Follow us

© 2020 JNS, All Rights Reserved Concept, design & development by RGB Media. Powered by Salamandra

Mark Esper

U.S. soldiers on the way back to Kandahar Army Air Field on Sept. 4, 2003. The soldiers were searching for Taliban fighters and illegal weapons caches. Photo: Staff Sgt. Kyle Davis/U.S. Army.

Pentagon announces troop withdrawals in Afghanistan, Iraq by Jan. 15

The drawdown of forces comes despite objections from Republicans on Capitol Hill.

Nov. 17, 2020

The Pentagon. Credit: David B. Gleason/Flickr.

Report: US military expects troop drawdowns in Iraq, Afghanistan

The expected withdrawals come in the aftermath of shakeups at the Pentagon in which U.S. Defense Secretary Mark Esper was fired and replaced with Christopher Miller.

Nov. 16, 2020

U.S. Secretary of Defense Mark Esper delivers remarks at the Department of Homeland Security Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency’s 2nd annual national cybersecurity summit, National Harbor, Maryland, Sept. 19, 2019. Credit: Lisa Ferdinando/U.S. Department of Defense.

Following months of friction, Trump fires US Defense Secretary Mark Esper

The ouster was seen by many as inevitable due to policy differences between him and the president.

Nov. 9, 2020

U.S. Secretary of Defense Mark Esper and Israeli Defense Minister Benny Gantz sign an agreement that Gantz said will “ensure the quality edge of the Israeli defense establishment and the IDF in the coming decades.” Credit: Israeli Ministry of Defense.

Israeli and American defense establishments agree on accelerated defense deliveries

While a battle over the narrative continues between Defense Minister Benny Gantz and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu about how Israel gave its blessing to the sale of F-35s to the UAE, the Jewish state moves forward with the procurement of advanced military equipment.

Yaakov Lappin

Oct. 26, 2020

Israeli F-35I Adir jets fly in formation. Photo by 1st Lt. Erik D. Anthony/U.S. Air Force.

In shift, Netanyahu approves US sale of F-35s to UAE

The move by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu comes after America reaffirmed its commitment to Israel’s Qualitative Military Edge and promises to upgrade its military capability.

Oct. 23, 2020

U.S. President Donald Trump welcomes Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi on April 3, 2017, at the West Wing entrance of the White House in Washington, D.C. Credit: Official White House Photo by Shealah Craighead.

Jerusalem, Washington to discuss cutbacks to Sinai peacekeeping force

U.S. Secretary of Defense Mark Esper reportedly wants to pull some American troops from the U.S.-led peacekeeping force • Israeli Energy Minister Yuval Steinitz: “Certainly, the issue will be raised between us and the Americans.”

May 10, 2020

The Pentagon. Credit: David B. Gleason/Flickr.

US strikes five Iranian-backed weapons storage facilities after attack on US soldiers in Iraq

“The United States will not tolerate attacks against our people, our interests, or our allies,” said U.S. Secretary of Defense Mark Esper.

March 12, 2020

U.S. Secretary of Defense Mark Esper delivers a speech during the Air Force Association Air, Space and Cyber Conference in National Harbor, Md., Sept. 18, 2019. Credit: Wayne Clark/U.S. Air Force.

Trump approves possible Pentagon response after attack on US soldiers in Iraq

“I’m not going to take any option off the table right now, but we are focused on the group—groups that we believe perpetrated this in Iraq,” said U.S. Defense Secretary Mark Esper.

March 12, 2020

U.S. Secretary of Defense Mark Esper. Credit: Staff Sgt. Brandy N. Mejia/U.S. Army.

US Secretary of Defense: Military to respond to Iranian attack on Saudi oil facility

“The United States military, with our interagency team, is working with our partners to address this unprecedented attack and defend the international rules-based order that is being undermined by Iran,” tweeted U.S. Secretary of Defense Mark Esper.

Sept. 16, 2019