Rowan Scarborough
Articles by Rowan Scarborough
EXCLUSIVE: Lack of translators hurts U.S. war on terror
U.S. national security agencies remain woefully short of foreign-language speakers and translators nearly eight years after the Sept. 11 attacks resulted in a war on an enemy that often communicates in relatively obscure dialects, current and former officials say. Published August 31, 2009
EXCLUSIVE: General mulls more fighters in Afghanistan
Afghanistan's top U.S. military commander is examining whether some support personnel could be replaced by combat forces to increase America's war fighting capacity without requesting a major addition of new troops. Published August 14, 2009
ANALYSIS: Gates’ budget cuts sour conservatives
Some conservatives who welcomed President Obama's decision to keep Robert M. Gates as defense secretary are already having second thoughts. Published May 11, 2009
Defense chief proposes weapons cuts
Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates said Monday he plans to cut the F-22 fighter jet and other big-weapon systems as part of a "fundamental shift" in how the Pentagon buys weapons and fights wars, including the one in Afghanistan. Published April 6, 2009
Rehabilitation never tried at Gitmo
The Pentagon never instituted an anti-extremism rehabilitation program for terror suspects at Guantanamo Bay, even as it released hundreds of detainees to their home countries and saw scores go back to practicing terrorism. Published February 19, 2009
ANALYSIS: Timing of Israeli invasion limited Obama’s options
Israel invaded the Gaza Strip in a bid to destroy archenemy Hamas before President-elect Barack Obama takes office Tuesday, preventing the new president from negotiating with a militant group that would no longer exist, Middle East analysts say. Published January 19, 2009
Obama eyes cuts in expensive weapons systems
President-elect Barack Obama's transition officials are in early talks about making significant cuts in some high-priced weapon systems, seeking savings to offset budget deficits and help pay for arms sought for conflicts in places like Afghanistan and Iraq. Published December 11, 2008
Obama transition eyes cuts in expensive arms systems
President-elect Barack Obama's transition officials are in early talks about making significant cuts in some high-priced weapon systems, seeking savings to offset budget deficits and help pay for arms sought for conflicts in places like Afghanistan and Iraq. Published December 10, 2008
Obama to delay ‘don’t ask, don’t tell’ repeal
President-elect Barack Obama will not move for months, and perhaps not until 2010, to ask Congress to end the military's decades-old ban on open homosexuals in the ranks, two people who have advised the Obama transition team on this issue say. Published November 21, 2008
Obama may delay lifting ban on openly gay soldiers
President-elect Barack Obama will not move for months, and perhaps not until 2010, to ask Congress to end the military's decades-old ban on open homosexuals in the ranks, two people who have advised the Obama transition team on this issue say. Published November 20, 2008
Doubts mount on Afghan surge
While U.S. commanders and both presidential candidates are pressing the Pentagon to send more troops to Afghanistan, several military and Afghanistan analysts say a surge there could worsen the problems of the country. Published July 29, 2008
Army search under way for enhanced body armor
The Army has begun a search for the next generation of bulletproof body armor. Published July 28, 2008
Iraq’s security ‘remarkably better’
The nation's top military officer Wednesday declared the security situation in Iraq so good that he expects to recommend more U.S. troop reductions this fall if conditions hold. Published July 17, 2008
Deal lets U.S. drones strike bin Laden
EXCLUSIVE -- The U.S. has an agreement with Pakistan that CIA-operated Predator drones may strike Osama bin Laden's hide-out without prior permission from Islamabad. Published July 2, 2008
Russian flights smack of Cold War
Russian bombers have stepped up provocative flight exercises off the Alaskan coast, reminiscent of Cold War incursions designed to rattle U.S. air defenses. Published June 26, 2008
Pentagon Notebook: McPeak calls McCain too fat
Turns out the most senior retired general to back Sen. Barack Obama crossed paths with Sen. John McCain during their active-duty years. Published June 26, 2008
Hadley keeps peace during search for harmony
Stephen J. Hadley took on his biggest job in a long government career a few months after the Sept. 11 attacks. Published June 22, 2008
New president will inherit Bush’s military leaders
Moves by Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates in the past year to abruptly end the careers of four top officers will leave the next president with some of the same senior military leaders who advised President Bush on the Iraq war. Published June 19, 2008
Air Force firings followed budget battle
Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates' decapitation of the Air Force leadership came months after a heated debate pitting Mr. Gates and his staff against Air Force generals over spending priorities, knowledgeable sources have revealed. Published June 15, 2008
Suicide recruits dropping in Iraq
The United States is seeing a sharp drop in the number of foreigners entering Iraq to become al Qaeda suicide bombers, according to intelligence and Bush administration sources. Published June 11, 2008
