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Defense & Security

Vox’s hub for news, analysis, and opinions on defense and national security.

Defense & Security
Trump has apparently wanted to kill Soleimani for quite a while — since as far back as 2017Trump has apparently wanted to kill Soleimani for quite a while — since as far back as 2017
Defense & Security

Two new reports show Trump’s “imminent” attack claim may not be the whole story.

By Alex Ward
9 questions about the US-Iran crisis you were too embarrassed to ask
World Politics

Why did the US kill Qassem Soleimani? Why do the US and Iran hate each other?

By Alex Ward and Zack Beauchamp
Explainers
Trump’s team insists Soleimani was an “imminent” threat. Just don’t ask for details.Trump’s team insists Soleimani was an “imminent” threat. Just don’t ask for details.
Explainers

“They really need to get their story straight,” an expert said.

By Alex Ward
World Politics
Did impeachment weigh on Trump’s Soleimani decision? Maybe.Did impeachment weigh on Trump’s Soleimani decision? Maybe.
World Politics

Trump reportedly spoke to associates about feeling pressure from Republican lawmakers ahead of his Senate impeachment trial.

By Alex Ward
World Politics
The US killed Soleimani. What will Iran do next?The US killed Soleimani. What will Iran do next?
World Politics

Militia attacks? Cyberattacks? An attack on a high-level US official? Maybe.

By Alex Ward
World Politics
Evidence is mounting that Iran accidentally shot down the Ukraine flightEvidence is mounting that Iran accidentally shot down the Ukraine flight
World Politics

If true, this significantly raises the death toll in the US-Iran conflict.

By Alex Ward
World Politics
“Probably the worst briefing I’ve seen”: Inside the disastrous congressional Iran meeting“Probably the worst briefing I’ve seen”: Inside the disastrous congressional Iran meeting
World Politics

At one point, the CIA director told lawmakers to read an intelligence report instead of just briefing them.

By Alex Ward
The case for killing Qassem Soleimani
World Politics

Why Trump’s decision to target the Iranian military commander was the right call, explained by an expert.

By Alex Ward
Defense & Security
Trump’s Iran speech seemed like a victory lap. It actually made things worse.Trump’s Iran speech seemed like a victory lap. It actually made things worse.
Defense & Security

This was not the Iran “victory” speech Trump needed to give.

By Alex Ward
Politics
Trump: No war with Iran — at least for nowTrump: No war with Iran — at least for now
Politics

“Iran appears to be standing down, which is a good thing for all parties concerned and a very good thing for the world,” the president said.

By Alex Ward
World Politics
Iran attacks 2 US military targets in Iraq: What we know so farIran attacks 2 US military targets in Iraq: What we know so far
World Politics

This was in retaliation for the US killing Qassem Soleimani. Trump said “All is well!” and no casualties have been reported so far.

By Alex Ward
Defense & Security
The neoconservative fantasy at the center of the Soleimani killingThe neoconservative fantasy at the center of the Soleimani killing
Defense & Security

No, Mike Pompeo, killing the military leader won’t give Iranians more freedom.

By Alex Ward
“A nasty, brutal fight”: what a US-Iran war would look like
World Politics

The bottom line: It’d be hell on earth.

By Alex Ward
World Politics
Killing Qassem Soleimani changes the game in the Middle EastKilling Qassem Soleimani changes the game in the Middle East
World Politics

But has Trump really thought out what comes next?

By Daniel Byman
Defense & Security
Pentagon halts operational training for Saudi military students after Pensacola shootingPentagon halts operational training for Saudi military students after Pensacola shooting
Defense & Security

This could cause problems for Trump.

By Alex Ward
World Politics
Trump once suggested all of Seoul’s 10 million residents move to avoid North Korean threatTrump once suggested all of Seoul’s 10 million residents move to avoid North Korean threat
World Politics

A new book details this stunning moment from early in Trump’s presidency.

By Alex Ward
Politics
Trump thinks NATO is good now — after French President Macron criticized itTrump thinks NATO is good now — after French President Macron criticized it
Politics

But he’s still no champion of the alliance.

By Alex Ward
Trump’s Iran whisperer
World Politics

He’s Trump’s guy on Iran, and he’s remaking the State Department in the president’s image.

By Alex Ward
Defense & Security
“A terrible idea”: Experts blast Trump’s plan to label Mexican drug cartels “terrorists”“A terrible idea”: Experts blast Trump’s plan to label Mexican drug cartels “terrorists”
Defense & Security

It would increase fears of a US military intervention in Mexico.

By Alex Ward
Explainers
The controversy over Navy Secretary Richard Spencer’s ouster, explainedThe controversy over Navy Secretary Richard Spencer’s ouster, explained
Explainers

Trump, the Pentagon, and Spencer himself are offering different stories.

By Alex Ward
Politics
Trump and the Navy are on a collision courseTrump and the Navy are on a collision course
Politics

Trump’s meddling in a war-crimes case may lead top Navy officials to resign.

By Alex Ward
Accelerationism: the obscure idea inspiring white supremacist killers around the world
Politics

A bizarre academic philosophy has transfixed the fringe. The goal? To collapse the government itself.

By Zack Beauchamp
Politics
Trump’s Iran envoy reassigned a staffer after right-wing media accused her of disloyaltyTrump’s Iran envoy reassigned a staffer after right-wing media accused her of disloyalty
Politics

The State Department’s inspector general recommends disciplinary action against Brian Hook.

By Alex Ward
Politics
Trump: We should keep Syria’s oil. The Pentagon: Nope.Trump: We should keep Syria’s oil. The Pentagon: Nope.
Politics

“The revenue from this is not going to the US. This is going to the SDF,” the top Pentagon spokesperson said.

By Alex Ward
Why James Mattis couldn’t contain Trump
Politics

A former top Mattis aide explains the chaos inside Trump’s Pentagon.

By Alex Ward
Politics
Trump will reportedly name Chad Wolf as the new acting Homeland Security secretaryTrump will reportedly name Chad Wolf as the new acting Homeland Security secretary
Politics

He served as former DHS Secretary Kirstjen Nielsen’s chief of staff while she carried out the separations of immigrant families.

By Nicole Narea
Politics
The White House’s top Ukraine official confirms there was a quid pro quoThe White House’s top Ukraine official confirms there was a quid pro quo
Politics

Tim Morrison tried not to make the president look bad. He failed.

By Alex Ward
World Politics
Here’s the US military dog that helped take down ISIS leader BaghdadiHere’s the US military dog that helped take down ISIS leader Baghdadi
World Politics

Who’s a good dog?

By Alex Ward
“Jackpot”: Inside the US military raid to kill ISIS leader Baghdadi
Defense & Security

It was always going to be a complicated operation, but the US military — and a dog — pulled it off.

By Alex Ward
Trump’s Baghdadi press conference shows how he ruins even his best moments
Defense & Security

Trump could’ve just given his Baghdadi remarks and walked away. He didn’t — and made a mess.

By Alex Ward
What Baghdadi’s death means for ISIS
World Politics

Michael Leiter, who led the National Counterterrorism Center during the Osama bin Laden raid, offers his thoughts on the Baghdadi operation.

By Alex Ward
World Politics
The US is “committed” to staying in Syria — to protect oilThe US is “committed” to staying in Syria — to protect oil
World Politics

Trump wanted to end “endless wars” in the Middle East. He may have just started another.

By Alex Ward
How the Pittsburgh shooting changed American Jews
The Highlight

My Jewish wedding was the day of the Tree of Life killings. On the first anniversary, a reflection of what’s happened to our community — both our pain and our strength.

By Zack Beauchamp
Politics
House Republicans’ national security-threatening impeachment stunt, explained by an expertHouse Republicans’ national security-threatening impeachment stunt, explained by an expert
Politics

The House sergeant at arms even had to make an appearance.

By Alex Ward
World Politics
The past 24 hours in Syria news, explainedThe past 24 hours in Syria news, explained
World Politics

US troops leave for Iraq. Trump rejects a plan to keep some service members in northern Syria. And he gets accused of encouraging genocide.

By Alex Ward
Syria
State Department talking points counter Trump’s optimistic message on SyriaState Department talking points counter Trump’s optimistic message on Syria
Syria

“Turkey does not appear to be mitigating the humanitarian impact of its invasion and occupation of some parts of northeast Syria,” one part reads.

By Alex Ward
World Politics
The Syrian ceasefire the US brokered is already falling apartThe Syrian ceasefire the US brokered is already falling apart
World Politics

“Trump has managed to bungle this policy challenge in the worst of all ways,” said one former Pentagon official.

By Alex Ward
North Korea
The serious message behind Kim Jong Un’s silly horse photosThe serious message behind Kim Jong Un’s silly horse photos
North Korea

Yes it’s hilarious, but it’s no joke.

By Alex Ward
World Politics
“Don’t be a tough guy. Don’t be a fool!”: Read Trump’s wild letter to Turkey’s Erdogan“Don’t be a tough guy. Don’t be a fool!”: Read Trump’s wild letter to Turkey’s Erdogan
World Politics

This is one of the most astonishing letters in diplomatic history.

By Alex Ward
World Politics
Trump told 6 falsehoods about Syria in 4 minutesTrump told 6 falsehoods about Syria in 4 minutes
World Politics

Here’s a fact-check of the president’s wild and outrageous Syria comments.

By Alex Ward