Tom Bowman

Tom Bowman appears in the following:

Retired Lt. Gen. Keith Kellogg Named Acting National Security Adviser

Tuesday, February 14, 2017

President Trump's National Security Adviser Michael Flynn has resigned amid allegations he inappropriately talked about U.S. sanctions in December with a Russian official.

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FACT CHECK: Trump's Yemen Raid — 'Winning Mission' Or 'Failure'? It's Not So Simple

Friday, February 10, 2017

President Trump tweeted criticism of Sen. John McCain, who called the Yemen raid a "failure." Trump said McCain "doesn't know how to win anymore" and called it a "winning mission." But is that true?

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General Requests Thousands More Troops To Break Afghanistan 'Stalemate'

Thursday, February 09, 2017

The U.S. commander in Afghanistan, Gen. John Nicholson, tells the Senate that the U.S.-led mission is in a "stalemate." He says the Taliban gained 15 percent more ground in 2016 and that "a few thousand" more NATO trainers are needed.

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Yemen Aftermath: Trump's First Military Raid Continues To Raise Questions

Thursday, February 02, 2017

Witnesses tell NPR about the raid, the military's first under President Trump. It resulted in deaths of a Navy SEAL and civilians. A CENTCOM investigation is underway, but similar raids could follow.

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U.S. Acknowledges Death Of Civilians In Yemen Raid

Thursday, February 02, 2017

The U.S. military has acknowledged that civilians were killed in last weekend's special operations raid in Yemen. Other questions continue to swirl, however, including whether American forces' surprise was blown and whether their target was indeed an al-Qaida terrorist as they believed.

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Security Roundup: Yemen Raid; National Security Council Shakeup

Monday, January 30, 2017

A U.S. serviceman was killed in the raid that also killed some 14 al-Qaida terrorists. News of the raid followed orders from the White House, including one that changed the National Security Council.

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Trump Closes First Week In Office With Visit To The Pentagon

Friday, January 27, 2017

President Trump visited the Pentagon for the first time on Friday. He conducted a formal swearing-in for Defense Secretary Mattis and met with the Joint Chiefs of Staff.

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Trump Renews Consideration Of Military 'Safe Zones' In Syria

Thursday, January 26, 2017

President Trump has revived discussion about implementing military "safe zones" in Syria, an idea from the early days of the civil war. But fencing off areas in Syria might not make sense given the current reality of the conflict, and it would be a challenge for the U.S. and its allies to put them into place.

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Obama Defends Decision To Commute Sentence Of Chelsea Manning

Wednesday, January 18, 2017

President Obama convened his final press conference in office on Wednesday less than a day after commuting the prison sentence of convicted leaker Chelsea Manning. Obama was expected to face questions about his decision to grant clemency to Manning, who gave hundreds of thousands of military and diplomatic files to WikiLeaks.

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Reaction Varies To Chelsea Manning's Prison Sentence Being Shortened

Wednesday, January 18, 2017

President Obama commuted the prison sentence of ex-Army Private Chelsea Manning, who gave a trove of secret military and diplomatic files to WikiLeaks. Obama's action has angered many in the military.

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Senate Committee Questions Gen. James Mattis In Defense Confirmation Hearing

Thursday, January 12, 2017

Retired Marine Gen. James Mattis faces the Senate Armed Services Committee on Thursday for his confirmation hearing to become President-elect Trump's secretary of defense. The popular former four-star commander is expected to face questions about ISIS, Iraq, Afghanistan and other tough issues, but appears likely to be confirmed.

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Why Generals Need Congressional Waivers To Become Defense Secretary

Monday, January 09, 2017

George Marshall was the last general nominated for defense secretary and he needed a waiver from Congress. We take a look at Marshall's Senate hearing in 1950. Donald Trump's pick also needs a waiver.

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Fearing Arrest At Home, Turkish Military Officers Seek Asylum In U.S.

Thursday, December 22, 2016

The officers, posted to the U.S. on exchange tours, are stranded after a July coup attempt in Turkey that has led to deep purges. They risk prison if they go home. Washington is in a tough position.

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5 Fact Checks From President Obama's News Conference

Friday, December 16, 2016

President Obama gave one of his final news conferences as president on Friday. Here, NPR reporters provide context on five different Obama quotes.

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A Closer Look At Michael Flynn

Thursday, December 08, 2016

Michael Flynn was a celebrated Army intelligence officer, though he was forced out of the Defense Intelligence Agency. He's known for energy and smarts, and for sharing conspiracy theories.

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After Criticizing Generals In The Campaign, Trump Names Them To Top Jobs

Monday, December 05, 2016

President-elect Donald Trump has already picked two former generals, Michael Flynn and James Mattis, for top positions and is considering at least one more, David Petraeus.

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Trump Picks Retired Marine Corps Gen. Mattis As Defense Secretary

Friday, December 02, 2016

At a rally in Cincinnati on Thursday night, Donald Trump said he would select retired Marine Corps Gen. James Mattis to lead the Defense Department, filling a key role in the incoming administration.

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Trump Says Retired Gen. Mattis Is His Choice To Lead Pentagon

Thursday, December 01, 2016

Speaking to a crowd in Cincinnati where he celebrated his win in Ohio, Trump compared Mattis to World War II Gen. George S. Patton and said a formal announcement of his nomination would come Monday.

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Not Afraid To Ruffle Feathers: How Michael Flynn Became A Trump Confidant

Friday, November 18, 2016

The retired general was one of the first ex-military officers to back Donald Trump. His brazen comments and partisan political work trouble some of his former colleagues.

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Political Obstacles May Hinder Retaking Of 2 ISIS Holdouts

Monday, November 14, 2016

As Iraqi forces move into Mosul, they face resistance from ISIS fighters. In Syria, local forces have started an operation to recapture Raqqa, the defacto capital of ISIS.

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