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CNN NationalSecurity @NatSecCNN

News from CNN’s National Security team: @Kylieatwood, @NatashaBertrand, @KatieBoLillis, @ZcohenCNN, @snlyngaas, @jmhansler & @halbritz

Joined June 2009
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Exclusive Iran sealed uranium cache and placed mines amid fears of US operation to seize material, sources familiar with US intelligence tell @KatieBoLillis @ZcohenCNN @NatashaBertrand @davis_winkie cnn.com/2026/06/13/politics/…

Exclusive: Iran sealed uranium cache and placed mines amid fears of US operation to seize material...

In recent weeks, Iran has dramatically escalated efforts to seal off its cache of near bomb-grade uranium, deliberately collapsing tunnels and booby-trapping entrances with explosive mines, according...

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Exclusive: US military rushed to prepare ground mission to capture Iran’s uranium, but Trump paused it, sources tell @NatashaBertrand & @ZcohenCNN cnn.com/2026/06/12/politics/…

Exclusive: US military rushed to prepare ground mission to capture Iran’s uranium, but Trump paused...

The US’ top general made a secret, rushed visit to US Central Command headquarters in Florida late last month to be briefed in person on plans for the US military to send ground troops into Iran to...

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Exclusive video obtained by CNN shows extensive damage on the USS Gerald Ford, after the ship's fire control system failed, sources say. One sailor told CNN that it was "either fight or die" during the battle to stop the fire. @BrianToddCNN and team report cnn.com/2026/06/04/politics/…

Exclusive: Video reveals damage from fire on US aircraft carrier after sources say fire control...

When a fire burned aboard the world’s biggest aircraft carrier in March as it took part in operations against Iran, the US Navy released a short statement saying the blaze had been “contained,” that...

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Exclusive: CIA escalates secret war on cartels with deadly operations inside Mexico. @NatashaBertrand @ZcohenCNN reports cnn.com/2026/05/12/politics/…

Exclusive: CIA escalates secret war on cartels with deadly operations inside Mexico | CNN Politics

Since last year, CIA operatives inside Mexico have directly participated in deadly attacks on several, mostly mid-level cartel members, the sources said.

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CNN gets an inside look at how the US military is looking to protect medical personnel and facilities from the constant threat of drones. @halbritz has exclusive access to a highly realistic Army exercise cnn.com/interactive/2026/05/…

US military looks underground to protect wounded troops as drones force changes to wartime medicine

US military looks underground to protect wounded troops as drones force changes to wartime medicine

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Balancing act: The general at the center of Trump’s plans for potential strikes on Iran skirts conflict with the president while prepping for war @NatashaBertrand @ZcohenCNN & @halbritz report cnn.com/2026/02/25/politics/…

Balancing act: Top general tries to avoid conflict with Trump while preparing for possible war with...

As Chairman of the Joint Chiefs Gen. Dan Caine has been drafting military options for potentially striking Iran, a steady stream of top officials from the Army, Navy and Air Force have been quietly...

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EXCLUSIVE: Navy secretary John Phelan listed as passenger on Jeffrey Epstein’s private plane in 2006, @halbritz reports cnn.com/2026/02/06/politics/…

Exclusive: Navy secretary John Phelan listed as passenger on Jeffrey Epstein’s private plane in...

Secretary of the Navy John Phelan is named on a flight manifest found among millions of documents related to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein that have been released in recent months, showing...

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On the verge of strikes in Iran, the US held off. What happens next is up to Trump @Kevinliptakcnn @ZcohenCNN @alaynatreene @KristenhCNN report cnn.com/2026/01/15/politics/…

On the verge of strikes in Iran, the US held off. What happens next is up to Trump | CNN Politics

Emerging on Tuesday from a late-night Situation Room meeting to discuss options for striking Iran, some of President Donald Trump’s top national security officials were relatively sure a decision on...

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Exclusive: Top lawyer for military joint chiefs told chairman that officers should retire if faced with an unlawful order - @NatashaBertrand & @ZcohenCNN report cnn.com/2025/12/19/politics/…

Exclusive: Top lawyer for military joint chiefs told chairman that officers should retire if faced...

How should a military commander respond if they determine they have received an unlawful order?

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‘Enemy KIA’: Trump revives playbook from Afghanistan for campaign targeting alleged drug boats. Great reporting by @ZcohenCNN and team cnn.com/2025/11/14/politics/…

‘Enemy KIA’: Trump revives playbook from Afghanistan for campaign targeting alleged drug boats |...

Deep below the US Capitol, in a secure room meant to protect discussions of American secrets, a wave of sarcastic laughter spread among lawmakers and staff members who were assembled to receive a...

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Exclusive: UK stops sharing some intel with US over concerns about legality of US military strikes on alleged drug boats, sources tell CNN's @NatashaBertrand cnn.com/2025/11/11/politics/…
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The Pentagon has given the White House the green light to provide Ukraine with long-range Tomahawk missiles after assessing that it would not impact US stockpiles, leaving the final decision in Trump’s hands, sources tell @NatashaBertrand & @ZcohenCNN cnn.com/2025/10/31/politics/…

Pentagon cleared giving Ukraine long-range Tomahawk missiles, leaving final decision to Trump | CNN...

The Pentagon has given the White House the green light to provide Ukraine with long-range Tomahawk missiles after assessing that it would not negatively impact US stockpiles, leaving the final...

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Exclusive: A three-star general serving on the Pentagon’s Joint Staff has been pushed out of his position following months of sustained tensions with Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, sources tell @NatashaBertrand & @ZcohenCNN cnn.com/2025/10/29/politics/…

Exclusive: Three-star general pushed out amid tensions with Hegseth | CNN Politics

A three-star general serving on the Pentagon’s Joint Staff has been pushed out of his position following months of sustained tensions with Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, according to people...

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SCOOP: National Guard orders in DC extended through February 2026, sources tell @NatashaBertrand cnn.com/2025/10/29/politics/…

Exclusive: National Guard orders in DC extended through February 2026 | CNN Politics

National Guard troops deployed in Washington, DC will remain mobilized in the city at least through February 2026, according to people familiar with the Guard’s orders.

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National Guard troops deployed in DC are expected to have their military orders extended through December, a senior official familiar with the planning told CNN's @halbritz reports cnn.com/2025/09/02/politics/…

National Guard orders in DC expected to be extended through December to ensure troop benefits,...

National Guard troops deployed in Washington, DC, as part of President Donald Trump’s anti-crime initiative are expected to have their military orders extended through December, a senior official...

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Frustration boils over as Pentagon faces backlash over slow reinstatement of troops who refused Covid vaccine, @halbritz reports cnn.com/2025/09/02/politics/…

Pentagon facing its own Covid vaccine controversy | CNN Politics

Frustration is boiling over among some members of the military community who are unhappy with the Pentagon’s process for reinstating service members discharged under the Biden administration for...

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NEWS: US deploying over 4,000 additional troops to waters around Latin America as part of Trump’s counter-cartel mission, @NatashaBertrand reports cnn.com/2025/08/15/politics/…

US military deploying over 4,000 additional troops to waters around Latin America as part of...

The US military is deploying more than 4,000 Marines and sailors to the waters around Latin America and the Caribbean as part of a ramped-up effort to combat drug cartels, two US defense officials...

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About 500 Marines being mobilized in response to LA protests, sources tell CNN's @NatashaBertrand & @halbritz cnn.com/us/live-news/la-prot…

LA protesters and police in standoff as Trump doubles National Guard deployment | CNN

Protesters and police are still facing off in Los Angeles, and anti-ICE protests have occurred across the country. Follow for live updates

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NEW: Hegseth orders Pentagon to cut number of senior generals by 20%, @halbritz & @NatashaBertrand report cnn.com/2025/05/05/politics/…

Hegseth orders Pentagon to cut number of senior generals by 20% | CNN Politics

Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth has ordered senior Pentagon leadership to cut the number of four-star generals and admirals by at least 20% across the military, according to a memo signed by...

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The Trump admin has tightly restricted the number of people who have access to President Trump’s highly classified daily intelligence report, known as the PDB @KatieBoLillis @kylieatwood & @ZcohenCNN report cnn.com/2025/04/10/politics/…

Trump administration has tightly restricted access to president’s daily intelligence brief | CNN...

The Trump administration has tightly restricted the number of people who have access to President Trump’s highly classified daily intelligence report, five sources familiar with the move told CNN.

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