ASHTON CARTER

The Defense Department says an Algerian man imprisoned at the Guantanamo Bay detention center for nearly 20 years has been released and sent back to his homeland.

On a warm spring day in Ukraine 26 years ago, three men smiled for cameras as they planted symbolic sunflower seedlings in freshly tilled earth where Soviet nuclear missiles had once stood ready.

The family of Raymond T.

Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin listens as President Joe Biden speaks before signing an Executive Order reversing the Trump era ban on transgender individuals serving in military, in the Oval Office of the White House, Monday, Jan. 25, 2021, in Washington. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)WASHINGTON – President Joe Biden signed an order Monday reversing a Trump-era Pentagon policy that largely barred transgender individuals from serving in the military. And the military set July 1, 2017, as the date when transgender individuals would be allowed to enlist. A few weeks later, Trump caught military leaders by surprise, tweeting that the government wouldn't accept or allow transgender individuals to serve “in any capacity” in the military. But they also acknowledged that some commanders were spending a lot of time with transgender individuals who were working through medical requirements and other transition issues.

Following the Nov. 3 election and subsequent recounts in some states, as well as unsuccessful court challenges, the outcome is clear, they wrote, while not specifying Trump in the article. The former Pentagon chiefs warned against use of the military in any effort to change the outcome. “Efforts to involve the U.S. armed forces in resolving election disputes would take us into dangerous, unlawful and unconstitutional territory,” they wrote. Biden has complained of efforts by Trump-appointed Pentagon officials to obstruct the transition. In reversing himself, Miller cited “recent threats issued by Iranian leaders against President Trump and other U.S. government officials.” He did not elaborate, and the Pentagon did not respond to questions.

Following the Nov. 3 election and subsequent recounts in some states, as well as unsuccessful court challenges, the outcome is clear, they wrote, while not specifying Trump in the article. The former Pentagon chiefs warned against use of the military in any effort to change the outcome. “Efforts to involve the U.S. armed forces in resolving election disputes would take us into dangerous, unlawful and unconstitutional territory,” they wrote. Biden has complained of efforts by Trump-appointed Pentagon officials to obstruct the transition. In reversing himself, Miller cited “recent threats issued by Iranian leaders against President Trump and other U.S. government officials.” He did not elaborate, and the Pentagon did not respond to questions.

WASHINGTON Scores of retired military and defense leaders are denouncing President Donald Trump and accusing him of using the U.S. Armed Forces to undermine the rights of Americans protesting police brutality and the killing of George Floyd. The condemnation Friday came in an op-ed in The Washington Post, signed by 89 former defense officials, and in a letter in support of Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden, signed by 55 retired military leaders. The president also threatened to invoke the Insurrection Act of 1807 to deploy federal troops to quell the protests. In the letter released by the Biden campaign, leaders including retired Gen. Merrill McPeak, an Air Force chief of staff in the 1990s, call on Trump to stop tarnishing the military by deploying its forces against peaceful protesters. Those of us who have served believe the greatness of our military -- and the greatness of our nation -- depends upon the calls for change in the streets today becoming votes for change in November, the 55 military leaders wrote.

Defense Secretary Ashton Carter says the U.S. and its coalition partners are making progress in their fight against ISIS, and that U.S. forces have killed Haji Imam, the Islamic State’s finance minister and other senior leaders. But he warned the battle against the Islamic militants is far from over. Julianna Goldman reports.

Secretary of Defense Ash Carter said at a Senate hearing that although ISIS is not contained, the U.S. is doing everything it can to fight the terrorist group. CBS News senior national security correspondent David Martin joins CBSN with more details about the hearing.

Col. Jeff McCausland (Ret.), CBS News Military Analyst, discusses Secretary of Defense Ashton Carter making an unexpected trip to Baghdad.

The Obama administration's ISIS strategy is facing the scrutiny of the Senate Armed Services Committee. CBS News national security correspondent David Martin has more.

U.S. Secretary of Defense Ashton Carter said that he is hopeful, but not confident, that the U.S. can close the military prison at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba before the end of President Obama's term. Carter told Margaret Brennan that he is working on a proposal to Congress that would relocate some of the most dangerous prisoners and allow the prison to be shut down.

The U.S. military is pledging weapons, aircraft and commandos as part of a new rapid reaction force in Europe. Defense Secretary Ashton Carter is detailing the commitment to counter Russian aggression and the threat from ISIS. He is meeting with his NATO counterparts in Europe. Carter sat down with Margaret Brennan in an interview you'll see only on "CBS This Morning."

Vice President Joe Biden says the U.S. will stand with Iraq in its fight against ISIS. He telephoned Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi Monday, praising Iraqi forces for their "sacrifice and bravery." On Sunday, Defense Secretary Ashton Carter said the Iraqi troops showed "no will to fight." CBS News national security analyst Juan Zarate joins "CBS This Morning" to discuss the status of the fight against ISIS.

Iran-backed Shia militias in Iraq say they’re ready to help retake Ramadi from ISIS, which also scored a massive victory in Palmyra in Syria. As Charlie D'Agata reports, U.S. Defense Secretary Ashton Carter questioned the Iraqi military’s will to fight after the losses.

President Obama nominates Ashton Carter as secretary of defense President Obama nominates Ashton Carter to be the next secretary of defense, replacing Chuck Hagel. The president made the announcement in the Roosevelt Room of the White House. Elaine Quijano and Michelle Miller report.

Obama: Ashton Carter will "hit the ground running" at the Pentagon President Obama nominates Ashton Carter to be the next secretary of defense, praising Carter as "one of our nation's foremost security leaders."

Who is Ashton Carter? Changes are coming to the Pentagon. President Obama announces his pick for secretary of defense. CBS News chief White House correspondent Major Garrett joins CBSN with what we know about Ashton Carter.

Obama to nominate Ashton Carter as defense secretary Friday Ashton Carter will be nominated as Secretary of Defense by President Obama. If confirmed, Chuck Hagel will step down after two years of service and the Pentagon's former number two official will replace his former boss. Major Garrett reports.