2, 2015
Navy, Marine Corps triple maternity leave to better retain women
Women who serve in the Navy and Marine Corps now have 18 weeks of maternity leave, in a move announced Thursday by Navy Secretary Ray Mabus to keep the best and brightest women in uniform. Published July 2, 2015
War threat growing with Iran, Russia, North Korea: National Military Strategy
While insurgent groups in the Middle East pose an immediate threat to America's national security, a report released Wednesday says the country must at the same time shift its focus to state actors such as Iran, Russia and North Korea, because the threat of war with a major power is "low, but growing." Published July 1, 2015
Robert Neller tapped to be Marine Corps commandant
The Pentagon tapped Lt. Gen. Robert Neller on Wednesday to serve as the next commandant of the Marine Corps. Published July 1, 2015
Chance of war with world power ‘low but growing,’ Defense Dept. says
While insurgent groups in the Middle East pose an immediate threat to America's national security, a report released Wednesday says the country must at the same time shift its focus to state actors such as Iran, Russia and North Korea, since the threat of war with a major power is "low, but growing." Published July 1, 2015
Richard Griffin, VA inspector general, steps down amid controversy
The acting director of the Veterans Affairs Department's investigative arm said Tuesday that he will step down after facing criticism from both whistleblowers and members of Congress that he has interfered in the agency's investigations to protect VA leadership. Published June 30, 2015
Pentagon to improve retention of women, rank advancement
In addition to allowing women into combat roles, the Pentagon must make a number of changes in its personnel system to let women reach higher ranks, an issue that has been plaguing the department, a top Defense official said Thursday. Published June 25, 2015
Military has no plans to rename bases named for Confederate military leaders
Amid calls across the country to remove the Confederate flag from public spaces, the Pentagon said Wednesday there are "no discussions" to rename military installations named after Confederate military leaders. Published June 24, 2015
Pentagon launches probe into possible civilian casualties in Hawija, Iraq
The Pentagon announced Wednesday that it had begun a full investigation into alleged civilian casualties from a coalition airstrike in Hawija, Iraq. Published June 24, 2015
Bill would allow transgender troops to serve openly
A House member plans to introduce a bill this month that would allow transgender troops to serve openly in the military by repealing a ban that she says is outdated and doesn't serve any military or medical need. Published June 23, 2015
Shiite militia, U.S. troops sharing Iraqi air base
The Pentagon said Tuesday that a small number of Shiite militia members are at the same Iraqi air base where U.S. personnel deployed earlier this month. Published June 23, 2015
Warrior Games lift spirits of wounded veterans
Marine Lance Cpl. Duncan Mathis rolled to the sidelines of the basketball court in his sport wheelchair, sweat dripping from his face after a hard practice, slipped on his prosthetic leg and then walked out of the gym at Quantico. Published June 22, 2015
Ali Awni al-Harzi, Islamic State operative, killed by U.S. airstrike in Mosul, Iraq
A U.S. airstrike killed an Islamic State operative in Mosul, Iraq, this month, the Pentagon announced Monday. Published June 22, 2015
U.S. to provide troops, weapons to NATO for Russian threats
Defense Secretary Ashton Carter announced Monday that the U.S. will provide American troops and assets to NATO to help defend against Russian security threats. Published June 22, 2015
U.S. forces beginning to train Sunni leaders in Iraq
U.S. personnel at al Taqaddum air base in Iraq are beginning to train Sunni leaders in basic soldiering to help defeat the Islamic State, a defense official said Friday. Published June 19, 2015
Peter Cook named by Pentagon as new press secretary
The Pentagon said Friday that Peter Cook, a former correspondent with Bloomberg TV, will take over as the Pentagon press secretary in July. Published June 19, 2015
House rejects proposal to bring troops home to force war authorization debate
Lawmakers shot down a proposal Wednesday to pull all U.S. troops out of Iraq and Syria, saying that using that as a threat to force a vote on a war authorization is not the best way for the Congress to consider the conflict against the Islamic State. Published June 17, 2015
Ashton Carter: Training of Iraqis slow, but new U.S. troops making progress
Defense Secretary Ashton Carter said Wednesday that the additional U.S. troops sent to Iraq last week are already making progress, but acknowledged that the Iraqi forces currently in the fight are struggling and U.S.-provided training for them is moving too slowly. Published June 17, 2015