W. J. Hennigan

U.S. faces an Uphill Effort in Helping Build an Iraqi Force That can Retake Mosul
Friday, April 22, 2016 - 06:05
The troubles at this training base reflect broader difficulties in building an Iraqi ground force capable of pushing entrenched Islamic State fighters out of Mosul, the militants' self-declared capital in Iraq, a priority for the White House and Iraqi Prime Minister Haider Abadi's government.
Pentagon to Try Again at Training Syrian Rebels
Friday, March 18, 2016 - 06:13
President Obama has authorized a limited new plan to train and arm rebel fighters to confront Islamic State militants in Syria, relaunching a Pentagon program that was suspended last fall after a series of embarrassing setbacks.
Fall of U.S.-Backed Syrian Group Casts Doubt on Plan to Arm Moderates
Wednesday, March 11, 2015 - 06:46
Repeatedly, weapons and other goods meant for a U.S. proxy force in Syria are ending up in the hands of Al Nusra militants, but that it doesn't stop the Obama administration from doubling down on its strategy: The Pentagon has unveiled a new plan to vet and train about 15,000 Syrians rebels — dubbed moderates by U.S. officials — in Turkey, Jordan, Qatar and Saudi Arabia.