Jeff Seldin
@jseldin-news.bsky.social
VOA National Security Correspondent, former Pentagon Correspondent
Ex WTOP/Federal News Network | Syracuse University-Newhouse
(RTs ≠ endorsement)
DM for Signal
Ex WTOP/Federal News Network | Syracuse University-Newhouse
(RTs ≠ endorsement)
DM for Signal
Fort Benning returns
US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has signed a memorandum renaming Fort Moore in Georgia to Fort Benning
Per the memo, the base is now named for Corporal Fred G. Benning, awarded the Distinguished Service Cross for heroism during World War I
US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has signed a memorandum renaming Fort Moore in Georgia to Fort Benning
Per the memo, the base is now named for Corporal Fred G. Benning, awarded the Distinguished Service Cross for heroism during World War I
March 3, 2025 at 7:53 PM
Fort Benning returns
US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has signed a memorandum renaming Fort Moore in Georgia to Fort Benning
Per the memo, the base is now named for Corporal Fred G. Benning, awarded the Distinguished Service Cross for heroism during World War I
US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has signed a memorandum renaming Fort Moore in Georgia to Fort Benning
Per the memo, the base is now named for Corporal Fred G. Benning, awarded the Distinguished Service Cross for heroism during World War I
UPDATE on US mass deportation efforts thru the naval base at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba
2 US defense officials say 48 detainees were deported Sunday
The removal leaves 16 “high threat illegal aliens” at the detention facility and 4 detainees at the migrant operations center
2 US defense officials say 48 detainees were deported Sunday
The removal leaves 16 “high threat illegal aliens” at the detention facility and 4 detainees at the migrant operations center
March 3, 2025 at 7:43 PM
UPDATE on US mass deportation efforts thru the naval base at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba
2 US defense officials say 48 detainees were deported Sunday
The removal leaves 16 “high threat illegal aliens” at the detention facility and 4 detainees at the migrant operations center
2 US defense officials say 48 detainees were deported Sunday
The removal leaves 16 “high threat illegal aliens” at the detention facility and 4 detainees at the migrant operations center
US Director of National Intelligence accuses Ukraine, Zelenskyy of "trying to drag the United States into a nuclear war with Russia/WW3"
Tulsi Gabbard, posting from her personal X account, thanks President Trump for "standing up for the interests of the American people, and peace"
Tulsi Gabbard, posting from her personal X account, thanks President Trump for "standing up for the interests of the American people, and peace"
March 1, 2025 at 12:37 AM
US Director of National Intelligence accuses Ukraine, Zelenskyy of "trying to drag the United States into a nuclear war with Russia/WW3"
Tulsi Gabbard, posting from her personal X account, thanks President Trump for "standing up for the interests of the American people, and peace"
Tulsi Gabbard, posting from her personal X account, thanks President Trump for "standing up for the interests of the American people, and peace"
Gitmo UPDATE
Naval Station Guantanamo Bay now holding a total of 68 migrants, per a US defense official
- 33 "high threat illegal aliens" at the detention facility
- 35 detainees at the Migrant Operations Center
Naval Station Guantanamo Bay now holding a total of 68 migrants, per a US defense official
- 33 "high threat illegal aliens" at the detention facility
- 35 detainees at the Migrant Operations Center
UPDATE: US now holding total of 34 migrants at Guantanamo Bay
26 "high threat illegal aliens" flown to the prison/detention center Sunday & Tuesday
and
8 who arrived today (Wednesday) from Fort Bliss who are being held at the Migrant Operation Center, per US defense official
26 "high threat illegal aliens" flown to the prison/detention center Sunday & Tuesday
and
8 who arrived today (Wednesday) from Fort Bliss who are being held at the Migrant Operation Center, per US defense official
NEW: Another US flight with 9 "high threat" illegal aliens arrives at Naval Station Guantanamo Bay in Cuba - same day US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth is visiting
US defense officials confirm to VOA a C-130J from Fort Bliss, Texas landed at Gitmo shortly before noon
US defense officials confirm to VOA a C-130J from Fort Bliss, Texas landed at Gitmo shortly before noon
February 28, 2025 at 10:11 PM
Gitmo UPDATE
Naval Station Guantanamo Bay now holding a total of 68 migrants, per a US defense official
- 33 "high threat illegal aliens" at the detention facility
- 35 detainees at the Migrant Operations Center
Naval Station Guantanamo Bay now holding a total of 68 migrants, per a US defense official
- 33 "high threat illegal aliens" at the detention facility
- 35 detainees at the Migrant Operations Center
Former US, NATO pilots and aircrew told "avoid employment with privately-owned aviation companies backing the People’s Republic of China"
Friday's warning from NATO Allied Air Command & US Air Forces Europe & Africa Commander Gen James Hecker comes as new German laws take effect
Friday's warning from NATO Allied Air Command & US Air Forces Europe & Africa Commander Gen James Hecker comes as new German laws take effect
February 28, 2025 at 3:54 PM
Former US, NATO pilots and aircrew told "avoid employment with privately-owned aviation companies backing the People’s Republic of China"
Friday's warning from NATO Allied Air Command & US Air Forces Europe & Africa Commander Gen James Hecker comes as new German laws take effect
Friday's warning from NATO Allied Air Command & US Air Forces Europe & Africa Commander Gen James Hecker comes as new German laws take effect
NEW - US task force to combat antisemitism to visit 10 colleges to investigate allegations, per Justice Department:
Columbia
George Washington University
Harvard
Johns Hopkins
NYU
Northwestern
UCLA
Cal Berkeley
University of Minnesota
University of Southern California
Columbia
George Washington University
Harvard
Johns Hopkins
NYU
Northwestern
UCLA
Cal Berkeley
University of Minnesota
University of Southern California
February 28, 2025 at 3:08 PM
NEW - US task force to combat antisemitism to visit 10 colleges to investigate allegations, per Justice Department:
Columbia
George Washington University
Harvard
Johns Hopkins
NYU
Northwestern
UCLA
Cal Berkeley
University of Minnesota
University of Southern California
Columbia
George Washington University
Harvard
Johns Hopkins
NYU
Northwestern
UCLA
Cal Berkeley
University of Minnesota
University of Southern California
"Our continuing mission in Syria will continue to be the enduring defeat of ISIS" a US defense official tells VOA, regarding the possible impact of Thursday's call by PKK's jailed leader for the group to lay down its arms
A call by the leader of the Turkey-based Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) for the group to lay down its arms could be good for NE Syria
"When the peace flowers between Turkey and PKK, that will has its own positive consequences on us" per SDF Commander Gen Mazloum Abdi
"When the peace flowers between Turkey and PKK, that will has its own positive consequences on us" per SDF Commander Gen Mazloum Abdi
February 28, 2025 at 2:59 PM
"Our continuing mission in Syria will continue to be the enduring defeat of ISIS" a US defense official tells VOA, regarding the possible impact of Thursday's call by PKK's jailed leader for the group to lay down its arms
A call by the leader of the Turkey-based Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) for the group to lay down its arms could be good for NE Syria
"When the peace flowers between Turkey and PKK, that will has its own positive consequences on us" per SDF Commander Gen Mazloum Abdi
"When the peace flowers between Turkey and PKK, that will has its own positive consequences on us" per SDF Commander Gen Mazloum Abdi
February 27, 2025 at 7:16 PM
A call by the leader of the Turkey-based Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) for the group to lay down its arms could be good for NE Syria
"When the peace flowers between Turkey and PKK, that will has its own positive consequences on us" per SDF Commander Gen Mazloum Abdi
"When the peace flowers between Turkey and PKK, that will has its own positive consequences on us" per SDF Commander Gen Mazloum Abdi
ICYMI: Brooklyn, New York man arrested Wednesday for sending thousands of dollars to ISIS, ISIS-Khorasan
33yo Mansuri Manuchekhri also charged firearm possession and immigration fraud, per Justice Department statement
33yo Mansuri Manuchekhri also charged firearm possession and immigration fraud, per Justice Department statement
February 27, 2025 at 2:46 PM
ICYMI: Brooklyn, New York man arrested Wednesday for sending thousands of dollars to ISIS, ISIS-Khorasan
33yo Mansuri Manuchekhri also charged firearm possession and immigration fraud, per Justice Department statement
33yo Mansuri Manuchekhri also charged firearm possession and immigration fraud, per Justice Department statement
US special forces being pushed to the max
"It is increasing the number of operation requests that we cannot meet due to force size and or resources" Army Special Operations Command's LtGen Jonathan Braga told the House Armed Services Committee Wednesday
"It is increasing the number of operation requests that we cannot meet due to force size and or resources" Army Special Operations Command's LtGen Jonathan Braga told the House Armed Services Committee Wednesday
February 26, 2025 at 10:44 PM
US special forces being pushed to the max
"It is increasing the number of operation requests that we cannot meet due to force size and or resources" Army Special Operations Command's LtGen Jonathan Braga told the House Armed Services Committee Wednesday
"It is increasing the number of operation requests that we cannot meet due to force size and or resources" Army Special Operations Command's LtGen Jonathan Braga told the House Armed Services Committee Wednesday
UPDATE: US now holding total of 34 migrants at Guantanamo Bay
26 "high threat illegal aliens" flown to the prison/detention center Sunday & Tuesday
and
8 who arrived today (Wednesday) from Fort Bliss who are being held at the Migrant Operation Center, per US defense official
26 "high threat illegal aliens" flown to the prison/detention center Sunday & Tuesday
and
8 who arrived today (Wednesday) from Fort Bliss who are being held at the Migrant Operation Center, per US defense official
NEW: Another US flight with 9 "high threat" illegal aliens arrives at Naval Station Guantanamo Bay in Cuba - same day US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth is visiting
US defense officials confirm to VOA a C-130J from Fort Bliss, Texas landed at Gitmo shortly before noon
US defense officials confirm to VOA a C-130J from Fort Bliss, Texas landed at Gitmo shortly before noon
February 26, 2025 at 8:36 PM
UPDATE: US now holding total of 34 migrants at Guantanamo Bay
26 "high threat illegal aliens" flown to the prison/detention center Sunday & Tuesday
and
8 who arrived today (Wednesday) from Fort Bliss who are being held at the Migrant Operation Center, per US defense official
26 "high threat illegal aliens" flown to the prison/detention center Sunday & Tuesday
and
8 who arrived today (Wednesday) from Fort Bliss who are being held at the Migrant Operation Center, per US defense official
US sanctions 6 entities in Hong Kong and China for helping Iran build drones
-Dingtai Industrial Technology
-Yonghongan Trade
-Hong Kong Tianle International Co
-DDC Develop
-Shenzhen Zhiyu International
-JP Oriental International Holdings
-Dingtai Industrial Technology
-Yonghongan Trade
-Hong Kong Tianle International Co
-DDC Develop
-Shenzhen Zhiyu International
-JP Oriental International Holdings
February 26, 2025 at 3:49 PM
US sanctions 6 entities in Hong Kong and China for helping Iran build drones
-Dingtai Industrial Technology
-Yonghongan Trade
-Hong Kong Tianle International Co
-DDC Develop
-Shenzhen Zhiyu International
-JP Oriental International Holdings
-Dingtai Industrial Technology
-Yonghongan Trade
-Hong Kong Tianle International Co
-DDC Develop
-Shenzhen Zhiyu International
-JP Oriental International Holdings
NEW: Another US flight with 9 "high threat" illegal aliens arrives at Naval Station Guantanamo Bay in Cuba - same day US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth is visiting
US defense officials confirm to VOA a C-130J from Fort Bliss, Texas landed at Gitmo shortly before noon
US defense officials confirm to VOA a C-130J from Fort Bliss, Texas landed at Gitmo shortly before noon
February 25, 2025 at 6:39 PM
NEW: Another US flight with 9 "high threat" illegal aliens arrives at Naval Station Guantanamo Bay in Cuba - same day US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth is visiting
US defense officials confirm to VOA a C-130J from Fort Bliss, Texas landed at Gitmo shortly before noon
US defense officials confirm to VOA a C-130J from Fort Bliss, Texas landed at Gitmo shortly before noon
US Defense Secretary calls for "deepening and strengthening our partnership" with Saudi Arabia during visit by Saudi Minister of Defense Prince Khalid bin Salman to the Pentagon
February 24, 2025 at 10:48 PM
US Defense Secretary calls for "deepening and strengthening our partnership" with Saudi Arabia during visit by Saudi Minister of Defense Prince Khalid bin Salman to the Pentagon
New: US again starting to fill up facilities at Naval Station Guantanamo Bay with illegal aliens
A C-130 military cargo jet carrying migrants slated for deportation flew from Fort Bliss, Texas to Guantanamo Bay in Cuba on Sunday (Feb. 23), a defense official confirms to VOA
A C-130 military cargo jet carrying migrants slated for deportation flew from Fort Bliss, Texas to Guantanamo Bay in Cuba on Sunday (Feb. 23), a defense official confirms to VOA
February 24, 2025 at 6:59 PM
New: US again starting to fill up facilities at Naval Station Guantanamo Bay with illegal aliens
A C-130 military cargo jet carrying migrants slated for deportation flew from Fort Bliss, Texas to Guantanamo Bay in Cuba on Sunday (Feb. 23), a defense official confirms to VOA
A C-130 military cargo jet carrying migrants slated for deportation flew from Fort Bliss, Texas to Guantanamo Bay in Cuba on Sunday (Feb. 23), a defense official confirms to VOA
JUST IN: US State Department, Treasury launch new sanctions vs Iran's illicit oil trade - first step of new maximum pressure campaign vs Iran
Per spox Tammy Bruce, State is designating 16 entities and vessels, while State & Treasury are sanctioning another 22 people, 13 vessels
Per spox Tammy Bruce, State is designating 16 entities and vessels, while State & Treasury are sanctioning another 22 people, 13 vessels
February 24, 2025 at 3:31 PM
JUST IN: US State Department, Treasury launch new sanctions vs Iran's illicit oil trade - first step of new maximum pressure campaign vs Iran
Per spox Tammy Bruce, State is designating 16 entities and vessels, while State & Treasury are sanctioning another 22 people, 13 vessels
Per spox Tammy Bruce, State is designating 16 entities and vessels, while State & Treasury are sanctioning another 22 people, 13 vessels
NEW: Trump cans chairman of the joint chiefs of staff
In a Truth Social post, President Donald Trump thanked Gen. CQ Brown for 40 years of service to the US
Says he is nominating Air Force Lieutenant General Dan “Razin” Caine to be the next chairman
In a Truth Social post, President Donald Trump thanked Gen. CQ Brown for 40 years of service to the US
Says he is nominating Air Force Lieutenant General Dan “Razin” Caine to be the next chairman
February 22, 2025 at 1:21 AM
NEW: Trump cans chairman of the joint chiefs of staff
In a Truth Social post, President Donald Trump thanked Gen. CQ Brown for 40 years of service to the US
Says he is nominating Air Force Lieutenant General Dan “Razin” Caine to be the next chairman
In a Truth Social post, President Donald Trump thanked Gen. CQ Brown for 40 years of service to the US
Says he is nominating Air Force Lieutenant General Dan “Razin” Caine to be the next chairman
NEW: Pentagon expecting to fire about 5,400 probationary workers starting next week - part of an effort to cut the civilian workforce up to 8%
"Simply not in the public interest to retain individuals whose contributions are not mission-critical" per Defense Department's Darin Selnick
"Simply not in the public interest to retain individuals whose contributions are not mission-critical" per Defense Department's Darin Selnick
February 21, 2025 at 9:52 PM
NEW: Pentagon expecting to fire about 5,400 probationary workers starting next week - part of an effort to cut the civilian workforce up to 8%
"Simply not in the public interest to retain individuals whose contributions are not mission-critical" per Defense Department's Darin Selnick
"Simply not in the public interest to retain individuals whose contributions are not mission-critical" per Defense Department's Darin Selnick
NEW: Chair of the Senate Intelligence Committee says US government, OMB should ban the use of DeepSeek and other artificial intelligence tools developed by China
February 21, 2025 at 4:31 PM
NEW: Chair of the Senate Intelligence Committee says US government, OMB should ban the use of DeepSeek and other artificial intelligence tools developed by China
US will not take "no" for an answer from Ukraine on critical minerals
"President Zelenskyy is going to sign that deal" White House national security adviser Mike Waltz tells CPAC "You will see that in the very short term"
"President Zelenskyy is going to sign that deal" White House national security adviser Mike Waltz tells CPAC "You will see that in the very short term"
February 21, 2025 at 3:46 PM
US will not take "no" for an answer from Ukraine on critical minerals
"President Zelenskyy is going to sign that deal" White House national security adviser Mike Waltz tells CPAC "You will see that in the very short term"
"President Zelenskyy is going to sign that deal" White House national security adviser Mike Waltz tells CPAC "You will see that in the very short term"
JUST IN: National Association of Secretaries of State (NASS) offers to meet with Homeland Security Sec. Kristi Noem to save CISA election security and info-sharing mechanisms
February 21, 2025 at 3:18 PM
JUST IN: National Association of Secretaries of State (NASS) offers to meet with Homeland Security Sec. Kristi Noem to save CISA election security and info-sharing mechanisms
President Donald Trump's makeover of the United States' national security and law enforcement agencies took a major step forward Thursday, with Senate lawmakers voting 51-49 to confirm Kash Patel as the director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)
www.voanews.com/a/trump-loya...
www.voanews.com/a/trump-loya...
Trump loyalist Kash Patel takes helm of FBI
US Senators votes 51-49 to confirm Patel as director of the country's preeminent law enforcement agency, where he has promised an overhaul
www.voanews.com
February 20, 2025 at 9:56 PM
President Donald Trump's makeover of the United States' national security and law enforcement agencies took a major step forward Thursday, with Senate lawmakers voting 51-49 to confirm Kash Patel as the director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)
www.voanews.com/a/trump-loya...
www.voanews.com/a/trump-loya...
BREAKING: Kash Patel confirmed as FBI Director
Senate votes 51-49 in favor of Patel
Republicans Lisa Murkowski & Susan Collins joined the Democrats to vote no
Senate votes 51-49 in favor of Patel
Republicans Lisa Murkowski & Susan Collins joined the Democrats to vote no
February 20, 2025 at 7:27 PM
BREAKING: Kash Patel confirmed as FBI Director
Senate votes 51-49 in favor of Patel
Republicans Lisa Murkowski & Susan Collins joined the Democrats to vote no
Senate votes 51-49 in favor of Patel
Republicans Lisa Murkowski & Susan Collins joined the Democrats to vote no
US Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard, US intelligence agencies "supporting the peace talks" with Russian on the war in Ukraine, per a spokesperson with the Office of the Director of National Intelligence (ODNI)
February 20, 2025 at 5:00 PM
US Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard, US intelligence agencies "supporting the peace talks" with Russian on the war in Ukraine, per a spokesperson with the Office of the Director of National Intelligence (ODNI)
UPDATE: Visit to Guantanamo Bay by US Defense Pete Hegseth has been postponed... now expected to possibly take place next week, per a US defense official
NEW: US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth set to visit Naval Station Guantanamo Bay in Cuba, defense official confirms to VOA
Hegseth is expected to be there Friday to look at the military's ongoing support for US deportation operations
Hegseth is expected to be there Friday to look at the military's ongoing support for US deportation operations
February 19, 2025 at 9:07 PM
UPDATE: Visit to Guantanamo Bay by US Defense Pete Hegseth has been postponed... now expected to possibly take place next week, per a US defense official