Kellan Howell

Kellan Howell is a continuous news writer for The Washington Times, covering defense and national security. Originally from Williamsburg, Virginia, Kellan graduated from James Madison University where she received bachelor's degrees in media arts and design and international affairs with a concentration in western European politics.

During her time at JMU, she interned for British technology and business news website "ITPro" in London and worked as a freelance reporter for The Washington Guardian. She was also an executive editor of 22807, a new student magazine covering arts and culture in the JMU community.

Kellan can be reached at khowell@washingtontimes.com.

Articles by Kellan Howell

A Russian MiG-29 plane flies during a celebration marking the Russian air force's 100th anniversary in Zhukovsky, outside Moscow, Russia, in this Aug. 11, 2012, file photo. The Syrian air force has destroyed two of three jets seized and reportedly test flown over Aleppo by the Islamic State group last week, according to Omran al-Zoubi, the country's information minister who spoke on Syrian TV late Tuesday, Oct. 21. 2014. (AP Photo/Misha Japaridze, File)

U.S. and Russian fighter jets fly within miles of each other over Syria

U.S. and Russian fighter jets flew within just 10 or 20 miles of each other in the skies over Syria on Saturday, U.S. military officials confirmed. Published October 14, 2015

Senate Armed Services Committee Chairman John McCain, Arizona Republican, speaks on Capitol Hill in Washington, on Sept. 22, 2015. (Associated Press)

John McCain: White House ‘floundering’ in Syria

Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) blasted the Obama administration Tuesday for its weak response to Russian aggression in Syria, saying the White House is "floundering." Published October 13, 2015

U.S. President Bush, left, and Russian President Vladimir Putin, wearing traditional Chilean ponchos, are seen prior to the leaders' group photo at the 2004 APEC Summit in Santiago, Chile, Sunday, Nov. 21, 2004. (AP Photo/ITAR-TASS, Presidential Press Service) ** FILE **

Russia reminds U.S. of post-9/11 military support: ‘We didn’t ask are they good or bad terrorists?’

Feeling the sting from U.S. criticism of its airstrike campaign in Syria, Russia on Tuesday reminded Washington of its past support for the U.S. in the aftermath of the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. Published October 13, 2015

‘Bearded Villains’ group of hipsters mistaken for Islamic State terrorists

A group of bearded men got into a hairy situation when passers-by mistook them for Islamic State terrorists, and called the police. Published October 13, 2015

A female Air Force Sergeant joins the third day of protests by low ranking soldiers in La Paz, Bolivia, Thursday, April 24, 2014. The soldiers marched for a third day against the military high command's dismissal of four of its leaders who defended their call for better career opportunities. Enlisted men and women are demanding changes so that non-commissioned officers in Bolivia's military may study to become career officers. (AP Photo/Juan Karita)

John McHugh, Army secretary: Women will likely have to register for the draft

As female soldiers are becoming more integrated into combat roles in the Army, Congress will eventually have to decide whether women will have to register for the draft, Army Secretary John McHugh said Monday. Published October 13, 2015

U.S. Army 1st Lt. Shaye Haver, right, stands in formation during an Army Ranger school graduation ceremony Friday, Aug. 21, 2015, at Fort Benning, Ga. Lt. Haver and Capt. Kristen Griest became the first female soldiers to complete the Army's rigorous school, putting a spotlight on the debate over women in combat. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)

Third female soldier earns Army Ranger tab

A third female student in the Army's prestigious Ranger School will graduate from the grueling program, officials announced. Published October 13, 2015

The Rev. Jeremiah Wright, pastor emeritus of the Trinity United Church of Christ in Chicago, speaks in Jackson, Miss., on March 25, 2012. (Associated Press) ** FILE **

Jeremiah Wright: ‘Jesus was a Palestinian’

Controversial religious leader Jeremiah Wright on Saturday compared minority populations to Palestinians, even going so far as to claim "Jesus was a Palestinian" and blasting Israel as an "apartheid state." Published October 10, 2015

(Image: C-SPAN)

Million Man March speaker chants ‘Down, down USA’

A female Native American speaker led a crowd in a chant of "down, down USA" at the Million Man March in Washington, D.C., on Saturday. Published October 10, 2015

Michael C. Teegarden (Image: Hanover County Sheriff's Office)

Michael Teegarden, Martin O’Malley’s Va. campaign chairman, fired over child porn charges

Democratic presidential candidate Martin O'Malley's Virginia campaign chairman has been cut from the campaign after being arrested on two felony child porn charges. Published October 10, 2015

This undated file image posted on a militant website on Tuesday, Jan. 14, 2014, which has been verified and is consistent with other AP reporting, shows fighters from the al Qaeda-linked Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) or Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS), now called the Islamic State group, marching in Raqqa, Syria. (AP Photo/Militant Website, File)

N.J. man receives backlash from neighbors over ‘tasteless’ anti-ISIS Halloween decor

A New Jersey homeowner is in hot water with his neighbors over a controversial anti-Islamic State Halloween display. Published October 10, 2015

Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Gina McCarthy testifies on Capitol Hill in Washington, in this Sept. 16, 2015, file photo. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci, File)

EPA spends millions on military-style weapons, watchdog group reports

The Environmental Protection Agency has spent millions of dollars over the last decade on military-style weapons to arm its 200 "special agents" to fight environmental crime. Published October 10, 2015

Clemson University's "Maximum Mexican" night features tacos, balloons, and a mariachi band. (Image: Twitter @xoclemsonpanda)

Clemson University apologizes to offended students for annual ‘Maximum Mexican’ food day

Clemson University issued an apology this week after some students were offended by the school's annual "Maximum Mexican" dining night. Published October 10, 2015

In this May 28, 2015, file photo, actress Raven-Symone attends the Broadway opening of "An Act Of God" at Studio 54 in New York. Raven-Symone is now officially a co-host of "The View." (Photo by Andy Kropa/Invision/AP, File)

Raven-Symone of ‘The View’: I wouldn’t hire someone named ‘Watermelondrea’

Raven-Symone of "The View" has come under fire after admitting she discriminates against "ghetto" names like "Watermelondrea." Published October 10, 2015

This March 27, 2008, file photo, shows the Pentagon in Washington. (AP Photo/Charles Dharapak, File)

Pentagon bans University of Phoenix from recruiting students on military bases

The Pentagon on Thursday placed the University of Phoenix on probation, barring the for-profit school from recruiting on military bases and preventing troops from using federal money to pay tuition. Published October 9, 2015

Trucks carrying the wreckage of downed Malaysia Airlines flight MH17 arrive from the Ukraine at Gilze-Rijen military base, Netherlands, Tuesday, Dec. 9, 2014. The Boeing 777 plummetted from high altitude over eastern Ukraine on July 17 2014, killing all 298 passengers and crew on board. Two-thirds of the victims hailed from the Netherlands, the Dutch government is now leading the investigation. (AP Photo/Peter Dejong)

Russian maker of missile that took down MH17 to offer alternative explanation of disaster

The Russian manufacturer of the missile system blamed for taking down commercial flight MH17 in Ukraine said Friday it would unveil the "real reasons" for the disaster on Tuesday. Published October 9, 2015

Jason Rezaian, an Iranian-American correspondent for The Washington Post, smiles as he attends a presidential campaign of President Hassan Rouhani in Tehran, Iran, in this April 11, 2013, file photo. (AP Photo/Vahid Salemi, File)

Jason Rezaian, Washington Post reporter, held 444 days in Iranian prison, length of hostage crisis

Jason Rezaian, the Washington Post reporter imprisoned in Iran spent his 444th day in captivity on Friday, the same length of time as the Americans held during the 1979-1981 Iranian hostage crisis. Published October 9, 2015

Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump speaks at a rally Thursday, Oct. 8, 2015, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/John Locher)

Donald Trump: Bowe Bergdahl a ‘no-good traitor,’ should have been executed for desertion

GOP presidential candidate Donald Trump blasted Army. Sgt. Bowe Bergdahl, calling him a traitor and arguing he should have been executed for deserting. Published October 9, 2015

Former Army Sgt. Dillard Johnson (Image: Screen grab from Fox News video)

Dillard Johnson, ‘deadliest soldier,’ targeted by British jihadi on Twitter

A Twitter account thought to be run by a British Islamic State supporter, known as "Mrs. Terror" has published the home address, details and family photos of a decorated U.S. soldier calling for reprisal attacks. Published October 9, 2015

The Golden Hammer

Golden Hammer: Feds spending millions on racially targeted obesity studies

The federal government has spent almost $1.5 million over the last five years to study obesity among pregnant women, with a specific focus on minorities. Published October 8, 2015

FILE - In this Sunday, July 26, 2015 file pool photo, Russian President Vladimir Putin, centre, reviews a Navy parade in Baltisk, western Russia, during celebration for Russian Navy Day. With dozens of Russian combat jets and helicopter gunships lined up at an air base in Syria, Russian President Vladimir Putin is ready for a big-time show at the United Nations General Assembly. Observers expect the Russian leader to call for stronger U.N.-sanctioned global action against the Islamic State group and possibly announce some military moves in his speech on Monday, Sept. 28, 2015. (Mikhail Klimentyev/RIA-Novosti, Kremlin Pool Photo via AP, file)

Russian missiles launched for Syria landed in Iran

Cruise missiles launched from a Russia ship and aimed at targets in Syria have crashed in Iran, two U.S. officials said. Published October 8, 2015