Past Articles by Tom Bowman
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U.S. Diplomat Reports Little Help During Benghazi Attacks A congressional committee on Wednesday heard testimony from three witnesses about the events that led to deaths of four Americans at Benghazi in September, 2012. The Benghazi attack has become a political controversy — Republicans accuse the Obama administration of mishandling security there and of misleading the American public after the attack. One new allegation: that a four-person team set to deploy to Benghazi the night of the attack was told not to go. |
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From Battlefield To Boston: Marine Comforts Bombing Survivors Marine Capt. Cam West lost one of his legs to a bomb in Afghanistan. Now part of the Semper Fi Fund, he's inspiring others with similar injuries to look ahead with hope. |
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From Battlefield To Boston: Marine Comforts Bombing Survivors Marine Capt. Cam West lost one of his legs to a bomb in Afghanistan. Now part of the Semper Fi Fund, he's inspiring others with similar injuries to look ahead with hope. |
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U.S. Faces Fight At Intersection Of Crime And Extremism The Justice Department says about half of all international criminal organizations have links to extremist groups, such as Hezbollah, the Taliban and FARC rebels in Colombia. But diffuse priorities are hindering U.S. efforts to combat this growing problem of transnational, organized crime. |
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U.S. Faces Fight At Intersection Of Crime And Extremism The Justice Department says about half of all international criminal organizations have links to extremist groups, such as Hezbollah, the Taliban and FARC rebels in Colombia. But diffuse priorities are hindering U.S. efforts to combat this growing problem of transnational, organized crime. |
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Pressure Builds On White House To Intervene In Syria The White House says it still needs to corroborate information it has received that suggests Syria's government has used chemical weapons. That act would cross a "red line" drawn by President Obama. At that point, the question becomes: What might the U.S. do in response? The Pentagon is already planning. |
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Pressure Builds On White House To Intervene In Syria The White House says it still needs to corroborate information it has received that suggests Syria's government has used chemical weapons. That act would cross a "red line" drawn by President Obama. At that point, the question becomes: What might the U.S. do in response? The Pentagon is already planning. |
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Pressure Builds On White House To Intervene In Syria The White House says it still needs to corroborate information it has received that suggests Syria's government has used chemical weapons. That act would cross a "red line" drawn by President Obama. At that point, the question becomes: What might the U.S. do in response? The Pentagon is already planning. |
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With Eye On Budget, Hagel Seeks Pentagon Changes In his first major policy speech, the defense secretary said the Pentagon is at war with itself: There are competing and spiraling costs within the military — for aging weapons, and for health and pension benefits for military personnel and retirees. He added that U.S. military power must be used judiciously, with a keen appreciation of its limits. |
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As Qualified Men Dwindle, Military Looks For A Few Good Women Pentagon officials say they're opening ground combat jobs to women as a matter of equality. But the military also needs them because the number of military-age men who qualify for service is declining. |
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U.S. Troops Train For Possible Mission To Secure Syrian Chemical Agents The Syrians are believed to have hundreds of tons of chemical agents. NPR has learned that the 82nd Airborne Division just wrapped up a nine-day training exercise at Fort Bragg, N.C., to get ready for a possible mission to deal with those deadly chemicals. |
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U.S. Troops Train For Possible Mission To Secure Syrian Chemical Agents The Syrians are believed to have hundreds of tons of chemical agents. NPR has learned that the 82nd Airborne Division just wrapped up a nine-day training exercise at Fort Bragg, N.C., to get ready for a possible mission to deal with those deadly chemicals. |
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U.S. Troops Train For Possible Mission To Secure Syrian Chemical Agents The Syrians are believed to have hundreds of tons of chemical agents. NPR has learned that the 82nd Airborne Division just wrapped up a nine-day training exercise at Fort Bragg, N.C., to get ready for a possible mission to deal with those deadly chemicals. |
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Review Of Deadly Attack On Base In Afghanistan Finds Troops Let Guard Down Some guard towers were unattended, and the insurgents "got lucky" by cutting through the fence at a remote area. A Congressional source says it doesn't appear anyone will be punished for the attack. |
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Review Of Deadly Attack On Base In Afghanistan Finds Troops Let Guard Down Some guard towers were unattended, and the insurgents "got lucky" by cutting through the fence at a remote area. A Congressional source says it doesn't appear anyone will be punished for the attack. |
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Republicans Criticize Pentagon's Response To Attack On U.S. Consulate In Benghazi Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta testified before a Senate committee Thursday about the September attack in Benghazi that killed the U.S. ambassador to Libya and three other Americans. Panetta was questioned about whether the U.S. response was fast enough and about why the U.S. military had not been better prepared for the possibility of an attack. |
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Republicans Criticize Pentagon's Response To Attack On U.S. Consulate In Benghazi Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta testified before a Senate committee Thursday about the September attack in Benghazi that killed the U.S. ambassador to Libya and three other Americans. Panetta was questioned about whether the U.S. response was fast enough and about why the U.S. military had not been better prepared for the possibility of an attack. |
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Pentagon Will Brief Congress On Deadly Sept. 14 Camp Bastion Attack Congress, which has been pushing for answers, says there may have been serious security lapses. The attack killed two U.S. Marines. |
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Pentagon Will Brief Congress On Deadly Sept. 14 Camp Bastion Attack Congress, which has been pushing for answers, says there may have been serious security lapses. The attack killed two U.S. Marines. |
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Pentagon Remains Big Target In Likely Budget Cuts Although a fiscal cliff was narrowly prevented at the beginning at the year, there's another budget deadline approaching. If Congress doesn't act, billions in automatic budget cuts will slice military spending, possibly hurting contractors and some personnel. |
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Pentagon Remains Big Target In Likely Budget Cuts Although a fiscal cliff was narrowly prevented at the beginning at the year, there's another budget deadline approaching. If Congress doesn't act, billions in automatic budget cuts will slice military spending, possibly hurting contractors and some personnel. |
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U.S. Military Seeks Its Role In Troubled North Africa The U.S. Africa Command, designed to strengthen defense relationships in Africa, is still trying to define its mission. African states have been wary, while the State Department and aid groups also express concerns. But growing conflicts in the region may soon put AFRICOM to the test. |
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U.S. Military Seeks Its Role In Troubled North Africa The U.S. Africa Command, designed to strengthen defense relationships in Africa, is still trying to define its mission. African states have been wary, while the State Department and aid groups also express concerns. But growing conflicts in the region may soon put AFRICOM to the test. |
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Post Afghan Mission, How Many U.S. Troops Stay There? President Obama and Defense Secretary Leon Panetta both talked this week about bringing the Afghan War to a close. But the U.S. will maintain at least several thousand troops in the country once combat comes to an end at the end of 2014. The U.S. will spend billions of dollars financing the Afghan security forces. |
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U.S. Military Builds Up Its Presence In Africa The U.S. military plans to send an Army brigade to Africa next year. Some 4,000 soldiers would deploy — in small units and at different times — to help train and advise African troops. It's part of an Obama administration plan to address the growing challenge posed by terrorism in Africa. |
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U.S. Military Builds Up Its Presence In Africa The U.S. military plans to send an Army brigade to Africa next year. Some 4,000 soldiers would deploy — in small units and at different times — to help train and advise African troops. It's part of an Obama administration plan to address the growing challenge posed by terrorism in Africa. |
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Hagel Would Be First Former Enlisted Soldier To Run Pentagon President Obama may nominate former Nebraska Republican Sen. Chuck Hagel to be the next defense secretary. The Vietnam veteran could bring a bipartisan presence to Obama's Cabinet, but only if he survives opposition from some in his own party. |
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U.S. Officials: Syria Has Prepared Several Dozen Chemical Bombs American officials tell NPR that Syria's preparations are more extensive than previously reported. The U.S. and NATO are preparing for ways to address the chemical weapons threat. |
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U.S. Officials: Syria Has Prepared Several Dozen Chemical Bombs American officials tell NPR that Syria's preparations are more extensive than previously reported. The U.S. and NATO are preparing for ways to address the chemical weapons threat. |
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Farewell: USS Enterprise Starred In History And Film The aircraft carrier was the largest ship in the world, and the first nuclear-powered aircraft when it was commissioned. It's played a featured role in world conflicts — and Hollywood movies — for more than a half-century. Now it's being retired. |
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U.S. Offers New Details Of Deadly Libya Attack A source familiar with the events on Sept. 11 in Benghazi says there was a sense of urgency among officials. Officials say extra forces were sent to help, but arrived late, and that they considered sending warplanes but ultimately thought it would lead to civilian casualties. Four Americans, including the ambassador to Libya, were killed in the attack. |
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U.S. Eager To Step Aside; Are Afghan Forces Ready? Officially, U.S. and allied commanders say that Afghan forces are "in the lead" on security in their country. But with the transition to Afghan control looming, senior U.S. officers say that's just wishful thinking. The U.S. needs to stop coddling the Afghans, these officers say, and let them do their job. |
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Horses, Bayonets And The Modern Military President Obama said during Monday night's debate that the U.S. Army has fewer horses and bayonets than in the past. That's true, although Army Special Forces were on horseback in Afghanistan when they helped defeat the Taliban in 2001. The last bayonet charge was during the Korean War in 1951. |
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Second Female Marine Fails Grueling Infantry Officer Course The female volunteers are part of a study by the Marines to see if women can become ground combat leaders. No other female Marines have signed up for the next course. |
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Marine General Expected To Be Next Commander In Afghanistan Gen. Joseph Dunford will be nominated to succeed Gen. John Allen as the top commander in Afghanistan, according to a defense official familiar with the decision. Allen is to become head of the U.S. European Command. |
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Afghanistan Deadline Awaits Next U.S. President Afghan forces are scheduled to take control of their country's security by the end of 2014. While President Obama says they will be fully responsible by then, Mitt Romney calls the deadline a goal. Either way, the next president will face a 10-year agreement to help Afghans with counterterrorism and training. |
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First Female Marines Take Combat Leadership Test For the first time, two female Marines are among those training to see if they have what it takes to be battlefield leaders. They're part of a test to see if women can lead Marines in ground combat - jobs that are closed to them now. The training is so difficult that about 20 percent of participants fail. |
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U.S.-Afghan Patrols Halted After Insider Attacks The U.S. command in Afghanistan has suspended joint patrols by U.S. and Afghan forces. The move comes as the military tries to figure out how to stop insider attacks by Afghans against U.S. and NATO troops. |
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Antietam: A Savage Day In American History The Battle of Antietam was the bloodiest single day in American history, and the partial victory by Union troops led Abraham Lincoln to issue the Emancipation Proclamation. Monday marks the 150th anniversary of the Civil War battle that left 23,000 men killed or wounded on both sides. |
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Libyan Guards May Have Faltered At U.S. Consulate After the U.S. Ambassador and three other Americans were killed in Benghazi, Libya, questions are being raised about the security at the consulate and whether there should have been a more robust force to protect Americans there. |
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Afghan Troops Vetted Again After U.S., NATO Attacks A top U.S. general in Afghanistan says all 350,000 Afghan troops will be vetted once more in an effort to verify their loyalties and their backgrounds. Already the Afghans have removed as many as 300 Afghan troops who did not measure up. This year there has been a spate of insider attacks on U.S. and NATO troops. |
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U.S. Faces Growing 'Insider Attacks' In Afghanistan The top U.S. commander in Afghanistan cites multiple reasons for the increase in attacks by men in Afghan uniforms. Taliban infiltrators, friction between NATO and Afghan troops, and even Ramadan are all seen as factors. |
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Air Force Chief Leaves Legacy In The Sky: Drones The U.S. Air Force's top officer, Gen. Norton Schwartz, is retiring after four years on the job. Schwartz was a champion of remotely piloted aircraft, or drones. But he says the Air Force will continue to need pilots for decades and more manned aircraft to ensure it can prevail with a minimum use of force. |
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U.S. Wages Sisyphean War Against Afghan Corruption The U.S. has cited corruption as a major issue in Afghanistan for years. Yet as the U.S. military effort has begun to wind down, the Americans have made little progress in combating an endemic problem. |
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Obama Warns Syria Against Using Chemical Weapons Amid reports that the Syrian government is moving their stockpiles of chemical weapons, American policymakers are growing increasingly alarmed. They're concerned that the fighting could enter a deadlier phase or the weapons could fall into the hands of terrorists. Defense Secretary Leon Panetta says the Syrian government will be held accountable for any use of the weapons. But officials are worried they have limited options to do anything to prevent it. |
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As Fighting In Syria Intensifies, U.S. Worries About Chemical Weapons Syria is thought to have the most advanced chemical warfare program in the Arab world. |
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Grandfathers' Stories Inspire Military Service On Independence Day, we continue an occasional series, Those Who Serve, with a story about an Army captain who grew up hearing about the exploits of his grandfathers in Asia during World War II. Now he's a captain serving in Afghanistan. |
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No. 2 U.S. Commander In Afghanistan Would Like 68,000 Troops Into Next Year While the American public and some White House officials would like to see more troop reductions as 2012 ends and 2013 begins, Lt. Gen. Curtis Scaparrotti says it's likely troop levels will need to hold steady "through the first part of the year." |
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For U.S. Troops, One More Big Push In Afghanistan U.S. soldiers are trying to deal a crippling blow to the Taliban in the eastern Afghan province of Ghazni. It's one of the last major Taliban strongholds, but the American forces are trying to do the job on a short timetable. |
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Afghan Forces Prepare For Post-U.S. Future In 2010, the southern Afghan town of Marjah was a haven for the Taliban and drug traffickers. Today, after a massive effort by the U.S. Marines, the Taliban have fled and the area is relatively peaceful. But many are concerned about Marjah's future once American combat forces leave the area. |
