Tom Bowman

Tom Bowman, NPR Pentagon correspondent, discusses the scrutiny surrounding Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth after a watchdog report revealed his sharing of classified details. Ryan Lucas, NPR Justice correspondent, breaks down the arrest of Brian Cole Jr., linked to the Jan. 6 pipe bombs, highlighting the forensic evidence leading to his capture. Hansi Lo Wong, covering elections, explains the Supreme Court's decision favoring Texas's controversial congressional map, potentially impacting future elections and redistricting litigation across the country.

Quill Lawrence, NPR reporter on military policy, and Tom Bowman, national security correspondent, discuss U.S. troop movements, deployments, and legal limits. Scott Horsley, economics correspondent, walks through rising consumer spending and who is driving it. Frank Morris reports from Tulsa on preparations, outages, and local impacts of a powerful winter storm.

Tom Bowman, NPR's Pentagon correspondent, and Lauren Hodges, producer for NPR's Embedded podcasts, dive into the troubling intersection of military service and political extremism. They explore the profound implications of military participation in the January 6th Capitol riot, scrutinizing cases like that of an active-duty Marine involved in the chaos. The conversation unveils how the military grapples with addressing internal threats while balancing freedom of speech and the integrity of armed forces in a politically charged landscape.

Franco Ordonez, NPR White House correspondent who decodes administration messaging. Tom Bowman, NPR Pentagon correspondent who explains military operations. They discuss shifting White House rationales for war, the president’s on-camera objectives and timing, Pentagon briefings and rules of engagement, Iran’s leadership vacuum, and risks of regional escalation and a long conflict.

This discussion features Tom Bowman, NPR’s Pentagon correspondent, who brings insights on the U.S. military operation that led to the arrest of Nicolás Maduro. Greg Myrie, an NPR national security correspondent, dives into the legal implications of the raid. They cover how U.S. intelligence tracked Maduro, the complexities of running Venezuela post-operation, and the potential Venezuelan military and public response. The episode also highlights the challenges of rebuilding Venezuela's oil infrastructure and the broader geopolitical ramifications.

Tom Bowman, NPR's Pentagon correspondent, and Anthony Kuhn, an international correspondent based in Seoul, delve into the Trump administration's military strategies against South American drug cartels. They discuss a recent Navy strike linked to drug trafficking, questioning its impact on U.S.-Venezuela relations. Kuhn shares insights on China's military showcase, revealing the broader geopolitical implications and advanced capabilities that challenge U.S. dominance, while addressing shifting power dynamics involving Russia and North Korea.

Tom Bowman, NPR Pentagon correspondent with decades covering the U.S. military, gives on-the-ground analysis of troop movements and naval strategy. He discusses thousands of troops headed to the Middle East. He outlines options for seizing strategic islands, clearing the Strait of Hormuz, and the logistical and diplomatic hurdles involved.

In this insightful discussion, Tom Bowman, NPR's national security correspondent who extensively reported on the January 6th Capitol attack, and producer Lauren Hodges examine the troubling intersection of military service and political insurrection. They delve into the compelling case of Marine Sgt. Joshua Abate, who admits to participating in the Capitol riots before a polygraph test. The conversation uncovers the psychological aftermath of that day, the challenges of accountability, and the military's response to extremism among its ranks.

Tom Bowman, a seasoned Pentagon reporter for NPR with 28 years of military coverage, delves into the controversial tenure of Pete Hegseth. He discusses Hegseth's inexperience, the chaos unfolding at the Pentagon, and how he prioritizes 'fighting wokeness' over military effectiveness. The conversation highlights issues like contentious firings of military leaders, biases in decision-making, and concerns over Hegseth's handling of sensitive information. Bowman's insights reveal the profound implications of Hegseth's leadership on military readiness and policy.

Greg Myre, NPR national security correspondent with deep conflict reporting experience, and Tom Bowman, NPR Pentagon correspondent with decades covering the U.S. military, dissect Trump's belated primetime case for war in Iran. They parse the speech's timelines and missing plans. They debate likely Iranian responses, diplomatic backchannels, and the gap between tactical strikes and strategic outcomes.