Dan Crenshaw Linked to Smear Campaign of Female Vet by VA Head: Watchdog
The 68-page report from the V.A. Office of Inspector General stated that three witnesses said VA Sec. Robert Wilkie informed them that Rep. Dan Crenshaw (R-Texas) gave him information about the female veteran that could erode her credibility.
Biden's Dilemma: Military or Civilian Control of the Department of Defense?
No one in the array of voices Newsweek heard from challenged Lloyd Austin's record but worried if President Donald Trump's choice to seek a waiver for James Mattis set a precedent threatening civilian-military separation.
Iranian Scientist's Killing Part of Dangerous Game for Supremacy in Mideast
Israeli and Iranian officials vowed to Newsweek they would defend their country after the brazen assassination of a top nuclear scientist of the Islamic Republic, while experts linked the killing to a broader power play among competing Middle East rivals.
Ex-VA Official Says Refusal to Discredit Vet over Sex Assault Led to Firing
Former Deputy Secretary of Veterans Affairs James Byrne claims he lost his job because he didn't back an attempt by his boss, Robert Wilkie, to discredit a Navy veteran whose sexual assault allegations he felt were a political plot against him.
Will Trump Tie Biden's Hands with Troop Withdrawals from Afghanistan, Iraq?
"It is absolutely the right thing to do and is grounded on clear fundamental military realities, and is going to help the country," Daniel L. Davis, a retired Army lieutenant colonel and military expert, told Newsweek
Trump Administration Officials Face Tough Time Finding New Jobs
"They're going to turn over some rocks, and they're going to find some genuine criminal misconduct," one former senior Trump administration official told Newsweek.
If Trump Refuses to Leave White House, Secret Service Will Escort Him Out
"The Secret Service would escort him off, they would treat him like any old man who'd wandered on the property," one former official involved in the transition process between former President Barack Obama and Trump told Newsweek.
Pentagon Denies Esper to Quit As U.S. Election Votes Still Being Counted
Esper is second only to commander-in-chief President Donald Trump himself when it comes to authority over the U.S. armed forces, even while election votes are counted.
Democratic Lawmaker Teams Up with Taylor Swift to Spur Young Voter Turnout
"I've always considered myself the unofficial chairman of the Congressional Swifty Caucus," Swalwell told Newsweek. Swift allowed her popular song 'Only the Young' to overlay this pro-Biden campaign video.
DoD to Counsel Republican Improperly Using Military Uniform in Campaign Ads
Republican Rep. Doug Collins, who is challenging incumbent GOP Sen. Kelly Loeffler in Georgia, violated DoD policy at least two dozen times last week alone by using images of himself donning his Air Force uniform in campaign ads posted to social media.
Republican Breaking DoD Rules on Military Uniforms in Ads Riles Vets
In the past five days, Republican Senate candidate Doug Collins, a Georgia congressman, has violated Defense Department policy at least two dozen times by improperly using photos of himself in uniform for campaign ads.
US-China Geopolitical Battle for Asia Shapes New Power Dynamic for Region
"The urgency with which Australia and I think India and Japan have committed themselves to strengthening the Quad is significant," Hervé Lemahieu told Newsweek, "and that's because the threat perception of China has been embraced."
Trump Will Not 'Change American Policy' to Free US Captives in Syria
Two days after Newsweek reported that Syria asked for sanctions relief and troop withdrawal from the Al-Tanf garrison, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said the U.S. would "compartmentalize" working to recover Austin Tice and Majd Kamalmaz from regional policy.
Exclusive: Syria Wants Sanctions Relief, Troop Exit for Help on US Captives
Lebanese General Security director Major General Abbas Ibrahim brought to Washington a list of demands for Damascus including sanctions relief and closing Al-Tanf garrison in exchange for help on returning Austin Tice and Majd Kamalmaz, Newsweek has learned.
Veterans: Trump Suggesting Gold Star Families Gave Him COVID 'Disgusting
"It's just the latest incident of Trump abdicating his responsibilities and shifting the blame to others," Purple Heart-recipient Alan Pitts told Newsweek. "It's extremely sad and embarrassing."
U.S. Military 'Ready to Fight' Even As Joint Chiefs Quarantined, Trump Sick
"There is no change to the operational readiness or mission capability of the U.S. Armed Forces," Pentagon spokesperson Jonathan Hoffman said in a statement sent to Newsweek.
Veteran Groups Question Trump's Commitment to End Wars, Support for Troops
"We've been at war for two decades. No one mentioned finding an end to those wars," Army veteran and CEO of Diesel Jack Media/Ranger Up, told Newsweek.
U.S. Military, Spies, Allies Fight Fake News Online with Wit and Humor
"I know there is some risk to my style of humor, but who wants Army leaders who are risk averse?" Lieutenant General Theodore D. Martin, deputy commander of the Army Training and Doctrine and Command, told Newsweek.
As U.S.-China Cyber Cold War Rages, Intellectual Property Is A Costly Front
"The theft of intellectual property by the People's Republic of China costs America as much as $500 billion a year," U.S. counterintelligence chief William Evanina told Newsweek.
U.S. Troops in Syria Stuck in 'Forgotten War' for Oil as Russia Advances
"It's a clusterf**k in Syria," one senior U.S. intelligence official told Newsweek. "We don't have a strategy."
U.S. Intercepts Russian Military Planes After Spotting Sub Near Alaska
Neither the six Russian maritime patrol aircraft nor the Russian submarine entered Alaskan territory, according to the U.S. military.
China Poses Unprecedented Security Risk to US Far Beyond Elections
"There is no country that presents a broader and more comprehensive threat to our ideas, innovation, and economic security than China," the FBI told Newsweek, calling the country "the FBI's top counterintelligence priority."
Possible U.S. F-35 Sale to UAE Tests Tensions Over Israel, Iran and Yemen
"We have legitimate requests that are there," UAE State Minister for Foreign Affairs Anwar Gargash said Thursday. "We ought to get them."
Russia May Use Belarus Unrest to Boost Security Against West, Officials Say
"I mean the stars are aligned. The best timing to inject 'order' is when a society is in chaos, especially given the power vacuum," a senior U.S. intelligence official told Newsweek.
Seattle, Portland Protests Show Generational Tensions in Black Lives Matter
"National leadership, frankly, has been caught napping, and so there are other leaders, other organizations who have risen up and who are speaking out," Roland Martin told Newsweek.
Report Ignites Insider Fears of How Trump Wields Homeland Security Power
"Trump has demonstrated his propensity to weaponize DHS in furtherance of his political ends, which concerns me if the election results do not produce a clear winner," one senior law enforcement official told Newsweek.
Explosion Tears Through Lebanon's Capital, Where Residents Fear War
"I'm really scared this is the start of something much worse," one Beirut resident told Newsweek.
Gallego Says Germany Troop Exit 'Dangerous,' Aims to Block Trump From More
"I have had conversations with European defense ministers and ambassadors regarding this troop movement," Representative Ruben Gallego told Newsweek. "They are worried that it will lessen deterrence against Russia."
Officials Condemn Trump's Agents in Portland:'It's the Ultimate Powder Keg'
Current and former law enforcement officials told Newsweek that the Trump administration is using elite paramilitary border units in lieu of U.S. troops to confront protests in Portland.
Vindman Approved for Promotion But Retired Before Possible Partisan Battle
A Pentagon spokesperson confirmed to Newsweek that Defense Secretary Mark Esper ultimately approved Vindman's selection for promotion Monday.