Rowan Scarborough
Articles by Rowan Scarborough
Pentagon downplays ending of ‘don’t ask, don’t tell’
The United States formally ends a decades-old ban on open gays in the ranks on Tuesday, a historic day that the military services hope will pass as routinely as roll calls, marching and lights-out. Published September 19, 2011
Lehman rocks Navy with complaints about political correctness
The Navy's former top civilian has rocked the service in a military journal article by accusing officials of sinking the storied naval air branch into a sea of political correctness. Published September 18, 2011
Republicans seek a ceiling on defense cuts
Republicans on Capitol Hill are floating the idea of a ceiling for defense cuts mandated by the deficit-reduction supercommittee that would not exceed $150 billion over 10 years. Published September 14, 2011
Methodical approach slows start of Mohammed trial
The military officer overseeing the prosecution of Khalid Sheik Mohammed is taking a go-slow approach that would bring the confessed Sept. 11 mastermind to trial months, or perhaps years, from now. Published September 9, 2011
9/11 changed war-fighting
The Sept. 11 attacks jolted the U.S. armed forces into a new era of war-fighting in which commando strikes, intelligence collection and manhunts often overshadowed heavy armor and big bombers of yesteryear's conflicts. Published September 8, 2011
After winning key right, gays press for more from military
With the official end of the U.S. military's ban two weeks away, gay-rights activists are pressing the Pentagon for more than just the right to serve openly. Published September 5, 2011
Pentagon ponders budget cuts in face of ‘perfect storm’
The Pentagon is considering a range of options to meet a bipartisan call to greatly reduce defense spending in what is a "perfect storm" rocking the military's once-sturdy budget plans. Published August 31, 2011
Pentagon mulls ways to make major cuts
The Pentagon is considering a range of options to meet a bipartisan call to greatly reduce defense spending in what is a "perfect storm" rocking the military's once-plump budget plans. Published August 26, 2011
Chinook helicopter most susceptible to Taliban ground fire
The Army Chinook helicopter, like the one shot down Aug. 6 in Afghanistan killing all 38 onboard, is the U.S. chopper most susceptible to Taliban ground fire, according to statistics compiled by a former aviator. Published August 25, 2011
SEALs were sent to stop fleeing Taliban
The top NATO commander in Afghanistan said Wednesday that the doomed Navy SEALs mission that claimed 30 American lives was intended to stop fleeing Taliban fighters and not necessarily a rescue mission as first reported. Published August 10, 2011
Commandos criticize call for SEALs
Some in the special operations community are privately criticizing the wisdom of Saturday's failed rescue mission in Afghanistan, saying commanders should have sent more than the one Chinook helicopter that was shot down, killing 30 American troops, including 23 elite Navy SEALs. Published August 9, 2011
Recruiters pressed to reach out to gays once ban is lifted
An underground gay group in the military wants recruiters to reach out to the gay community in the same way they target blacks, Hispanics and women. Published July 28, 2011
‘Arab Spring’ dreams dying amid violence
The hopes for democracy that bloomed in the "Arab Spring" are drying up in a long, hot summer of crackdowns, civil war and continuing protests. Published July 25, 2011
Liberals see opportunity for big cuts in defense
The political left is pressing the White House and Congress to inflict a wave of Pentagon budget cuts not seen since the post-Cold War 1990s. Published July 18, 2011
Pakistan hesitates to eradicate U.S.-mapped militant camps
The U.S. has compiled a wide body of intelligence on the locations of militant training camps in Pakistan, but has been unable to persuade Islamabad to shut them down, current and former officials say. Published July 11, 2011
Afghan pullout seen as too much, too soon
Former battlefield commanders are warning that President Obama's accelerated troop withdrawal from Afghanistan in time for the 2012 presidential election risks reversing major gains made against the Taliban. Published July 5, 2011
Gates’ tenure successful, contradictory
Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates leaves office Thursday popular with the liberal Washington establishment, but not so with conservatives chafed by his budget cutting and his enthusiastic support for open gays in the ranks. Published June 26, 2011
Panetta to carry political baggage to the Pentagon
Defense Secretary-designate Leon E. Panetta faces an early test when he takes office July 1, as the White House pushes for deeper cuts in defense spending and congressional Republicans say no way. Published June 22, 2011
USDA gay-sensitivity training seeks larger audience
U.S. Department of Agriculture activists want to impose their intense brand of homosexual sensitivity training government-wide, including a discussion that compares "heterosexism" — believing marriage can only can be between one man and one woman — to racism. Published June 17, 2011
Rumbles on Hill as Gadhafi hangs on
Libyan dictator Moammar Gadhafi's tenacious hold on power forced NATO on Wednesday to extend its mission to protect civilians and caused consternation on Capitol Hill over U.S. involvement in the North African conflict. Published June 1, 2011
