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Tom Bowman

@TBowmanNPR

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NPR National Desk reporter covering the Pentagon, the war abroad and the war at home.

Washington DC
Joined November 2009
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@TBowmanNPR
Tom Bowman
3 years
The situation at the US Embassy in #Kabul is more dire than what the State Department is saying. Mail has stopped. Nearly all employees are packing up and a very small number will head to another location. Staff are gearing up to destroy sensitive papers, computers, phones.
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Tom Bowman
4 years
I am a pro-life, pro-Second Amendment, small-government, strong-defense and a national-anthem-standing conservative, writes William McRaven. Here’s why I voted for Joe Biden.
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Tom Bowman
3 years
We learned today that as many as 600 #Afghan soldiers are helping US maintain security at #Kabul Airport. And what happens to them when the mission ends Aug 31? Pentagon says they can apply for visas. #NPR .
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Tom Bowman
4 years
GEN Mark Milley on #NPR dismisses Nat Sec Advisor’s announced troop cuts in #Afghanistan . “Robert O'Brien or anyone else can speculate as they see fit...I'm going to engage in the rigorous analysis of the situation based on the conditions .. and conversations with the president.”
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Tom Bowman
3 years
Friends of ours still hunkered down In #Kabul and can’t get to the airport. Taliban checkpoints. WH says Taliban assured safe passage. Not true on the ground. Big problem? US securing airport but the streets outside are owned by the #Taliban . #NPR
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Tom Bowman
11 months
US expected to announce tomorrow it will send cluster munitions to Ukraine, which is low on artillery shells. The munitions scatter bomblets. Ukraine wants them to hit dug-in Russians; Human Rights groups say the unexploded bomblets are a threat to civilians. #UKRAINE #NPR
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Tom Bowman
3 years
An Afghan friend in Kabul reports Taliban beating women who tried to get to the airport. Friend fled with his wife and two kids and lost all luggage and money. Now hunkered down and afraid.
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Tom Bowman
8 years
Trump: "Right now we are not strong." Real Reporter: "What other national military is stronger, more capable than the US?" #NBCNewsForum .
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Tom Bowman
9 years
Two women have made it through the tough and exhausting Army Ranger training. Both Lts and West Point grads. More on NPR's Morning Edition.
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Tom Bowman
11 months
@LucasFoxNews I was there when it happened. 500 Wagner Group troops tried to take a oil field and a U.S. Special Ops/Kurd outpost was in the way. Wagner attacked with artillery. US responded with AC-130, F-16s, drones, etc. Half killed, half scooted. Never happened again.
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Tom Bowman
2 years
With most Russian combat forces rimming Ukraine now committed to the fight, Russia now starting to call up other troops in its country. A couple of battalions so far, a US official tells me. Officials also keeping a close eye on possible attacks on Odessa. #NPR . #UkraineWar
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Tom Bowman
3 years
SCOOP: Senior defense official tells NPR that there were 143 notifications of investigation by the FBI last year of military members, mostly former.  Of these, 68 pertained to domestic extremism cases, including attacks on govt bldgs and involvement with White Nationalism. #npr
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Tom Bowman
3 years
NPR’s David Gilkey was at a Marine outpost in Afghanistan in 2011 when bin Laden was killed and overheard this to grunts back from patrol. Officer: “Good news guys they got bin Laden.” Grunt: Great sir does this mean we get to go home? Officer: No! Grunt: Then who gives a shit.
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Tom Bowman
4 months
More strikes on Yemen, says a US official. More to follow. #NPR
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Tom Bowman
3 years
History Rhymes: In the days leading up to Nixon’s resignation in August 1974, Defense Sec James Schlesinger, became so worried that Nixon was unstable that he instructed the military not to react to WH orders, particularly on nuclear arms, unless cleared by him or Kissinger.
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Tom Bowman
3 years
Another Army battalion heading into #Kabul . That will make 6,000 US troops for the evacuation — more than double the number when Biden announced all troops out.
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Tom Bowman
2 years
On the C&O Canal, just outside Georgetown…. Ice is not bad.
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Tom Bowman
3 years
A senior official confirms to #NPR that only military aircraft are now flying out of #Kabul airport, mostly the massive C-17s No commercial aircraft . State Dept in charge of getting people out. And what about the Afghans who worked for US? “We’ll take out who they tell us.”
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Tom Bowman
8 years
#Mullah Mansour was killed by two Hellfire missiles fired by #Reaper drones. Sources tell #NPR US tracked him from Iran, knew his SIM card #
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Tom Bowman
5 years
“If I had not been elected President of the United States, we would right now, in my opinion, be in a major war with North Korea.” Trump.....Hmmmm. Never heard that opinion from anyone.
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Tom Bowman
3 years
Talked to an #Afghan friend who’s in The US. He says relatives tried to get to the airport by bus over last two days. #Taliban checked all those on board with list they had — from the US, despite denials from #StateDepartment . He says no more buses allowed into airport
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Tom Bowman
7 months
Pentagon deploys a Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) battery as well as additional Patriot battalions to the MidEast to increase force protection for U.S. forces. Also more US forces on prepare to deploy orders. US already has 2,000 troops on such orders. #NPR #Israel
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Tom Bowman
8 months
A US F-16 shoots down a armed Turkish drone that flew repeatedly near US forces in NE Syria. US officials kept calling Turkish military, saying they would act in self defense and got no response.
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Tom Bowman
4 years
@juliaioffe Agree. Rather than send hundreds of reporters to a convention hall over the years to sit and listen to speeches, they should always have been sent to diners, and union halls and docks and farms and ranches and the back door of restaurants. This is what our craft is meant to do.
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Tom Bowman
3 years
@NPRinskeep The unwritten democratic constitution under which the Iroquois Confederacy operated since the 16th century was a model for the US. Just ask Benjamin Franklin. #studyhistory
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Tom Bowman
7 months
U.S. base at Abu Hajar Airport in NE Syria came under attack, DOD official tells #NPR . Two 122 mm rockets hit outside, one inside, no injuries. Separately between Oct. 17-18 21 U.S. personnel received minor injuries due to drone attacks in Iraq and Syria. All returned to duty.
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Tom Bowman
3 years
Three US #Marines wounded in blast at a #Kabul Airport gate. At least a dozen more wounded, likely a mix of US and #Afghans , says a US official. Number likely to rise. No sign yet of responsibility but #ISIS has threatened attacking the airport.
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Tom Bowman
4 years
Two U.S. service members were killed and two U.S. service members were wounded in action today when their vehicle struck an IED in Kandahar Province, Afghanistan. (Told they were conventional troops, though most killed over past twelve months have been Special Forces.)
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Tom Bowman
7 years
The NPR Team in Eastern Afghanistan back in 2011. We go far, sometimes in harm's way, to follow the news. #wemakenpr
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Tom Bowman
1 year
Three years ago I got a tip, about a cover up. It was “friendly fire” incident in Fallujah, Iraq in 2004 that killed two Marines and an Iraqi interpreter. Covered up, I was told, because the son of a prominent politician was involved. Please listen.
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Tom Bowman
3 years
@ExumAM “We’re now joined by our correspondents in London, Paris and Jerusalem...”
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Tom Bowman
10 months
Hearing that US will soon send F-35s to the MidEast region to counter uptick in Iranian activity against shipping. This follows more warships and a MEU.
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Tom Bowman
4 years
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Tom Bowman
2 years
Russian forces have yet to take any Ukraine city and are facing “stiff resistance,” says senior defense official.Russians about 18 miles north of Kyiv. Half the Russian combat power now in the country. Heaviest fighting around Kharkiv. Some 250 missiles fired, mostly short range.
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Tom Bowman
4 years
NYT reports that Russian intel offered bounty on US soldiers in Afghanistan. This comes years after Russian soldiers were training and offering arms to Taliban — even as far south as Helmand. Meanwhile, Russians increasing threats to US forces in NE Syria, sources tell NPR.
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Tom Bowman
4 years
A military source tells me DOD is spending hundreds of thousands of dollars moving troops to the DC area....And it had to divert flights either scheduled or intended for CENTCOM supply missions. Oh well.
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Tom Bowman
9 years
Sunrise at Big Sky, Montana. http://t.co/qiApLiM9c8
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Tom Bowman
3 years
@idreesali114 Not since 1947.
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Tom Bowman
9 years
Women A Step Closer To The Front Lines http://t.co/xMe2ASJhOF
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Tom Bowman
3 years
Just talked to a senior police official in Kabul. He says his police are still on the job but there is panic among the citizens. Worried about the way ahead. Also, there are some 70,000 to 88,000 interpreters and family members. A small number are out. What about the others?
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Tom Bowman
3 years
My new NPR sign off...
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Tom Bowman
2 years
Blinken: Standard for lifting sanctions is an 'irreversible' Russian withdrawal
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Tom Bowman
3 years
Afghan refugees in Germany bound for the US.
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Tom Bowman
7 years
So who takes the NSA job. Petraeus? Who also has set "conditions." Other names: Fran Townsend, Mac Thornberry, retired Army Gen Ray Odierno.
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Tom Bowman
6 months
During a air refueling mission as part of military training, a U.S. military aircraft carrying five service members suffered a mishap and crashed into the Mediterranean Sea. All five of the service members onboard the aircraft were killed. Search and rescue ops underway. #NPR
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Tom Bowman
4 years
@NPRinskeep @lourdesgnavarro Also, first graders will love Lewis and Clark heading out of St Louis on their quest to find a water route to the Pacific....Pick up Stephen Ambrose’s “Undaunted Courage” for details.
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Tom Bowman
4 years
The US Navy identities the three Sailors killed in Pensacola:   -Ensign Joshua Kaleb Watson, Student, 23, from Coffee, Alabama   -Airman Mohammed Sameh Haitham,, 19, from St. Petersburg, Florida   -Airmen Apprentice Cameron Scott 21, from Richmond Hill, Georgia
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Tom Bowman
4 months
Looks like 34 wounded and the number could rise. Many are traumatic brain injuries, though a few other wounds and serious: a shell fragment injury and a spinal injury.
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Tom Bowman
10 months
BREAKING: DOD says a squadron of U.S. Air Force F-35 Lightning IIs has arrived in the U.S. Central Command Area.”The F-35’s increased capacity and capability will allow the U.S. to fly in contested airspace” This follows uptick in Iranian activity toward shipping.
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Tom Bowman
6 years
With Dave Chappelle at NPR
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Tom Bowman
7 months
US engaged two drones in western Iraq. Destroyed one and damaged another, with some “coalition minor injuries.” US engaged another drone in northern Iraq and destroyed it. No injuries. #NPR #Israel
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Tom Bowman
5 years
Pentagon officials tell #NPR that #Afghanistan could also see US troop reductions, maybe sizable ones. Of course when #Trump approved troop increases last year he said his “instinct” was to pull out. Stay tuned.
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Tom Bowman
4 months
Capitol Hill source says Biden Administration officials told lawmakers the US/Brit strikes on Houthi targets in Yemen would “only disrupt Houthis for a few days or weeks.” Another official confirms NYT story saying Houthis retain “about three-quarters” of its capabilities. #NPR .
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Tom Bowman
4 years
@NatashaBertrand @jonathanvswan Ummm he said this on the record to NPR three weeks ago. “There's no role for the U.S. military in determining the outcome of a U.S. election. Zero. There is no role there."
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Tom Bowman
2 years
The 82nd Airborne troops that deployed to #Poland in early February will be extended by 90 days, a military official tells #NPR . Some of the 5,000 will return to Fort Bragg, though others will remain as NATO works to shore up its Eastern flank. #Ukraine
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Tom Bowman
2 years
Senior defense official on Ukraine’s use of US and NATO long-range artillery: Ukraine has taken out more than a hundred “high-value” targets, attacking Russian command posts, ammunition depots, air-defense sites, radar and communications nodes, and long-range artillery positions.
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Tom Bowman
2 years
Senior defense official: Russia is taking hundreds of casualties a day. Among Russia’s military fatalities are “thousands” of lieutenants and captains, “hundreds” of colonels, and “many” generals. “The chain of command is still struggling.” @npr .
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Tom Bowman
1 year
Mall shooter Mauricio Garcia was in basic training and Army staff "quickly identified he was a problem,” a Defense official tells NPR. Had a psych eval and was chaptered out for mental health after 3 months with a "uncharacterized discharge.” Why did this not pop In Texas?
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Tom Bowman
4 years
US mil assistance expected to head to San Antonio within next 48 hours to help with rise in coronavirus infections. Dozens of mil personnel.
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Tom Bowman
2 years
Happy Birthday Eve Tess!!!!! …21. Now we can send you out to buy wine. 😎
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Tom Bowman
3 years
From the Pentagon today: “fully vaccinated personnel are no longer required to wear a mask indoors or outdoors at DoD facilities.”
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Tom Bowman
2 years
Merry Christmas Eve!!!!!
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Tom Bowman
2 years
Ukrainian forces around the country’s second largest city #Kharkiv have pushed the Russians back to within about two miles of their border. Helped by American howitzers. Most of the 90 pledged are now “in the fight” around Ukraine. #UkraineWar #NPR
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Tom Bowman
9 years
Breakfast with Afghan Army. Zabul Province http://t.co/gk3LV1dlS2
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Tom Bowman
3 years
US drone strike hits a vehicle in #Kabul described as imminent #ISIS -K threat to airport. “We are confident we hit the target we were aiming for,” says US official. No indication of civ casualties. “Significant secondary explosions” indicate lots of explosives in vehicle.
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Tom Bowman
3 years
National Archives
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Tom Bowman
5 years
Library fines.. arrrgghh
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Tom Bowman
8 months
DOD and State brief lawmakers. US plans to use some PDA (Presidential Drawdown Authority) for Israel, and expecting Israel money to be requested in the supplemental. Israel’s requests for munitions have been for air defense, PGMs, (Precision Guided Munitions) and artillery. #NPR
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Tom Bowman
4 years
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Tom Bowman
4 years
Connoco oil facility, Syria. Former ISIS location.
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Tom Bowman
4 years
I’ll be happy when the day comes when breaking news regarding the Pentagon doesn’t come via Tweet...
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Tom Bowman
3 years
On second thought, the grunt said: “Who gives a f***k.” Wanted to make sure quote is accurate!
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Tom Bowman
3 years
The White House say Afghan interpreters and others should be able to get to the Kabul airport – despite the Taliban blocking access to airport. “The individuals we have prioritized … our expectation is that they will be able to reach the airport,” WH spokesman Psaki said.
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Tom Bowman
2 years
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Tom Bowman
4 years
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Tom Bowman
7 months
Drone attack at Al-Tanf base near Syria's borders with Iraq and Jordan, and a missile attack on the Conoco base, in Deir al-Zor region. Told their are minor injuries at Al-Tanf. This follows two drone attacks in western Iraq at Al Assad base. Also left minor injuries. #NPR #Gaza
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Tom Bowman
3 years
Afghan refugees. Italy
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Tom Bowman
2 years
Russia has sent in roughly 100 percent of its combat power, 127 battalions, says senior defense official. Russia has fired 625 missiles, airspace still contested. Kyiv, Khrakiv and Mariupol still fighting. Russia still trying to box in Ukrainian forces in the Donbass
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Tom Bowman
4 months
American officials say missiles fired from a US destroyer took out a Houthi radar site in Yemen. This is the second attack in as many nights. Last night there were 28 locations hit by US and British forces. 16 on the first wave and included radars, drone and missile sites. #NPR
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Tom Bowman
4 months
The drone strike on US troops in NE Jordan was at a logistics base called Tower 22, used to support the coalition special operators at Al Tanf base in Syria. Likely hit a barracks. Of the 25 wounded, many are being treated for traumatic brain injuries, officials tell #NPR .
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Tom Bowman
3 years
Sec State #Blinken said on CNN the US went to #Afghanistan with a sole mission to get bin Laden. Wrong! It was 20 years of nation building. Bush in April, 2002 at VMI talked about democracy for Afghans, a Marshall Plan. His successors continued to build army, police, ministries.
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Tom Bowman
4 years
@NPRinskeep We’re all going feral Steve!
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Tom Bowman
7 years
via @npr : Not A Random Attack: New Details Emerge From Investigation Of Slain NPR Journalists
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Tom Bowman
4 years
Happy National Daughter Day!!!!!
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Tom Bowman
2 years
Russian forces continue to advance and isolate Kyiv, Kharkhiv and Chernihiv across the N and E are met with strong Ukrainian resistance, says a senior defense official. 95 Percent of Russian forces encircling Ukraine are in the country and 600 Russian missiles fired so far. #NPR
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Tom Bowman
3 years
Back in May 2013 with Afghan commandos.
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Tom Bowman
2 years
Glencoe, Scotland
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Tom Bowman
9 years
via @nprnews : They Survived Training, Now Female Marines Await Word On Ground Combat http://t.co/p2BFdclGnF
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Tom Bowman
1 year
Ukraine is expected to begin its counteroffensive soon and the new DOD assistance package includes aid to help in that effort. Tank rounds, drones. mine-clearing equipment, demolition munitions. Those will all be vital in pushing through the vast Russian defenses.
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Tom Bowman
2 years
Brits say that while Ukraine still holds Kharkiv, Sumy, N of Kharkiv, Chernihiv and Maripoul, it’s “highly likely” that all four are “encircled by Russian forces.” Kyiv is being pressed for the NW and three lines from the NE. US officials warn of massive attacks on Kyiv soon.
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Tom Bowman
1 year
Taking Cover : NPR…Coming Thursday. Why was the worst Marine-on-Marine friendly fire covered up in Iraq? We go up the chain of command to find out. Some senior officers talked, some wouldn’t. Coming Thursday. Please listen….
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Tom Bowman
3 years
Afghan refugees in Italy, waiting to head to the US.
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Tom Bowman
8 years
Clinton: more support for Kurds and Arabs. What kind of support? Shoulder fired missiles? Silence from #Matt Lauer. Clinton: #experience .
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Tom Bowman
1 year
Listen on Thursday. We go to Baghdad to talk with Shehab’s family and to Fallujah to visit the schoolhouse where the friendly fire occurred, meeting with sheikhs who lived through the violence.
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Anas Ebraheem
1 year
I can’t wait to hear the final episode of (Taking Cover), the story of Shehab affected me very hard. I worked with the US Army back in Iraq and your story brought back memories. I hope you got to his family. @GPublic @TBowmanNPR
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Tom Bowman
6 months
The destroyer USS Carney  responded to distress calls from 3 commercial ships in Red Sea, ended up shooting down 3 drones. Minor damage to 3 vessels, no casualties. 4th time since the war began that the Carney has shot down drones or missiles fired from Houthis in Yemen. #NPR
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