Rowan Scarborough
Articles by Rowan Scarborough
Army’s ‘chilling trend’ puts women at risk
The Army is pushing more women closer to the front lines and in closer contact with men even as the number of sexual attacks on female soldiers has surged during the past six years. Published April 1, 2012
Afghan Local Police key to success against Taliban
A small, little-noticed counterinsurgency force that was created in the ninth year of the Afghanistan War is proving to be the key for U.S. troops to leave the country in victory. Published March 29, 2012
Budget gridlock imperils national defense
Defense analysts and Capitol Hill insiders are anticipating that automatic federal budget cuts will occur Jan. 1 and force the armed forces to scrap plans for new weapons systems. Published March 25, 2012
Troops stressed to breaking point
A recent Army health report draws an alarming profile of a fighting force more prone to inexcusable violence amid an "epidemic" of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), the mental breakdown attracting speculation as a factor in a massacre of Afghan civilians this month. Published March 20, 2012
Same-sex benefits a powder keg in Pentagon
The Obama administration is withholding medical and other benefits from same-sex spouses of military members, but Attorney General Eric H. Holder Jr. says he can no longer defend the law that authorizes the practice. Published March 18, 2012
Plotting against Iranian nuke sites
The first indication that Israel has resorted to military action against Iran's nuclear program would be explosions across the Islamic republic. Published March 14, 2012
Culture clash, bribes prod Afghans to turn on NATO
The post-Koran-burning slayings in Afghanistan have put focus on one of the most pressing questions facing U.S. commanders: Why do Afghan troops suddenly turn their weapons on NATO personnel and kill them? Published March 8, 2012
Al Qaeda in Iraq mounts comeback
Al Qaeda in Iraq, the Osama bin Laden-inspired terrorist group that sank the country into sectarian violence five years ago, is trying to make a comeback in post-U.S.-occupied Iraq, analysts and intelligence officials say. Published March 4, 2012
Gay Marine’s kiss sparks praise, anger
Marine Corps Sgt. Brandon Morgan's passionate kiss with his boyfriend at an on-base military-family homecoming was photographed and posted on the "Gay Marine" Facebook page, triggering an outpouring of support — and some dissent. Published March 1, 2012
‘Act of Valor’ accomplishes mission of educating public
The Hollywood movie "Act of Valor" — the nation's No. 1 box-office attraction, starring real Navy SEALs — has put the spotlight on the U.S. military's post-Sept. 11, 2001, love affair with the media. Published February 26, 2012
Navy aviator’s career soars; pilot he downed suffers
When retired Air Force pilot Mike Ross learned this month that the Navy aviator who shot him down is on a nomination list for the rank of admiral, he had a visceral reaction. Published February 23, 2012
Military gay group growing, aiming for more rights
An association of gays in the military has more than doubled its membership since last year, is setting up more on-base chapters, and plans to hold its next national conference at a Defense Department resort at Walt Disney World. Published February 20, 2012
Admiral nominee rose through ranks despite ‘illogical act’
When Lt. j.g. Timothy W. Dorsey intentionally fired his fighter jet's missile at an Air Force reconnaissance plane, nearly killing its two aviators and destroying the aircraft during a training exercise, it was hard to imagine then how his Navy career would wind up 25 years later. Published February 16, 2012
Navy: 3 new ships to be named after war heroes
Navy Secretary Ray Mabus, criticized by Congress and veterans for some of his untraditional ship-namings, took the old-school route on Wednesday by naming three destroyers after war heroes. Published February 15, 2012
Naming of Navy ships returns to tradition
Navy Secretary Ray Mabus, under fire from Congress and veterans for naming ships after fellow Democrats and social activists, plans to announce another round of ship names in the near future that will be more traditional, a Pentagon official tells The Washington Times. Published February 14, 2012
Replacement of war-worn equipment cut in budget
The Pentagon is not just cutting manpower to reach deficit-reduction targets: Its 2013 budget, released Monday, shows the military will spend less to replace old weapons after two grueling wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. Published February 13, 2012
Pentagon budget cuts weapons, troops in 2013
The Pentagon is not cutting just manpower to reach deficit-reduction targets: Its 2013 budget released Monday shows the military will spend less on new weapons after two grueling wars. Published February 13, 2012
Pentagon to move women closer to front lines
The Pentagon announced Thursday that it is keeping its longtime ban on women serving as infantry, armor and special operations warriors in ground combat units, but it will open 14,000 support positions for them in units closer to the front lines. Published February 9, 2012
General: ‘Use drones to kill’ the Taliban in Pakistan
A longtime adviser to U.S. commanders in Afghanistan says now is the time for President Obama to change strategy and target Taliban leaders ensconced in Pakistan. Published February 8, 2012
Fleets fade away with Pentagon budget cuts
America's aging tactical Air Force — the jets that protect ground troops and strike hard-to-reach targets — is shrinking just as the Pentagon is cutting even more planes to achieve nearly a half-trillion dollars in spending cuts. Published February 5, 2012
