A misplaced or unaccounted-for weapon is a major security risk, Guard members said.National Guard stand their posts around the Capitol at sunrise. | Carolyn Kaster/AP PhotoThe Army has dispatched its in-house criminal investigative arm to probe the potential theft of a rifle from the D.C. National Guard while the unit was training in Virginia three weeks ago, an Army spokesperson confirmed on Thursday.The M4 rifle and its scope went missing around March 11, according to two people familiar with the investigation, as members of a quick reaction force that was formed to protect the U.S....…A misplaced or unaccounted-for weapon is a major security risk, Guard members said.National Guard stand their posts around the Capitol at sunrise. | Carolyn Kaster/AP PhotoThe Army has dispatched its in-house criminal investigative arm to probe the potential theft of a rifle from the D.C. National Guard while the unit was training in Virginia three weeks ago, an Army spokesperson confirmed on Thursday.The M4 rifle and its scope went missing around March 11, according to two people familiar with the investigation, as members of a quick reaction force that was formed to protect the U.S....WW…

But the Pentagon chief said New Delhi has not yet acquired the S-400.Indian Defense Minister Rajnath Singh and U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin sit to deliver a joint press statement in New Delhi, India, on Saturday. | Manish Swarup/AP PhotoNEW DELHI — Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin hinted during a visit to New Delhi on Saturday that India’s planned purchase of an advanced Russian missile system could trigger U.S. sanctions, but left room for New Delhi to back away from the deal.“We certainly urge all our allies and partners to move away from Russian equipment … and really avoid any kind...…But the Pentagon chief said New Delhi has not yet acquired the S-400.Indian Defense Minister Rajnath Singh and U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin sit to deliver a joint press statement in New Delhi, India, on Saturday. | Manish Swarup/AP PhotoNEW DELHI — Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin hinted during a visit to New Delhi on Saturday that India’s planned purchase of an advanced Russian missile system could trigger U.S. sanctions, but left room for New Delhi to back away from the deal.“We certainly urge all our allies and partners to move away from Russian equipment … and really avoid any kind...WW…

A U.S. defense official said the attack was launched by a Shia militia group.The departures hall at the Irbil International Airport in Iraq, pictured in September 2017. | AP Photo/Bram JanssenBAGHDAD — Officials now say three 107 mm rockets struck an Iraqi airbase in Irbil where U.S. forces are based late Monday, killing one non-U.S. civilian contractor and injuring a U.S. service member and others, Iraqi security and coalition officials reported.President Joe Biden was briefed Monday night on the attack, which sparked fears of new hostilities in the region, according to a White House...…A U.S. defense official said the attack was launched by a Shia militia group.The departures hall at the Irbil International Airport in Iraq, pictured in September 2017. | AP Photo/Bram JanssenBAGHDAD — Officials now say three 107 mm rockets struck an Iraqi airbase in Irbil where U.S. forces are based late Monday, killing one non-U.S. civilian contractor and injuring a U.S. service member and others, Iraqi security and coalition officials reported.President Joe Biden was briefed Monday night on the attack, which sparked fears of new hostilities in the region, according to a White House...WW…

The Pentagon’s top spokesperson said the vaccine plan was part of the Defense Department’s original rollout.The main gate at the prison in Guantanamo at the US Guantanamo Naval Base in Guantanamo Base, Cuba. | Sylvie Lanteaume/AFP/Getty ImagesThe Pentagon on Tuesday said the Trump administration set in motion the now-reversed decision to vaccinate 40 prisoners at Guantanamo Bay, after the plan initiated a sharp backlash as coronavirus vaccine doses remain scarce across the country.John Kirby, the Pentagon’s top spokesperson, said the vaccine plan was part of the Defense Department’s...…The Pentagon’s top spokesperson said the vaccine plan was part of the Defense Department’s original rollout.The main gate at the prison in Guantanamo at the US Guantanamo Naval Base in Guantanamo Base, Cuba. | Sylvie Lanteaume/AFP/Getty ImagesThe Pentagon on Tuesday said the Trump administration set in motion the now-reversed decision to vaccinate 40 prisoners at Guantanamo Bay, after the plan initiated a sharp backlash as coronavirus vaccine doses remain scarce across the country.John Kirby, the Pentagon’s top spokesperson, said the vaccine plan was part of the Defense Department’s...WW…

The Trump administration booted several members of the advisory boards after losing the election and installed political operatives and loyalists in their place.Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin visits National Guard troops deployed at the U.S. Capitol and its perimeter in Washington. | AP Photo/Manuel Balce CenetaDefense Secretary Lloyd Austin has removed members of the Pentagon’s advisory boards in a sweeping effort to oust a series of last-minute appointees by the Trump administration, according to defense officials and a memo obtained by POLITICO.In the memo dated Saturday, Austin fired...…The Trump administration booted several members of the advisory boards after losing the election and installed political operatives and loyalists in their place.Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin visits National Guard troops deployed at the U.S. Capitol and its perimeter in Washington. | AP Photo/Manuel Balce CenetaDefense Secretary Lloyd Austin has removed members of the Pentagon’s advisory boards in a sweeping effort to oust a series of last-minute appointees by the Trump administration, according to defense officials and a memo obtained by POLITICO.In the memo dated Saturday, Austin fired...WW…

The move effectively prevents a number of Trump allies, including Corey Lewandowski and David Bossie, from actually serving on panels.From left, David Bossie and Corey Lewandowski were still undergoing a lengthy financial disclosure and security clearance process that normally takes weeks or months, according to the people familiar. | Jacquelyn Martin/AP PhotoThe Pentagon has suspended the processing of a number of former President Donald Trump’s last-minute appointees to defense advisory boards as the new administration looks to weed out loyalists to the former president.The move...…The move effectively prevents a number of Trump allies, including Corey Lewandowski and David Bossie, from actually serving on panels.From left, David Bossie and Corey Lewandowski were still undergoing a lengthy financial disclosure and security clearance process that normally takes weeks or months, according to the people familiar. | Jacquelyn Martin/AP PhotoThe Pentagon has suspended the processing of a number of former President Donald Trump’s last-minute appointees to defense advisory boards as the new administration looks to weed out loyalists to the former president.The move...WW…

The move effectively prevents a number of Trump allies, including Corey Lewandowski and David Bossie, from actually serving on panels.From left, David Bossie and Corey Lewandowski were still undergoing a lengthy financial disclosure and security clearance process that normally takes weeks or months, according to the people familiar. | Jacquelyn Martin/AP PhotoThe Pentagon has suspended the processing of a number of former President Donald Trump’s last-minute appointees to defense advisory boards as the new administration looks to weed out loyalists to the former president.The move...…The move effectively prevents a number of Trump allies, including Corey Lewandowski and David Bossie, from actually serving on panels.From left, David Bossie and Corey Lewandowski were still undergoing a lengthy financial disclosure and security clearance process that normally takes weeks or months, according to the people familiar. | Jacquelyn Martin/AP PhotoThe Pentagon has suspended the processing of a number of former President Donald Trump’s last-minute appointees to defense advisory boards as the new administration looks to weed out loyalists to the former president.The move...WW…

Guardsmen were later let back into facilities after an outcry from lawmakers.Some National Guardsmen sleep on the ground of a parking garage near the U.S. Capitol on Thursday. | POLITICOThousands of National Guardsmen were allowed back into the Capitol Thursday night, hours after U.S. Capitol Police officials ordered them to vacate the facilities, sending them outdoors or to nearby parking garages after two weeks pulling security duty after the deadly riot on Jan. 6.One unit, which had been resting in the Dirksen Senate Office building, was abruptly told to vacate the facility on Thursday,...…Guardsmen were later let back into facilities after an outcry from lawmakers.Some National Guardsmen sleep on the ground of a parking garage near the U.S. Capitol on Thursday. | POLITICOThousands of National Guardsmen were allowed back into the Capitol Thursday night, hours after U.S. Capitol Police officials ordered them to vacate the facilities, sending them outdoors or to nearby parking garages after two weeks pulling security duty after the deadly riot on Jan. 6.One unit, which had been resting in the Dirksen Senate Office building, was abruptly told to vacate the facility on Thursday,...WW…

Conversations with seven former and current officials reveal that they have been tainted by their time working for Trump.Elizabeth Neumann, a former civil servant, said she did not directly face challenges in finding a new job after she resigned in April because she had spoke out against Donald Trump’s policies. | Jacquelyn Martin/ AP PhotoThey have been snubbed by potential employers, told they would be a “liability” and in one instance were even compared to the “Hitler Youth.”This is the job market many experienced national security officials who work for President Donald Trump are facing...…Conversations with seven former and current officials reveal that they have been tainted by their time working for Trump.Elizabeth Neumann, a former civil servant, said she did not directly face challenges in finding a new job after she resigned in April because she had spoke out against Donald Trump’s policies. | Jacquelyn Martin/ AP PhotoThey have been snubbed by potential employers, told they would be a “liability” and in one instance were even compared to the “Hitler Youth.”This is the job market many experienced national security officials who work for President Donald Trump are facing...WW…

Gen. Mark Milley, the Joint Chiefs chair, met with leaders for the first time at the Pentagon on Tuesday.Joint Chiefs of Staff Chair Gen. Mark Milley participates in a news briefing at the Pentagon. | Alex Wong/Getty ImagesThe White House has approved a recommendation by the nation’s top military officer that the administration intensify cooperation with the ad hoc groups that have been working to evacuate American citizens and at-risk Afghans from the country, a White House and two State Department officials told POLITICO.On Tuesday at the Pentagon, Joint Chiefs Chair Gen. Mark Milley met...…Gen. Mark Milley, the Joint Chiefs chair, met with leaders for the first time at the Pentagon on Tuesday.Joint Chiefs of Staff Chair Gen. Mark Milley participates in a news briefing at the Pentagon. | Alex Wong/Getty ImagesThe White House has approved a recommendation by the nation’s top military officer that the administration intensify cooperation with the ad hoc groups that have been working to evacuate American citizens and at-risk Afghans from the country, a White House and two State Department officials told POLITICO.On Tuesday at the Pentagon, Joint Chiefs Chair Gen. Mark Milley met...WW…