Reverbiage: Stories from NPR tagged 'defense'

Gaza Conflict: 1 More Thing For Obama's To-Do List

Thu, 01 Jan 2009 08:05:00 EST

The conflict in Gaza presents a challenge for the incoming Obama administration, which already was facing a packed Middle East agenda. Leslie Gelb tells Steve Inskeep that the question now is whether the situation in Gaza will make it harder for President-elect Barack Obama to keep his campaign promises of active peacemaking between the Israelis and Palestinians. Gelb is a former state and defense department official and president emeritus of the Council on Foreign Relations.

A Reluctant Servant, Gates To Stay On At Defense

Fri, 19 Dec 2008 00:01:00 EST

Robert Gates was ready to say farewell to the Pentagon when President-elect Obama asked him to stay on. The once-controversial spymaster has reinvented himself as a consensus builder. He's not the Gates people recall from a generation ago.

Examining Potential Legal Strategy For Blagojevich

Thu, 11 Dec 2008 06:00:00 EST

Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich has denied any wrongdoing, and his legal team is presumably already at work preparing a defense against the corruption charges. What might the legal strategy look like? Criminal defense lawyer Stanley Brand talks with Steve Inskeep about potential defense strategies in the case.

High Court Hears Appeal From Tenn. Killer

Tue, 09 Dec 2008 16:39:00 EST

The Supreme Court has heard arguments in the case of a man convicted of murder in Tennessee. Gary Cone wants to reopen the conviction or at least the sentence of death because the prosecution allegedly hid evidence that supported his defense.

Killer's Case Before Supreme Court For A Third Time

Tue, 09 Dec 2008 06:00:00 EST

The Supreme Court hears arguments Tuesday in the case of a man convicted of murder in Tennessee. He wants to reopen the conviction or at least the sentence of death, because persecutors allegedly hid evidence that supported his defense. State courts have said he doesn't have the right to present those arguments.

Automakers' National Security Claims Questioned

Thu, 04 Dec 2008 21:11:00 EST

In making their case for a $34 billion government bailout, the Big Three automakers have warned Congress that allowing them to go bankrupt would hobble the nation's economy. They also say it would be devastating to national security — an argument many defense experts say is dubious.

Obama To Nominate Hillary Clinton, Keep Gates

Mon, 01 Dec 2008 11:11:00 EST

President-elect Obama made public Monday what has long been expected: He will nominate Sen. Hillary Clinton to be his secretary of state. Clinton will be part of a new national security team that includes other familiar faces. Robert Gates, the current secretary of defense, would stay at the Pentagon. For national security adviser, Obama has chosen retired Marine Gen. James Jones, a former NATO commander and commandant of the Marine Corps.

Obama To Name National Security Team

Mon, 01 Dec 2008 08:49:00 EST

President-elect Obama is expected Monday to announce that Sen. Hillary Clinton, his Democratic primary rival, will be his secretary of state and Robert Gates will stay on as defense secretary.

Obama Set To Announce Defense Team

Sun, 30 Nov 2008 16:00:00 EST

Karen DeYoung of The Washington Post talks to Andrea Seabrook about Monday's expected announcement of President-elect Obama's defense team, and the likely nomination of Sen. Hillary Clinton for secretary of state.

Gates To Continue As Obama's Defense Secretary

Tue, 25 Nov 2008 19:40:00 EST

President-elect Barack Obama will keep Defense Secretary Robert Gates in that job for up to a year, NPR sources and news organizations say. Gates, who has been President Bush's defense secretary for two years, is respected by both parties.

Arrests Disrupts Funeral in Wilmington, N.C.

Thu, 20 Nov 2008 06:00:00 EST

Authorities in North Carolina apologized for the bad timing of a bust. They wanted to arrest a man. And they found him at his father's funeral. The Star-News of Wilmington, N.C., reports the suspect was helpling to load the coffin into a hearse, when two cops grabbed him. They put a knee in his back. And they tasered him, as his fellow pallbearers tried to steady the coffin. Police admit they could've waited until after the service. In their defense, they were respectful enough to wear coats and ties.

College Presidents Run Defense For Bowl System

Wed, 19 Nov 2008 00:02:00 EST

Lots of college football fans, including President-elect Barack Obama, have said they'd like to see the sport's complex bowl championship system replaced with a playoff. That's not likely. The Bowl Championship Series has plenty of influential advocates, including college presidents.

Australia's Navy All But Shuts Down In December

Tue, 18 Nov 2008 05:57:00 EST

Most of the sailors in Australia's navy have been ordered ashore for two months leave starting next month. They've been ordered to take that long — paid — holiday leave because Australia's navy has been left with too few hands on deck, as would-be sailors find other jobs. Skeleton crews will provide security during the holiday break. Australia's defense minister says the navy hopes to increase recruitment by becoming something no navy has ever been: family friendly.

FSU Defensive Back Rolle Balances Sports, Books

Fri, 14 Nov 2008 16:42:00 EST

Florida State defensive back Myron Rolle is a finalist for a Rhodes Scholarship this year and had the unusual choice of either playing in a big game in College Park, Md., or the chance to study at Oxford University. He talks about balancing sports and academics.

Fort Dix Trial May Be Tied To Informant's Story

Fri, 14 Nov 2008 12:00:00 EST

The trial of five men accused of plotting to attack the Fort Dix Army base in New Jersey may hinge on the testimony of a government informant: Mahmoud Omar, an Egyptian national with a checkered past. But defense attorneys say there was no conspiracy, except for the one Omar tried to create.

Can Obama Make Good On Promises About Wars...

Fri, 07 Nov 2008 16:50:00 EST

The president-elect made bold promises on the campaign trail: to end the war in Iraq and refocus the war in Afghanistan. Whomever he taps as Defense secretary will have to make military and diplomatic decisions abroad that might not match expectations at home.

When Workers Comp Gets Complicated

Thu, 30 Oct 2008 13:00:00 EDT

The Texas Supreme Court may take the unusual step of reconsidering one of its decisions. It involves a workers' compensation case. The resolution of the case has enraged the plaintiff's lawyers, defense lawyers, Republicans and Democrats.

Defense Rests In Sen. Stevens' Trial

Mon, 20 Oct 2008 16:37:00 EDT

The jury has heard the cases of federal prosecutors and defense attorneys in the corruption trial of Sen. Ted Stevens of Alaska. The Republican is charged with seven counts of failing to report a quarter of a million dollars in gifts and services provided by an oil industry executive and other friends.

Sen. Ted Stevens Takes The Stand

Sat, 18 Oct 2008 08:00:00 EDT

Senator Ted Stevens testified in his own defense at his corruption trial in Washington Friday. The Alaska senator hotly denied he had accepted gifts, including home renovations, and then didn't report them on his Senate financial disclosure forms.

Stevens Testifies At Trial

Fri, 17 Oct 2008 16:41:00 EDT

Alaska Sen. Ted Stevens has testified in his own defense at his corruption trial in Washington. He denied he knew of any free renovations being done on his home. He said he had arranged a loan to pay for the renovations and intended to pay for everything.

Obama's Links To Ex-Radical Examined

Mon, 06 Oct 2008 16:44:00 EDT

The Barack Obama campaign finds itself back on the defensive over questions about his relationship with Bill Ayers, a 1960s-era radical.

Trial Begins For Men Accused In Fort Dix 'Pizza Plot'

Mon, 29 Sep 2008 17:50:00 EDT

The trial of five men accused of a terrorist plot to infiltrate the Fort Dix Army base as pizza guys begins Monday. The defense says the men were merely filmed clowning around at a shooting range. Prosecutors say they were intent on killing soldiers.

Obama's Campaign Rallies In Va., N.C.

Sun, 28 Sep 2008 08:00:00 EDT

After Friday's debate, the Obama campaign headed south of the Mason Dixon line to states that have long been Republican. The Obama campaign aims to put McCain on the defensive about the economy. (Don Gonyea)

New President May Impact Missile System Priority

Fri, 26 Sep 2008 12:31:00 EDT

High-energy airborne lasers, multiple kill vehicles and advanced interceptors may be part of the future of the U.S. missile defense system. But debate over funding for the development of such technologies may be curtailed in the new administration.

Sea-Based Missile Defense System Shows Promise

Wed, 24 Sep 2008 13:39:00 EDT

The sea-based component of the U.S. missile-defense system has proved effective at targeting and destroying ballistic missiles. The Navy is deploying this system on more of its cruisers and destroyers worldwide.