Rowan Scarborough

Special forces wary of ‘don’t ask, don’t tell’ repeal

Special-operations troops think the elite force is facing difficulties by accepting open gays into one of the military's more politically conservative communities. Published December 27, 2010

Gay troops advised to wait before coming out

Advocates are advising military gays to stay in the closet for now, as the Pentagon begins months of scene-setting to make sure removing the ban does not hurt combat readiness. Published December 20, 2010

Pakistani forces ‘hamper’ U.S. Embassy

Pakistan's military and intelligence service took the extraordinary action of going to war against the U.S. Embassy in Islamabad this year, harassing employees, sabotaging contracts and denying the purchase of protective gear. Published December 12, 2010

Outlook glum for ‘porous’ Pakistan border

The State Department has stated in a cable from Peshawar, Pakistan, that it is skeptical about eventually winning the military struggle in Pakistan's badlands, saying peace talks go nowhere and murderous militants control key towns. Published December 5, 2010

Front-line fighters wary of repealing ‘don’t ask’

U.S. combat forces have voiced strong reservations about the effects on readiness of allowing open gays in the ranks, the Pentagon said Tuesday in a report that is likely to influence a Senate vote on whether to repeal the "don't ask, don't tell" policy. Published November 30, 2010

WikiLeaks cables show U.S. government trying to make world safer

State Department cables reveal that, despite its public silence, the U.S. government is aggressively working behind the scenes to make the world safer. Published November 29, 2010

Under Panetta, morale up at CIA

CIA Director Leon E. Panetta, after nearly two years in office, has emerged as a fierce protector of the agency's people and its role in capturing or killing terrorists under an administration that shuns the words "war" and "Islamic terrorist." Published November 17, 2010

New top Marine backs gay ban

President Obama's first appointment to the Joint Chiefs of Staff is continuing, rather than settling, the divisive debate among the nation's top military officers on gays in the military. Published November 10, 2010

Military advocates don’t want judges making Pentagon rules

Pro-military advocates are warning against the dangers of letting federal district court judges start making significant Pentagon policy, saying it would essentially turn the military over to a network of political appointees who could be swayed by various pressure groups. Published October 27, 2010

Obama may opt for new military advisers

President Obama, who has clashed with the military top brass over war and gays, will soon have a chance to reshape the Joint Chiefs of Staff as he faces contentious decisions next year on withdrawing troops from Afghanistan and on ending some weapons systems. Published October 18, 2010

Payoff seen in Afghan surge

The U.S. military is starting to see signs that the troop surge in Afghanistan is working on a timetable similar to the Iraq reinforcement campaign in 2007, according to an outside adviser and military sources. Published October 11, 2010

GOP lawmakers say troop cap in Afghanistan invites attacks

Republican lawmakers say the White House's firm cap on the now-completed troop surge in Afghanistan is leaving forces more vulnerable to Taliban attacks. Published October 3, 2010

General denies equating gays, blacks in military

An Army general playing a prominent role in readying the military for open gays in the ranks has equated those who resist the plan to racists who opposed racial integration after World War II, according to two service members and a civilian who heard his remarks. Published September 26, 2010