Jacqueline Klimas

American Legion opposes changes to military retirement, health care

The American Legion, one of the nation's largest veterans advocacy groups, said Wednesday that it opposes major reforms to military health care and retirement proposed earlier this year by a commission charged with fixing the military benefits system. Published April 22, 2015

Mark Welsh, Air Force chief: Services must be more agile to respond to threats like Islamic State

Defense Secretary Ashton Carter will announce new initiatives Thursday to help the military stay on the cutting edge of technology, but some worry that budget concerns may thwart the Pentagon's initiatives to modernize. Published April 22, 2015

Russia recruits U.S. allies in Eastern Europe by raising doubts about security commitment

Russia is trying to slowly strip away U.S. allies in Eastern Europe by playing up fears that Washington will not come to their aid, as promised nearly a decade ago, because of a lack of foreign strategy and commitment to the region, analysts say. Published April 21, 2015

Ted Cruz takes on the military, says ‘Second Amendment rights are removed’ from troops on base

Sen. Ted Cruz is asking lawmakers to consider allowing troops to carry personal firearms on base for protection, reviving a fight that has previously been a nonstarter with Congress after military leaders said they didn't support the change. Published April 21, 2015

U.S. Navy carrier group, Iranian ships flow into Arabian Sea

Having a carrier in the Arabian Sea gives the U.S. more options as security continues to deteriorate in Yemen, the Pentagon said Tuesday. Published April 21, 2015

U.S. Navy warships deployed to Yemeni waters, could block Iranian weapons

U.S. Navy warships are headed to Yemeni waters to be in position to intercept Iranian weapons shipments. Published April 20, 2015

U.S. begins training Ukrainian national guard to fight Russia

About 300 U.S. service members began training soldiers in the Ukraine national guard on Monday as Russia warned that the American involvement could make the already dangerous region even less stable. Published April 20, 2015

‘Difficult to assess’ if Islamic State operating in Libya, Afghanistan: White House

Despite deadly incidents in Libya and Afghanistan over the weekend, the White House said Monday it is "difficult to assess" whether the Islamic State terrorist group has moved beyond Iraq and Syria and now is operating in other parts of the Middle East and North Africa. Published April 20, 2015

Islamic State has gained a ‘toehold’ in Libya: Pentagon

The Pentagon acknowledged Monday that the Islamic State has gained a "toehold" in Libya, suggesting that the terrorist group is spreading from the Middle East into North Africa. Published April 20, 2015

Iraq has momentum in battle with Islamic State: Central Command

The chief of Central Command public affairs said Friday that the mission to train and equip Iraqi soldiers is giving local forces the momentum they need to ultimately defeat the Islamic State, despite reports that locals are fleeing Ramadi as terrorist forces move into the city. Published April 17, 2015

In Iraq, Pentagon focused on fight for refinery in Baiji

The U.S. military is focusing its efforts against the Islamic State in Baiji, a strategic oil-refining center north of Tikrit, to cut the terrorist group's revenue sources in Iraq, Pentagon leaders said in a briefing Thursday. Published April 16, 2015

Leon Panetta’s official portrait, with dog Bravo, unveiled at Pentagon

Former Defense Secretary Leon Panetta said that he included Bravo, his golden retriever, in his official portrait to remind everyone of how important it is to be loyal to your fellow service members and country. Published April 16, 2015

U.S. military ‘hostile’ to Christians under Obama; morale, retention devastated

Christians are leaving the U.S. military or are discouraged from joining in the first place because of a "hostile work environment" that doesn't let them express their beliefs openly, religious freedom advocates say. Published April 15, 2015

Sailor guilty of trading classified info for cash, prostitute

A sailor pleaded guilty Wednesday to accepting cash, hotel rooms and the services of a prostitute in exchange for revealing classified Navy ship schedules, marking the latest episode in a bribery scandal that broke earlier this year. Published April 15, 2015

Ileana Ros-Lehtinen: Obama consulting Congress is ‘like fantasy football’

Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, Florida Republican, said Wednesday that suggesting Obama might consult Congress on matters of foreign policy or national security is "kind of like fantasy football." Published April 15, 2015

Obama admin needs clearer strategy in Middle East, analysts say

As terrorist groups have multiplied and spread throughout Asia, the Middle East and North Africa, analysts on Wednesday stressed the need for the Obama administration to communicate a stronger strategy to Americans and allies in the region. Published April 15, 2015