Tom Bowman

American soldiers are helping secure oil fields in northeast Syria — not only from ISIS extremists, but from Syria and Russia as well. It's a relatively new mission for these troops.

U.S. Secretary of Defense Mark Esper spoke with NPR's Steve Inskeep on Wednesday on how his department is contributing to the coronavirus response. NPR's Pentagon correspondent reviews the tape.

Right now just over 2,000 members of the National Guard are assisting governors in 27 states, but the head of the National Guard Bureau said that number could double by this weekend.

U.S. forces in northeastern Syria have a relatively new mission: securing oil fields not only from ISIS, but also from Syrian government and Russian forces.

The U.S. has a new mission in Syria: keeping the country's oil fields away from Syrian and Russian forces.

The U.S. and the Taliban signed an agreement that calls for the full withdrawal of American troops from Afghanistan within 14 months.

Contrary to earlier reports of no injuries, 11 U.S. troops were injured in Iranian strikes on Iraqi bases.

Following the December attack on a naval air station, the Pentagon has suspended training of all Saudi military students, as investigators conduct a review of the more than 800 students in the U.S.

Iran launched ballistic missiles against U.S. military and coalition forces in Iraq, targeting at least two military bases. Last week Iran's top general was killed in a U.S. drone strike.

Iran has launched more than a dozen missiles against U.S. and coalition forces in Iraq. Initial damage assessments are being conducted.

Defense Secretary Mark Esper says U.S. troops will be repositioned in Iraq, but will not leave the country. His comments come after a letter from the U.S. military suggested a withdrawal.

Following the U.S. airstrike in Iraq that killed the top Iranian general, the U.S.-led military coalition fighting ISIS said it's temporarily stopping that fight to brace for retaliation from Iran.

NPR's Audie Cornish wraps the latest Iran developments with a roundtable of NPR correspondents covering the Pentagon, the White House and the State Department.

The U.S. has killed Iran's top military leader in a strike on Baghdad airport. The Pentagon says the general was actively developing plans to attack American diplomats and service members in Iraq.

Airstrikes by U.S. forces on Iraq and Syria targeted an Iran-backed militia group. Sunday's strikes followed attacks on U.S. interests and the killing of an American civilian contractor in Iraq.

A round-up of the biggest stories in national security this year, including Syria, North Korea and Afghanistan, and a look forward to 2020.

The Pentagon released the latest soldier death from Afghanistan and it's another Green Beret. Sgt. 1st Class Michael James Goble was the 20th solider killed in the country this year by hostile fire.

The U.S. has a long history of military training for visiting Saudis. The deadly shooting at a Pensacola naval base by a Saudi national tests that relationship.

President Trump made a surprise visit to troops in Afghanistan on Thanksgiving Day, announcing that he believes the Taliban wants a cease-fire and that he is restarting peace talks with the group.

The Navy has decided to allow three SEALs implicated in a war crimes case stay in the commando unit. Meanwhile, the ousted secretary of the Navy sharply criticized President Trump in an op-ed.