Rowan Scarborough
Articles by Rowan Scarborough
Ex-SEAL who wrote book on bin Laden gets written off by cadre
While top military leaders publicly bash a former Navy SEAL for his book about the raid that killed Osama bin Laden, his foxhole comrades convey their displeasure in a more subtle way. Published September 6, 2012
U.S. seeks more scrutiny to stop Afghan insider attacks
The U.S. military command in Afghanistan is hoping that intrusive scrutiny of applicants for the country's security forces will curb a streak of insider attacks that have killed a dozen U.S. service members last month alone. Published September 2, 2012
Military leaders urgently push for new counterterrorism software
A U.S. military command has sent an urgent request to the Pentagon to fund counterterrorism intelligence computer software for special operations troops globally, including the Palantir analytical system. Published August 27, 2012
GOP plank decries ‘social experimentation’ in military
Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney does not bring up President Obama's social revolution inside the armed forces, but the GOP platform does. Published August 26, 2012
Unit’s fight for better anti-IED software won after heavy casualties
Months before the Army's ill-fated 5th Stryker Brigade was to leave Washington state in the summer of 2009 for the war in Afghanistan, its commander became convinced that he needed a particular type of equipment to counter cunning bomb-makers. Published August 19, 2012
General reassures Marines after Afghan attacks
The Marine Corps' top officer is trying to soothe the rattled nerves of his troops in Afghanistan, who saw six of their comrades gunned down by Afghan security forces Friday. Published August 15, 2012
Confidential memo: Army intelligence software has ‘poor reliability’
The Army's intelligence processing software that was developed to help soldiers in Afghanistan understand the enemy and predict future actions suffers from "poor reliability" and is "not survivable" against cyber attacks, the service's top tester said in a confidential memo to the Army chief of staff. Published August 7, 2012
Army’s vehicles not tough enough for bombs
The July 8 roadside explosion that killed six Army soldiers in Afghanistan has analysts worried that the Taliban are turning to bigger homemade bombs to take down the best armored U.S. vehicles. Published August 5, 2012
House panel to probe Army’s IED software report
The House Oversight and Government Reform Committee announced Wednesday it has opened an investigation into why the Army destroyed a test report that favored an off-the-shelf software program that troops say has helped them find deadly explosives in Afghanistan. Published August 1, 2012
Army may train women for rigor of front lines
To graduate from boot camp, soldiers must perform 35 pushups and 47 situps and run two miles in at least 16 minutes and 36 seconds — but that's only for male soldiers. Published July 30, 2012
Army campaigns to defend current detector of bombs
The Army has started a behind-the-scenes campaign to defend its homegrown battlefield intelligence system against critics in the field and in Congress. Published July 29, 2012
Russia seeks sea power with decrepit fleet
Russia's boast that it plans to extend its naval forces to bases in Cuba, the Seychelles and Vietnam poses little strategic threat to U.S. interests in Latin America, the Indian Ocean or the Pacific, analysts say. Published July 29, 2012
Probe sought of military software scandal
A member of the House Armed Services Committee is calling for a congressional investigation into the Army's handling of a software program the Pentagon opposes but U.S. combat troops in Afghanistan say saves their lives by detecting roadside bombs. Published July 25, 2012
Soldier battling bombs irked by software switch
The Army ordered the destruction of a report that praised the performance of an off-the-shelf software program that finds buried explosives in Afghanistan and replaced it with a revised less-favorable assessment, according to internal Pentagon documents. Published July 22, 2012
Military has to fight to purchase lauded IED buster
U.S. commanders increasingly are turning to a relatively obscure battlefield detective to find buried bombs, a major killer of Americans in Afghanistan. Published July 16, 2012
Navy admiral hints at jettisoning F-35 fighter
The chief of naval operations has penned an opinion column that has military analysts buzzing over whether it signals the Navy may be the first military branch to jettison the costly F-35 stealth fighter jet. Published July 10, 2012
Army looks for global partnerships
To maintain its relevance in a post-Afghanistan world, the U.S. Army is learning to make new friends. Published July 2, 2012
Pentagon holds first gay pride event
The Pentagon on Tuesday saluted open gays in the ranks, with a civilian lawyer calling on fellow homosexuals to "stretch a little" and become more visible inside the military in the drive for benefits for same-sex couples. Published June 26, 2012
Panetta not ordering gay pride events
Defense Secretary Leon E. Panetta is not requiring commands and agencies to hold gay pride events this month, even as the Pentagon prepares for its first celebration on Tuesday of gays serving openly in the ranks. Published June 24, 2012
Congress won’t let Panetta close bases
Congress is poised to deliver a defeat to the Obama administration on one of its main defense policies in the new budget — base closings. Published June 20, 2012