Lloyd Austin Archives - Northwest Public Broadcasting

Israel And Hamas Agree To A Cease-Fire In The Gaza Conflict

By NPR News May 20, 2021

People gather near the rubble of a residential building hit by Israeli airstrikes Thursday in Beit Lahiya, Gaza Strip. CREDIT: Adel Hana/AP

The Israeli Cabinet voted to accept an Egyptian initiative for a cease-fire, according to a statement from the Cabinet. A Hamas spokesman said, "The Palestinian resistance will commit itself to this deal as long as the occupation is committed."Read More

Military Panel Urges Taking Sexual Assault Cases Out Of Commanders’ Control

By NPR News April 24, 2021

A special Pentagon panel is recommending a seismic shift in how the U.S. military handles sexual assault cases, saying independent judge advocates, not commanding officers, should decide whether to pursue legal charges in such cases.Read More

U.S. Defense Secretary Goes To Afghanistan Amid Questions Over Withdrawal Date

By NPR News March 21, 2021

Lloyd Austin, U.S. secretary of defense, visits the National Cemetery in Seoul, South Korea, on Thursday. On his Asia tour, the defense chief made an unannounced visit to Afghanistan. CREDIT: SeongJoon Cho/Bloomberg via Getty Images

U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin landed in Kabul on Sunday, amid uncertainty over how long American forces will stay in the country.Read More

Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin Signs Military ‘Stand Down’ Memo To Address Extremism

By NPR News February 7, 2021

As the Pentagon wrestles with concerns over right-wing extremism among service members, Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin has signed a memo directing commanding officers and supervisors to institute a one-day stand-down within the next 60 days to address extremism within the nation's armed forces.Read More

Lloyd Austin Confirmed As Secretary of Defense, Becomes First Black Pentagon Chief

By NPR News January 22, 2021

Retired U.S. Army Gen. Lloyd Austin was confirmed as the next secretary of defense. He is seen above speaking after being nominated by then-President-elect Joe Biden last month. Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images

Lloyd Austin, a retired four-star Army general, has been confirmed by the Senate, making him the first Black secretary of defense in U.S. history. The Senate approved President Biden's nomination for Pentagon chief in a near-unanimous 93 to 2 vote.Read More

Joe Biden Poised To Enter Presidency With Fewest Cabinet Confirmations In Decades

By NPR News January 9, 2021

Retired U.S. Army Gen. Lloyd Austin speaks last month in Wilmington, Del., after being nominated to be defense secretary. Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images

With less than two weeks before he assumes office, President-elect Joe Biden is on track to have few, if any, Cabinet members confirmed on Inauguration Day, the first president to face such a personnel issue in recent history.Read More