David S. Cloud

David S. Cloud covered the Pentagon, the military and other national issues from the Washington, D.C., bureau of the Los Angeles Times. In his 30-year career, he has also worked at the New York Times and the Wall Street Journal, where he was a member of a team of reporters awarded a 2002 Pulitzer Prize for coverage of the Sept 11, 2001, terror attacks. He is co-author of “The Fourth Star,” which traces the careers and experiences in Iraq of four U.S. officers.

Latest From This Author

Politics

‘The scourge of sexual assault’: Push to change military prosecutions gains traction

In the military system for handling sex assault claims, some victims find their lives destroyed while some perpetrators face little or no punishment.
Politics

Armed drones crisscross Middle Eastern skies, bringing havoc and a new threat to U.S.

Military drones are crosscrossing the Mideast with devastating results. U.S. is now ‘operating without complete air superiority,’ officials say.
Politics

U.S. sends warning to Russia, assuring Ukraine of support against Moscow’s aggression

Secretary of State Blinken in Ukraine to assure President Zelensky, who played role in Trump impeachment, of U.S. support against Russian hostilities.
Politics

U.S. troops are leaving Afghanistan, but Al Qaeda remains

As U.S. troops leave Afghanistan, efforts against a diminished Al Qaeda are in flux. Officials say the terrorist group could threaten the U.S. again.
Politics

‘Time to end the forever war.’ Biden says troops to leave Afghanistan by Sept. 11

Biden announces U.S. troops will leave Afghanistan by the 20th anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attacks that drew America into its longest war.
Politics

Biden to announce plan to withdraw troops from Afghanistan by Sept. 11

President Biden will miss the May 1 deadline of the Trump-Taliban deal and withdraw remaining U.S. troops from Afghanistan by Sept. 11.
Politics

On Iran nuclear deal, Biden faces more distrust in Tehran and sharpened knives in Washington

President Biden’s dilemma on the Iran nuclear deal: Go slow and risk war, or move fast even if it means an imperfect pact that hurts his domestic agenda.
Politics

In Afghanistan, the U.S. weighs a pause in airstrikes to spur Taliban peace talks

A temporary bombing halt is one of many ideas the Biden administration is discussing if Taliban militants agree to reduce violence before peace talks.
Politics

Leaving Afghanistan under Trump deal could spur chaos, U.S. commanders say

In Afghanistan, Taliban militants could threaten major cities unless President Biden’s administration can progress on a peace deal by May, top U.S. commanders said.
World & Nation

Inside U.S. troops’ stronghold in Syria, a question of how long Biden will keep them there

Just 900 U.S. troops remain in Syria, working with allies in a nation torn by civil war. The Biden administration appears in no rush to leave, fearing an Islamic State resurgence.