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


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

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


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


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


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


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


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

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


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


“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.


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


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

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


But has Trump really thought out what comes next?


This could cause problems for Trump.


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


But he’s still no champion of the alliance.

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


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


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


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

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


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


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

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


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


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


Who’s a good dog?

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

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

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


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

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.


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


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


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


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


Yes it’s hilarious, but it’s no joke.


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


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