Since the fall of President Bashar Assad regime, tensions across the Middle East have continued to remain high.

The U.S. needs to keep troops deployed in Syria to prevent the Islamic State group from reconstituting as a major threat following the ouster of Bashar Assad's government, Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin told The Associated Press.

With Donald Trump about to be sworn in and Republicans in control of the House and Senate, the GOP “can’t blame the Democrats for not getting something done,” Hern said.

The secretaries of defense and state will play key roles in U.S. policy on Israel, but Hegseth and Rubio faced little scrutiny on Palestinian suffering.

The Netanyahu cabinet said a deal set to free Israeli captives had been reached, while the country's military continues to pound Gaza.

Keeping Ukraine's momentum up in denying Putin's attempts to overrun it will depend in large measure on the willingness of President-elect Trump to support the democracy President Vladimir Putin of Russia appalled the world with his full-scale invasion of Ukraine almost three years ago.

The incoming defense secretary will face several challenges, including the war in Ukraine and the turmoil in the Middle East.

Pursuing a policy of peace through strength is vital to Ukraine’s survival and America’s security. The United States and its allies and partners must continue to stand by Ukraine and strengthen its hand for the negotiations that will someday bring Mr. Putin’s war of aggression to an end.

President Joe Biden argued in a farewell foreign policy address that he made the country stronger and more secure ahead of Donald Trump's return.

U S Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin has said American troops must remain in Syria to prevent the Islamic State from regaining a foothold, warning that pulling out prematurely would allow the terror

SecDef confirmation hearing set for Jan. 14. Pete Hegseth, who is Donald Trump’s announced nominee to succeed Lloyd Austin as U.S. defense secretary, will go before the newly GOP-controlled Senate Armed Services Committee on Tuesday.

President-elect Donald Trump’s cabinet nominees are all veterans with different views of war than their older predecessors.