Rowan Scarborough
Articles by Rowan Scarborough
Military defends prosecution of SEALs
The U.S. military is issuing an extensive defense of its decision to prosecute three Navy SEALs on charges of abusing a terrorism suspect they had captured in Iraq, after two of the servicemen were found not guilty during courts-martial. Published May 3, 2010
Military cancels nuclear attack test
The U.S. military has canceled a major field exercise that tests its response to a nuclear attack, angering some officials who say that what is now planned for this month will be a waste of time. Published April 26, 2010
Karzai’s rants for half-brother not against Obama
When Afghanistan President Hamid Karzai lashed out at the United States and NATO earlier this month, the conventional wisdom said he had been taken to the woodshed by President Obama — and didn't like it. But current and former U.S. officials say Mr. Karzai's anger at the West is driven more by a series of events having more to do with his brother. Published April 19, 2010
Democrats want anti-Bush loyalist for GAO director
Congressional Democrats are pushing for the appointment of a party loyalist and frequent critic of President George W. Bush to a powerful government watchdog post that historically has gone to nonpartisan nominees. Published April 13, 2010
Women in submarines face health issues
A specialist on undersea medicine is warning Congress that the air inside a submarine can be hazardous to fetal development. Published April 5, 2010
Case against 3 SEALs weakens
Cracks are beginning to appear in the military's prosecution of three Navy SEALs accused of striking a most-wanted terrorism suspect they had captured in Iraq. Published March 29, 2010
Gates alters rules for investigating gay troops
Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates on Thursday took steps to soften the military's ban on openly gay service members while retaining the law's core restriction that avowed homosexuals face discharge. Published March 26, 2010
Health-vote ally Nelson to get new VA hospital for Nebraska
The Obama administration has delivered another budget plum to Democratic Sen. Ben Nelson and the state of Nebraska, adding more than a half-billion dollars for a new veterans hospital in Omaha. Published March 18, 2010
E-mails suggested Fort Hood suspect subpar for Army
Maj. Nidal Malik Hasan, charged in the Fort Hood shootings, was too fat and "chronically" unprofessional during his psychiatric training, according to internal e-mails exchanged by his superiors. Published March 16, 2010
Group wants same military benefits for gay spouses
A leading gay rights group says married gay service members should have the same rights as straight couples once President Obama ends the military's ban on open homosexuality in the ranks. Published March 8, 2010
Breaking ranks on gays in military
Conservative groups have begun to mobilize to stop President Obama plan's to open the military to acknowledged gays, as some prominent right-leaning Washington figures are breaking with the movement and siding with the White House. Published March 1, 2010
Military chiefs resist push to end gay ban
The four U.S. military service chiefs are bucking higher-ups by refusing at this point to endorse removing the ban on open gays in the ranks. Published February 25, 2010
NATO neglect lets Taliban build 35% more strength
The Taliban has reaped a recruiting bonanza the past two years, capitalizing on NATO's stagnant posture in southern Afghanistan by increasing fighter ranks by 35 percent, U.S. officials say. Published February 22, 2010
Military chiefs’ views crucial in gay ban row
The military service chiefs will soon present their views to Congress marking the next stage in the debate on gays in the military amid signs they will not be as effusive in endorsing an end to "don't ask, don't tell" as has Adm. Mike Mullen, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. Published February 16, 2010
Veteran groups resist ‘don’t ask’ repeal
The nation's two most prominent veterans groups have come out in opposition to President Obama's plan to end the military's long-standing ban on open homosexuals in the ranks. Published February 4, 2010
Tough fight set for gays in military
President Obama's pledge to lift the military's ban on openly gay service members this year seems at best headed for extremely close votes in the House and Senate, according to Congress watchers. Published February 1, 2010
Support swells for 3 accused SEALs
When a small team of Navy SEALs set out to capture one of Iraq's most-wanted terrorists in September, they never dreamed it would go so smoothly. Published January 22, 2010
EXCLUSIVE: Marine leads ‘Don’t ask, don’t tell’ fight
Marine Corps Commandant Gen. James T. Conway has emerged in internal Pentagon deliberations as the most outspoken opponent of permitting gay men and women to serve openly in the U.S. military, according to a former senior Pentagon official. Published November 2, 2009
Obama adviser Jones shifted Afghanistan views — a lot
National security adviser James L. Jones - the president's point man in a momentous debate on U.S. policy in Afghanistan - has repeatedly shifted his assessments of the war as he transformed himself from a top Marine general to a civilian adviser in recent years. Published October 16, 2009
EXCLUSIVE: Taliban makes IEDs deadlier
The Taliban has been building simpler, cheaper anti-personnel bombs made of hard-to-detect nonmetal components, increasing the number of lethal attacks on NATO forces in Afghanistan, according to a confidential military report. Published September 15, 2009
