U.S., Russia to work together for "deconfliction" in Syria

Defense chief Ash Carter kicks off high-level dialog with Bashar Assad's allies as Obama admin shifts policy on deteriorating war

• Sep 18, 2015

Ash Carter describes U.S. military of the future

The defense secretary signaled his early support for expanded maternity leave, ​women serving in combat jobs, and smarter military technology

• Sep 3, 2015

Defense Secretary: Turkey must "do more" for anti-ISIS coalition

Pentagon chief Ash Carter says America's NATO partner should take part in airstrikes and control its border

• Aug 20, 2015

Can U.S. prisons house Guantanamo detainees?

The Defense Department is looking at prisons in Kansas and South Carolina as part of the push to close the Cuban detention facility

• Aug 17, 2015

Top military leader: Deal keeps Iran from atomic weapon

But Army Gen. Martin Dempsey says it does not address other concerns about Tehran's regional activities

• Jul 29, 2015

Ash Carter visits Iraq ahead of key battle with ISIS

Defense chief didn't pull punches when Iraqi army showed "no will to fight" for Ramadi, now he wants to see if they're ready to take it back

• Jul 23, 2015

Ash Carter in Tel Aviv to ease Israeli minds

Israelis welcome defense chief, thank him for U.S. contributions to security in wake of Iran nuclear deal that has Jewish state on edge

• Jul 20, 2015

Ash Carter says Iran deal doesn't bar military options

The Defense Secretary said the U.S. reserves the right to use force to ensure the security of its mideast allies if necessary

• Jul 19, 2015

Obama: Marine deaths are "heartbreaking"

The president commented on the four Marines who were killed by a lone gunman in Chattanooga Thursday

• Jul 16, 2015

Military readies plans to lift ban on transgender personnel

After the expected announcement, officials will take several months to analyze the policy change

• Jul 13, 2015

U.S. only training 60 Syrian fighters, Ash Carter tells Congress

Obama says fight against ISIS depends on local support, but effort to support moderate Syrians has fallen short so far

• Jul 7, 2015

Is the Syrian civil war hampering anti-ISIS recruitment?

Defense Secretary Ash Carter tells CBS News' Margaret Brennan that finding Syrians who want to fight ISIS - rather than the Syrian regime - is difficult

• Jun 23, 2015

U.S. sending arms to answer "Russia's provocations"

Defense chief Ash Carter tells CBS News that America will bolster NATO's deterrent force with military muscle

• Jun 23, 2015

Carter laments Putin's "loose rhetoric" on nukes

U.S. defense chief, planning "strong but balanced" response to Russia with NATO allies, says there was "no need" for Putin to tout new missile plans

• Jun 22, 2015

U.S. defense chief calls for "strong but balanced" approach to Russia

On trip to Europe, Ashton Carter says allies must bolster defenses to deter Russian aggression, but also work with Moscow on key issues

• Jun 21, 2015

Carter: US to fall short of goal to train 24,000 Iraqi forces to fight ISIS

The defense secretary and joint chiefs of staff chairman testified before Congress about the U.S. policy in the Middle East

• Jun 17, 2015

Defense secretary wary of island construction in South China Sea

The building of artificial islands have caught the attention of Ash Carter because of potential Chinese military buildup

• May 27, 2015

Iraqi leader refutes U.S. criticism over Ramadi

PM al-Abadi says harsh critique from American defense chief "surprised" him, and vows ISIS will be out in "days"

• May 25, 2015

Carter: Iraqi forces "showed no will to fight" ISIS

Takeover of Ramadi by smaller ISIS force shows poor fighting spirit, U.S. defense secretary says; Iraqi official blasts U.S. assistance

• May 24, 2015

Pentagon chief: Europe "not doing enough" on defense

Defense Secretary Ash Carter offers unusually blunt assessment of the Europeans' defense efforts

• Apr 22, 2015