Jacqueline Klimas
Articles by Jacqueline Klimas
Nasir al-Wuhayshi death by U.S. drone strike creates al Qaeda global leadership gap
The U.S. drone strike that killed the leader of al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula -- the global terrorist group's second-in-command -- is unlikely to slow the group's deadly operations in Yemen but is expected to have a deep and lasting effect on the struggling global operations of "al Qaeda prime" -- the core group that Osama bin Laden founded and led until his death in 2011. Published June 16, 2015
Senate blocks directly arming Kurds in Islamic State fight
The Senate stalemated Tuesday afternoon on the best strategy to fight the Islamic State, failing to approve an amendment that would allow the administration to go around the central Iraqi government and directly arm Kurdish forces. Published June 16, 2015
Al Qaeda leader killed in Yemen drone strike
The leader of al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula -- the most dangerous arm of the terrorist group -- has been killed in a strike in Yemen, the White House announced Tuesday. Published June 16, 2015
Senators look to limit U.S. troops in Islamic State fight
Senators said Monday prohibiting American boots on the ground in the fight against the Islamic State should be part of this year's debate on the defense policy bill. Published June 15, 2015
Al Qaeda leader in Libya presumed dead in U.S. strike: Pentagon
The U.S. likely killed an al Qaeda leader Saturday night during an airstrike in Libya, though a Pentagon investigation into the strike is ongoing. Published June 15, 2015
11 live anthrax lots found at Dugway lab so far
Nearly half of the anthrax lots that have been tested so far at Dugway Proving Grounds in Utah have contained live bacteria, the Pentagon said Thursday, as testing continues on the remaining Pentagon samples. Published June 11, 2015
Pentagon considering expanding U.S. presence in Iraq
The U.S. hub at al Taqaddum air base to help Iraqis in the fight against the Islamic State could be the first of "several," the Pentagon said Thursday. Published June 11, 2015
Obama sending hundreds of troops to Iraq to train nation’s military
Under pressure to come up with a winning strategy to defeat the Islamic State, President Obama ordered up to 450 more U.S. troops to Iraq Wednesday to "advise and assist" Iraqi forces, as Capitol Hill lawmakers pressed for a greater role in authorizing the burgeoning military operation. Published June 10, 2015
Islamic State keeps firm grip one year after Mosul’s fall
Mosul -- Iraq's second-largest city -- fell to Islamic State control exactly one year ago Wednesday and, because of weaknesses among Iraqi forces and the unexpected strength of terrorist fighters, analysts predict the Iraqis aren't even close to reclaiming it, despite U.S. assurances that a major offensive would be underway by summertime. Published June 9, 2015
Pentagon admits cyber shortcomings after Syrian hackers hit Army website
A top Pentagon official said the military is failing to recruit enough cyber warriors just one day after Syrian hackers claimed that they infiltrated the Army's official website, causing the site to be taken offline for several hours. Published June 9, 2015
Ashton Carter’s candor on national security matters creates headaches for Obama
Defense Secretary Ashton Carter's honesty on matters of national security is causing headaches for the White House, but lawmakers on Capitol Hill like his willingness to dig into controversial issues publicly -- unlike previous defense secretaries who voiced their frustration with the administration only after leaving office. Published June 8, 2015
Army website hacked by Syrian Electronic Army
The Syrian Electronic Army claimed responsibility on Twitter for hacking into the Army's official website Monday to protest the training America is providing to Syrian rebels. Published June 8, 2015
Iraqi forces gain momentum in Baiji fight against Islamic State: Pentagon
Iraqi forces have made progress in driving Islamic State fighters out of the city of Baiji and the nearby oil refinery, though the fight is far from over, the Pentagon said Monday. Published June 8, 2015
More labs suspected of receiving live anthrax in 19 states and D.C.
The Defense Department said Monday that its ongoing investigation has revealed that 66 labs may have received live anthrax, up from 52 last week. Published June 8, 2015
John McHugh, Army secretary, to leave post by November
Army Secretary John McHugh will leave his post as the Army's top civilian later this year, the Defense Department said Monday. Published June 8, 2015
Rand Paul, GOP back arming Kurds against Islamic State
Most Republican 2016 presidential contenders say they support arming Kurdish fighters in the campaign against the Islamic State, marking a clear departure from President Obama's current foreign strategy and a welcome game plan among military analysts, who say arming the Kurds is a must-do to defeat the terror organization. Published June 7, 2015
Restrictive rules of engagement in Islamic State fight necessary, U.S. air commander says
The leader of the air campaign against the Islamic State said Friday that there have been more than a hundred proposed strikes where the target was found to be a friendly force, highlighting the need for restrictive rules of engagement. Published June 5, 2015
U.S., India join forces to counter Beijing aggression in South China Sea
ANALYSIS: The defense framework signed with India this week during Defense Secretary Ashton Carter's trip to the Pacific is the most recent step in U.S. efforts to put together a coalition to counter China's growing influence, including its aggression in the South China Sea. Published June 4, 2015
Bowe Bergdahl preliminary hearing postponed
The preliminary hearing for Sgt. Bowe Bergdahl, which was originally scheduled for July 8, will be pushed back more than two months at the request of his lawyer, the Army said Thursday. Published June 4, 2015
Anthrax update: Numbers of labs that may have received live spores grows to 51
The number of labs that may have accidentally received live anthrax has increased to 51, the Pentagon announced Wednesday, amid the start of an investigation to test the departments more than 400 samples of dead anthrax to check for any more live spores. Published June 3, 2015