Tom Bowman

There's a promise that all Marines make to defend the Constitution. After Sgt. Joshua Abate participated in the events on January 6, the Corps has to decide: Did he break his oath when he entered the Capitol that day? And what does his case say about the changing narrative around January 6? To listen to this series sponsor-free and support NPR, sign up for Embedded+ in Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org.

As the war in Ukraine drags on, the U.S. military is keeping a close eye on how drones are changing the conflict. They are used by both Russia and Ukraine to watch troop movements, identify targets and drop bombs. We go to the woods of Louisiana to see what lessons the U.S. Army is incorporating into its training and understand what it might mean for future wars.

The most immediate challenge for the next president: the U.S. is both deeply involved in both of these wars but has pretty limited control of what is actually happening on the ground.

This episode: political correspondent Susan Davis, national security correspondent Greg Myre and Pentagon correspondent Tom Bowman.

The podcast is produced by Jeongyoon Han, Casey Morell and Kelli Wessinger. Our editor is Eric McDaniel. Our executive producer is Muthoni Muturi.

Listen to every episode of the NPR Politics Podcast sponsor-free, unlock access to bonus episodes with more from the NPR Politics team, and support public media when you sign up for The NPR Politics Podcast+ at plus.npr.org/politics.

In the landmark bipartisan foreign aid package that passed earlier this year, there was money for two allies in ongoing military conflicts: Israel and Ukraine. But there was also money for the Indo-Pacific region. So why is the U.S. interested in the region and how is Taiwan involved?

This episode: political correspondent Susan Davis, defense correspondent Tom Bowman, and foreign correspondent Emily Feng.

The podcast is produced by Jeongyoon Han, Casey Morell and Kelli Wessinger. Our intern is Bria Suggs. Our editor is Eric McDaniel. Our executive producer is Muthoni Muturi.

Listen to every episode of the NPR Politics Podcast sponsor-free, unlock access to bonus episodes with more from the NPR Politics team, and support public media when you sign up for The NPR Politics Podcast+ at plus.npr.org/politics.

President Biden put a hold on a shipment of bombs for Israel. We look at the implications for the war in Gaza — and politics at home.

It's taken months of debate on the Hill, but Ukraine finally has the military assistance it's been seeking. After two years of fighting, military experts say the nation still faces a long road ahead.

Aid groups draw up contingency plans as Israel plans assault on Rafah, where most people in Gaza are displaced. Meanwhile, the U.S. is building a pier to deliver aid.

The Biden administration said U.S. forces helped take down incoming drones and missiles after Iran launched its attack on Israel.

The aftermath of Israel's raid on Gaza's Al-Shifa hospital and airstrike on foreign workers shows the risks of an even wider assault on Rafah, where most Palestinians are now sheltering.

ISIS-K has claimed responsibility for the deadly assault on a Moscow concert hall, and US officials are warning the group has also set its sights on western targets.

On Capitol Hill, two retired senior officers recalled the withdrawal from Afghanistan, and the advice they gave and the advice that was rejected by the Biden administration.

The U.S. Army is restructuring, partly because it's having trouble filling its ranks, but also to better prep for future fights.

The U.S. says it has struck more than 85 targets at seven facilities used by Iran or Iran-allied groups in Iraq and Syria.

Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin has apologized for a failure in communication around his recent hospital stay for prostate cancer treatment. He was roundly criticized for not alerting the White House.

The Biden administration said it will respond after three U.S. service members were killed in a drone attack in Jordan. But any kind of military action in the volatile region carries its own risks.

The White House says three American service members were killed and 25 wounded in a drone attack on a remote military base in Jordan. An Iranian-backed militia group has claimed responsibility.

The U.S. military is being drawn into dangerous flashpoints in the Middle East after Israel invaded Gaza. Iraq faces pressure to expel U.S. forces, which have been attacked by Iran-backed militias.

After Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin was mysteriously hospitalized, doctors from Walter Reed National Military Center say he is being treated for prostate cancer.

Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin waited several days to inform President Biden and members of Congress that he was hospitalized after complications from elective surgery.

In remarks to the Knesset on Monday, Prime Minister Netanyahu vowed to keep fighting until Israel is victorious. The U.S. is urging Israel to take a more targeted approach and contain the conflict.