Army suicides in May are most in nearly a year

Twenty-one active-duty soldiers are believed to have committed suicide in May, according to a statement released by the Army yesterday. That figure is the most since last June.

Obama talks drawdown with his top Afghan commander

Gen. David Petraeus has given the White House a range of options for starting a military withdrawal in Afghanistan by July. And although details are still not public, signs of troop cuts emerged Thursday, The Associated Press reports.

Mike Mullen Tells All to Letterman

Times sure do change. You can’t imagine LBJ sending Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General Earle Wheeler on Johnny Carson to explain Vietnam War policy, but here’s Admiral Mike Mullen chatting up David Letterman about the death of Osama bin Laden.

Pentagon helps defense companies fend off cyberattacks

WASHINGTON — The Pentagon has begun helping defense contractors protect their computer networks from cyberattacks, Deputy Defense Secretary William Lynn said this week.

Saudi women defy driving ban

(CNN) — Women put keys to ignitions Friday in Saudi Arabia to start up a roaring challenge to the conservative Islamic kingdom’s prohibition of female drivers.

White House Rejects War Powers Mandate

Senior White House officials are saying nothing about the lawsuit filed against President Obama Wednesday by members of Congress over the ongoing American involvement in a NATO operation to oust Libyan leader Moammar Gadhafi.

White House Defends Continuing U.S. Role in Libya Operation

WASHINGTON — The White House, pushing hard against criticism in Congress over the deepening air war in Libya, asserted Wednesday that President Obama had the authority to continue the military campaign without Congressional approval because American involvement fell short of full-blown hostilities.

Al-Zawahri succeeds bin Laden as al-Qaida leader

CAIRO (AP) — Osama bin Laden’s longtime deputy Ayman al-Zawahri, a fiery ideologue who is known for his deep hatred of the West and helped plan the 9/11 attacks, has taken control of al-Qaida after the death last month of the terror network’s founder in a U.S. raid.

Thousands Rally in Baghdad Against US Presence

Thousands of followers of Shiite cleric Moqtada al-Sadr staged a mass rally in Baghdad on Thursday against US forces, as Iraqi leaders consider asking for an extended American troop presence.

U.S. arms makers look overseas as domestic demand shrinks

As the U.S. government eyes cuts in military purchases, defense contractors’ sales overseas are likely to hit a record this year. The boom is drawing fire from arms-control advocates, who worry that weapons could end up in the wrong hands.

CIA planning drone strike campaign against al-Qaida in Yemen

The CIA is taking a cue from drone operations in Pakistan and is planning a similar program against al-Qaida militants in Yemen, the Los Angeles Times reported.

Low-key Marine, Gen. John R. Allen, to take over Afghan war at high-stakes time

Of all the members of President Obama’s new national security team, Lt. Gen. John R. Allen, tapped as the fourth commander in two years to run the war in Afghanistan, may have the toughest assignment.

Helicopter crew in Afghanistan braves persistent enemy fire to rescue wounded pilot, recover remains

MISAWA AIR BASE, Japan — For more than five hours during an April mission, Air Force helicopter rescue crews battled enemy insurgents in Afghanistan while attempting to recover two downed Army helicopter pilots.