Mark Esper | The North State Journal - Part 2

April 16, 2026

US on track to pull troops from Afghanistan despite turmoil

May 19, 2020 Robert Burns, Associated Press

WASHINGTON, D.C. — The United States is on track to meet its commitment to the Taliban to withdraw several thousand troops from Afghanistan by summer, even as violence flares, the peace process is stalled, and […]

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Tony Tata tapped to take over Pentagon post

April 24, 2020 North State Journal Staff

RALEIGH – A retired general who served in two high-profile posts in North Carolina was chosen by President Donald Trump to a high-ranking position within the Pentagon. Tony Tata, who served as Wake County Schools […]

Officials: US strikes Iran-backed group that hit Iraq base

March 12, 2020 Lolita C. Baldor, Associated Press

WASHINGTON, D.C. — The U.S. launched airstrikes Thursday in Iraq, American officials said, targeting the Iranian-backed Shia militia members believed responsible for the rocket attack that killed and wounded American and British troops at a […]

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US commander paints murky picture of US-Taliban peace accord

March 11, 2020 Lolita C. Baldour and Robert Burns, Associated Press

WASHINGTON, D.C. — The top U.S. commander for the Middle East painted a murky picture of the peace process with the Taliban in Afghanistan, saying the current level of violence is higher than allowed in […]

US begins troop withdrawal from Afghanistan, official says

March 9, 2020 Lolita Baldor, Associated Press

WASHINGTON — American troops have begun leaving Afghanistan for the initial troop withdrawal required in the U.S.-Taliban peace agreement, a U.S. official said on Monday, amid political chaos in Kabul that threatens the deal. Hundreds […]

US, Taliban sign deal aimed at ending war in Afghanistan

February 29, 2020 Matthew Lee and Kathy Gannon, Associated Press

DOHA, Qatar — Acknowledging a military stalemate after nearly two decades of conflict, the United States on Saturday signed a peace agreement with the Taliban that is aimed at ending America’s longest war and bringing […]

Mark Esper - DOD

Trump nominates Esper to be defense chief, succeeding Mattis

July 17, 2019 Robert Burns | The Associated Press

WASHINGTON, D.C. — President Donald Trump on Monday asked the Senate to confirm Mark Esper as the successor to former Defense Secretary Jim Mattis, whose resignation last December opened an unprecedented period of senior-level instability […]

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