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Plan advances to create Space Force, parental leave for federal workers
The orange glow of the setting sun reflects off the west side of the U.S. Capitol in Washington on Wednesday, Dec. 4, 2019.<br>Carlos Bongioanni/Stars and Stripes
The orange glow of the setting sun reflects off the west side of the U.S. Capitol in Washington on Wednesday, Dec. 4, 2019.<br>Carlos Bongioanni/Stars and Stripes

House and Senate negotiators in both major parties said they would back a bill granting $658 billion to the Department of Defense and other defense programs, a measure that includes dozens of national security provisions prioritized by the armed services.

In a January, 2019 photo, recruits walk in formation wearing neck gaiters during a snowstorm at Recruit Training Command in Great Lakes, Ill.. <br>Spencer Fling/U.S. Navy
In a January, 2019 photo, recruits walk in formation wearing neck gaiters during a snowstorm at Recruit Training Command in Great Lakes, Ill.. <br>Spencer Fling/U.S. Navy

Navy uniform updates include neck gaiters, two-piece swimsuits for physical test

Sailors now have the option to wear a black neck gaiter during cold weather as well as a two-piece swim suit for the physical readiness test, among some of the uniform updates announced Monday by the Navy.

A U.S. flag that survived for nearly 15 years after it was hidden from insurgents in Iraq is displayed during a ceremony at Fort Bliss, Texas, Sept. 11, 2019. <br>Ahmed AlSaedi
A U.S. flag that survived for nearly 15 years after it was hidden from insurgents in Iraq is displayed during a ceremony at Fort Bliss, Texas, Sept. 11, 2019. <br>Ahmed AlSaedi

US flag, signed by soldiers and hidden in Iraq for 14 years, inspires message from Trump

Staff Sgt. Ahmed AlSaedi, 38, a member of the Army’s 155th Combat Sustainment Support Battalion in Los Angeles, got a reply from his commander in chief Nov. 14 after writing to tell him about the flag.

A joint artillery training session at a combat outpost in Jaghatu, in Wardak province, Afghanistan, on Sept. 10, 2012.<br>Lorenzo Tugnoli/ For The Washington Post
A joint artillery training session at a combat outpost in Jaghatu, in Wardak province, Afghanistan, on Sept. 10, 2012.<br>Lorenzo Tugnoli/ For The Washington Post

Documents reveal US officials failed to tell the truth about the war in Afghanistan

A confidential trove of government documents obtained by The Washington Post reveals that senior U.S. officials failed to tell the truth about the war in Afghanistan throughout the 18-year campaign, making rosy pronouncements they knew to be false and hiding unmistakable evidence the war had become unwinnable.


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Episode 23: Wrapping up, a look at key issues, and farewell

The Force for Hire team looks back at the series and examines some key issues about the world of private military contracting.

In this final episode of Force for Hire, we examine some major questions about the private military contracting world that we uncovered.

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This undated photo provided by the FBI shows Mohammed Alshamrani. The Saudi student opened fire inside a classroom at Naval Air Station Pensacola on Friday before one of the deputies killed him. Al-Shamrani, was at Naval Air Station Pensacola on one of more than 5,500 temporary visas issued to Saudi military personnel by the State Department in 2019, according to department data.<br>FBI/AP
This undated photo provided by the FBI shows Mohammed Alshamrani. The Saudi student opened fire inside a classroom at Naval Air Station Pensacola on Friday before one of the deputies killed him. Al-Shamrani, was at Naval Air Station Pensacola on one of more than 5,500 temporary visas issued to Saudi military personnel by the State Department in 2019, according to department data.<br>FBI/AP

Gunman's behavior changed after trip to native Saudi Arabia, friends say

Ahmed Mohammed al-Shamrani was described as "strange" and "angry" in the weeks leading up to Friday's shooting rampage, but schoolmates and other acquaintances said he showed no outward sign that he was preparing to open fire inside a classroom building where he had been training to become a military aviator.

Air Force Maj. Gen. Don Dunbar, right, leader of the Wisconsin National Guard, looks on as then-Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker talks to reporters in Milwaukee on Sept. 7, 2012.<br>Dinesh Ramde/AP
Air Force Maj. Gen. Don Dunbar, right, leader of the Wisconsin National Guard, looks on as then-Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker talks to reporters in Milwaukee on Sept. 7, 2012.<br>Dinesh Ramde/AP

Wisconsin Guard leader resigns in wake of sex assault review

The commander of the Wisconsin National Guard agreed to resign at Gov. Tony Evers’ request Monday following the release of a scathing federal report that found the Guard defied federal law, regulations and policies for years over the handling of soldiers’ sexual assault and harassment complaints.

"No Fly Zone" is seen on the townhall roof in Kin, Okinawa, Monday, Dec. 9, 2019.<br>Carlos Vazquez/Stars and Stripes
"No Fly Zone" is seen on the townhall roof in Kin, Okinawa, Monday, Dec. 9, 2019.<br>Carlos Vazquez/Stars and Stripes

‘No Fly Zone:’ Okinawa town’s rooftop warning aims to decrease US military aircraft noise

In vivid, yellow letters 5 feet high and 66 feet long, the words “No Fly Zone” appear on the rooftop of Kin Town Hall, a plea to U.S. military pilots to steer wide of the community below. The words are visible at night.

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A U.S. flag that survived for nearly 15 years after it was hidden from insurgents in Iraq is displayed during a ceremony at Fort Bliss, Texas, Sept. 11, 2019. <br>Ahmed AlSaedi

US flag, signed by soldiers and hidden in Iraq for 14 years, inspires message from Trump

Staff Sgt. Ahmed AlSaedi, 38, a member of the Army’s 155th Combat Sustainment Support Battalion in Los Angeles, got a reply from his commander in chief Nov. 14 after writing to tell him about the flag.

See more U.S. news
"No Fly Zone" is seen on the townhall roof in Kin, Okinawa, Monday, Dec. 9, 2019.<br>Carlos Vazquez/Stars and Stripes

‘No Fly Zone:’ Okinawa town’s rooftop warning aims to decrease US military aircraft noise

In vivid, yellow letters 5 feet high and 66 feet long, the words “No Fly Zone” appear on the rooftop of Kin Town Hall, a plea to U.S. military pilots to steer wide of the community below. The words are visible at night.

See more Pacific news
From left, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy, French President Emmanuel Macron and Russian President Vladimir Putin sit before a working session with German Chancellor Angela Merkel at the Elysee Palace Monday, Dec. 9, 2019, in Paris. Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukraine's president are meeting for the first time at a summit in Paris to find a way to end the five years of fighting in eastern Ukraine.<br>Thibault Camus/AP

Putin, new Ukrainian leader Zelenskiy meet for first time

Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy met for the first time Monday at a summit in Paris to try to end five years of war between Ukrainian troops and Russian-backed separatists.

See more Europe news
Former U.S. Vice President Dick Cheney reacts after his speech at the Arab Strategy Forum in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, Monday, Dec. 9, 2019. <br>Kamran Jebreili/AP

Cheney warns disengagement in Mideast benefits Iran and Russia

Former Vice President Dick Cheney's comments in Dubai cut to the core of several policies taken by President Donald Trump, including the sudden withdrawal of U.S. forces from Syria.

See more Middle East news
Gen. Stephen J. Townsend, commander of U.S. Africa Command (seen here at a Capitol Hill hearing in April, 2019) says he "isn't buying" that whoever shot down a U.S. drone over Libya last month, using a Russian air defense system, doesn't know where it is. Townsend said Monday, Dec. 9, 2019, the U.S. wants the drone back.<br>Carlos Bongioanni/Stars and Stripes

AFRICOM calls for return of drone downed by Russian weapon system over Libya

The U.S. wants back a drone that was shot down over Libya last month by a Russian air defense system believed to have been operated by mercenaries or militiamen, U.S. Africa Command said Monday.

See more Africa news

theaters
A U.S. flag that survived for nearly 15 years after it was hidden from insurgents in Iraq is displayed during a ceremony at Fort Bliss, Texas, Sept. 11, 2019. <br>Ahmed AlSaedi

US flag, signed by soldiers and hidden in Iraq for 14 years, inspires message from Trump

Staff Sgt. Ahmed AlSaedi, 38, a member of the Army’s 155th Combat Sustainment Support Battalion in Los Angeles, got a reply from his commander in chief Nov. 14 after writing to tell him about the flag.

See more U.S. news
"No Fly Zone" is seen on the townhall roof in Kin, Okinawa, Monday, Dec. 9, 2019.<br>Carlos Vazquez/Stars and Stripes

‘No Fly Zone:’ Okinawa town’s rooftop warning aims to decrease US military aircraft noise

In vivid, yellow letters 5 feet high and 66 feet long, the words “No Fly Zone” appear on the rooftop of Kin Town Hall, a plea to U.S. military pilots to steer wide of the community below. The words are visible at night.

See more Pacific news
From left, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy, French President Emmanuel Macron and Russian President Vladimir Putin sit before a working session with German Chancellor Angela Merkel at the Elysee Palace Monday, Dec. 9, 2019, in Paris. Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukraine's president are meeting for the first time at a summit in Paris to find a way to end the five years of fighting in eastern Ukraine.<br>Thibault Camus/AP

Putin, new Ukrainian leader Zelenskiy meet for first time

Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy met for the first time Monday at a summit in Paris to try to end five years of war between Ukrainian troops and Russian-backed separatists.

See more Europe news
Former U.S. Vice President Dick Cheney reacts after his speech at the Arab Strategy Forum in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, Monday, Dec. 9, 2019. <br>Kamran Jebreili/AP

Cheney warns disengagement in Mideast benefits Iran and Russia

Former Vice President Dick Cheney's comments in Dubai cut to the core of several policies taken by President Donald Trump, including the sudden withdrawal of U.S. forces from Syria.

See more Middle East news
Gen. Stephen J. Townsend, commander of U.S. Africa Command (seen here at a Capitol Hill hearing in April, 2019) says he "isn't buying" that whoever shot down a U.S. drone over Libya last month, using a Russian air defense system, doesn't know where it is. Townsend said Monday, Dec. 9, 2019, the U.S. wants the drone back.<br>Carlos Bongioanni/Stars and Stripes

AFRICOM calls for return of drone downed by Russian weapon system over Libya

The U.S. wants back a drone that was shot down over Libya last month by a Russian air defense system believed to have been operated by mercenaries or militiamen, U.S. Africa Command said Monday.

See more Africa news
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Nestor Portalatin, an Army veteran, sits outside Barracks of Hope, a Daytona Beach homeless shelter for veterans. Portalatin arrived at the shelter in October, but seeks to move into permanent housing soon.<br>Victoria Villanueva-Marquez/News-Journal
Nestor Portalatin, an Army veteran, sits outside Barracks of Hope, a Daytona Beach homeless shelter for veterans. Portalatin arrived at the shelter in October, but seeks to move into permanent housing soon.<br>Victoria Villanueva-Marquez/News-Journal

Daytona homeless shelter helps 29 veterans to permanent homes in first year

Daytona Beach's veterans-only homeless shelter is turning a year old and the 20-bed facility, in one of the city's troubled neighborhoods, continues to be a refuge for those who've served.

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"No Fly Zone" is seen on the townhall roof in Kin, Okinawa, Monday, Dec. 9, 2019.<br>Carlos Vazquez/Stars and Stripes
"No Fly Zone" is seen on the townhall roof in Kin, Okinawa, Monday, Dec. 9, 2019.<br>Carlos Vazquez/Stars and Stripes

‘No Fly Zone:’ Okinawa town’s rooftop warning aims to decrease US military aircraft noise

In vivid, yellow letters 5 feet high and 66 feet long, the words “No Fly Zone” appear on the rooftop of Kin Town Hall, a plea to U.S. military pilots to steer wide of the community below. The words are visible at night.

See more Marine Corps news
Air Force Maj. Gen. Don Dunbar, right, leader of the Wisconsin National Guard, looks on as then-Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker talks to reporters in Milwaukee on Sept. 7, 2012.<br>Dinesh Ramde/AP
Air Force Maj. Gen. Don Dunbar, right, leader of the Wisconsin National Guard, looks on as then-Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker talks to reporters in Milwaukee on Sept. 7, 2012.<br>Dinesh Ramde/AP

Wisconsin Guard leader resigns in wake of sex assault review

The commander of the Wisconsin National Guard agreed to resign at Gov. Tony Evers’ request Monday following the release of a scathing federal report that found the Guard defied federal law, regulations and policies for years over the handling of soldiers’ sexual assault and harassment complaints.

See more Air Force news
In this Sept. 23, 2011 photo, A Coast Guard 38-foot Special Purpose Craft Training Boat sits at the fuel pier in Women's Bay at Coast Guard Base Kodiak, Alaska. Nine people were hurt, including one critically, when a U.S. Coast Guard vessel collided with a U.S. Navy boat off Alaska's Kodiak Island. <br>Petty Officer 2nd Class Charly Hengen/U.S. Coast Guard
In this Sept. 23, 2011 photo, A Coast Guard 38-foot Special Purpose Craft Training Boat sits at the fuel pier in Women's Bay at Coast Guard Base Kodiak, Alaska. Nine people were hurt, including one critically, when a U.S. Coast Guard vessel collided with a U.S. Navy boat off Alaska's Kodiak Island. <br>Petty Officer 2nd Class Charly Hengen/U.S. Coast Guard

Coast Guard, Navy boats collide in Alaska; nine injured

Nine people were hurt, including one critically, when a U.S. Coast Guard vessel collided with a U.S. Navy boat off Alaska's Kodiak Island.

See more Coast Guard news
A U.S. flag that survived for nearly 15 years after it was hidden from insurgents in Iraq is displayed during a ceremony at Fort Bliss, Texas, Sept. 11, 2019. <br>Ahmed AlSaedi
A U.S. flag that survived for nearly 15 years after it was hidden from insurgents in Iraq is displayed during a ceremony at Fort Bliss, Texas, Sept. 11, 2019. <br>Ahmed AlSaedi

US flag, signed by soldiers and hidden in Iraq for 14 years, inspires message from Trump

Staff Sgt. Ahmed AlSaedi, 38, a member of the Army’s 155th Combat Sustainment Support Battalion in Los Angeles, got a reply from his commander in chief Nov. 14 after writing to tell him about the flag.

See more Army news
This undated photo provided by the FBI shows Mohammed Alshamrani. The Saudi student opened fire inside a classroom at Naval Air Station Pensacola on Friday before one of the deputies killed him. Al-Shamrani, was at Naval Air Station Pensacola on one of more than 5,500 temporary visas issued to Saudi military personnel by the State Department in 2019, according to department data.<br>FBI/AP
This undated photo provided by the FBI shows Mohammed Alshamrani. The Saudi student opened fire inside a classroom at Naval Air Station Pensacola on Friday before one of the deputies killed him. Al-Shamrani, was at Naval Air Station Pensacola on one of more than 5,500 temporary visas issued to Saudi military personnel by the State Department in 2019, according to department data.<br>FBI/AP

Gunman's behavior changed after trip to native Saudi Arabia, friends say

Ahmed Mohammed al-Shamrani was described as "strange" and "angry" in the weeks leading up to Friday's shooting rampage, but schoolmates and other acquaintances said he showed no outward sign that he was preparing to open fire inside a classroom building where he had been training to become a military aviator.

See more Navy news

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"No Fly Zone" is seen on the townhall roof in Kin, Okinawa, Monday, Dec. 9, 2019.<br>Carlos Vazquez/Stars and Stripes
"No Fly Zone" is seen on the townhall roof in Kin, Okinawa, Monday, Dec. 9, 2019.<br>Carlos Vazquez/Stars and Stripes

‘No Fly Zone:’ Okinawa town’s rooftop warning aims to decrease US military aircraft noise

In vivid, yellow letters 5 feet high and 66 feet long, the words “No Fly Zone” appear on the rooftop of Kin Town Hall, a plea to U.S. military pilots to steer wide of the community below. The words are visible at night.

See more Marine Corps news
Air Force Maj. Gen. Don Dunbar, right, leader of the Wisconsin National Guard, looks on as then-Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker talks to reporters in Milwaukee on Sept. 7, 2012.<br>Dinesh Ramde/AP
Air Force Maj. Gen. Don Dunbar, right, leader of the Wisconsin National Guard, looks on as then-Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker talks to reporters in Milwaukee on Sept. 7, 2012.<br>Dinesh Ramde/AP

Wisconsin Guard leader resigns in wake of sex assault review

The commander of the Wisconsin National Guard agreed to resign at Gov. Tony Evers’ request Monday following the release of a scathing federal report that found the Guard defied federal law, regulations and policies for years over the handling of soldiers’ sexual assault and harassment complaints.

See more Air Force news
In this Sept. 23, 2011 photo, A Coast Guard 38-foot Special Purpose Craft Training Boat sits at the fuel pier in Women's Bay at Coast Guard Base Kodiak, Alaska. Nine people were hurt, including one critically, when a U.S. Coast Guard vessel collided with a U.S. Navy boat off Alaska's Kodiak Island. <br>Petty Officer 2nd Class Charly Hengen/U.S. Coast Guard
In this Sept. 23, 2011 photo, A Coast Guard 38-foot Special Purpose Craft Training Boat sits at the fuel pier in Women's Bay at Coast Guard Base Kodiak, Alaska. Nine people were hurt, including one critically, when a U.S. Coast Guard vessel collided with a U.S. Navy boat off Alaska's Kodiak Island. <br>Petty Officer 2nd Class Charly Hengen/U.S. Coast Guard

Coast Guard, Navy boats collide in Alaska; nine injured

Nine people were hurt, including one critically, when a U.S. Coast Guard vessel collided with a U.S. Navy boat off Alaska's Kodiak Island.

See more Coast Guard news
A U.S. flag that survived for nearly 15 years after it was hidden from insurgents in Iraq is displayed during a ceremony at Fort Bliss, Texas, Sept. 11, 2019. <br>Ahmed AlSaedi
A U.S. flag that survived for nearly 15 years after it was hidden from insurgents in Iraq is displayed during a ceremony at Fort Bliss, Texas, Sept. 11, 2019. <br>Ahmed AlSaedi

US flag, signed by soldiers and hidden in Iraq for 14 years, inspires message from Trump

Staff Sgt. Ahmed AlSaedi, 38, a member of the Army’s 155th Combat Sustainment Support Battalion in Los Angeles, got a reply from his commander in chief Nov. 14 after writing to tell him about the flag.

See more Army news
This undated photo provided by the FBI shows Mohammed Alshamrani. The Saudi student opened fire inside a classroom at Naval Air Station Pensacola on Friday before one of the deputies killed him. Al-Shamrani, was at Naval Air Station Pensacola on one of more than 5,500 temporary visas issued to Saudi military personnel by the State Department in 2019, according to department data.<br>FBI/AP
This undated photo provided by the FBI shows Mohammed Alshamrani. The Saudi student opened fire inside a classroom at Naval Air Station Pensacola on Friday before one of the deputies killed him. Al-Shamrani, was at Naval Air Station Pensacola on one of more than 5,500 temporary visas issued to Saudi military personnel by the State Department in 2019, according to department data.<br>FBI/AP

Gunman's behavior changed after trip to native Saudi Arabia, friends say

Ahmed Mohammed al-Shamrani was described as "strange" and "angry" in the weeks leading up to Friday's shooting rampage, but schoolmates and other acquaintances said he showed no outward sign that he was preparing to open fire inside a classroom building where he had been training to become a military aviator.

See more Navy news
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In this Feb. 7, 2014 file photo Alexander Zubkov of Russia carries the national flag as he leads the team during the opening ceremony of the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi, Russia. at left is model Irina Shayk carrying the Russian placard. <br>Mark Humphrey/AP

World Anti-Doping Agency imposes four-year ban on Russia

Russian athletes will be allowed to compete in major events only if they are not implicated in positive doping tests or if their data was not manipulated, according to the ruling.

Sports
In this Feb. 7, 2014 file photo Alexander Zubkov of Russia carries the national flag as he leads the team during the opening ceremony of the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi, Russia. at left is model Irina Shayk carrying the Russian placard. <br>Mark Humphrey/AP

World Anti-Doping Agency imposes four-year ban on Russia

Russian athletes will be allowed to compete in major events only if they are not implicated in positive doping tests or if their data was not manipulated, according to the ruling.