Thomas E. Ricks covered the U.S. military from 1991 to 2008 for the Wall Street Journal and then the Washington Post. He can be reached at [email protected].
President Barack Obama meets with staff in the Oval Office, prior to his meeting with Sen. John Kerry, D-Mass., July 28, 2010. Pictured, from left, are Louisa Terrell, Deputy National Security Advisor Tom Donilon, Phil Schiliro, assistant to the President for legislative affairs, and Brian McKeon. (Official White House Photo by Pete Souza)
This official White House photograph is being made available only for publication by news organizations and/or for personal use printing by the subject(s) of the photograph. The photograph may not be manipulated in any way and may not be used in commercial or political materials, advertisements, emails, products, promotions that in any way suggests approval or endorsement of the President, the First Family, or the White House.
Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump joins in the lighting of a ceremonial diva candle during a Hindu political organization's anti-terror fundraiser, October 15, 2016, in Edison, NJ. / AFP / DOMINICK REUTER (Photo credit should read DOMINICK REUTER/AFP/Getty Images)
Defense Intelligence Agency Director Lieutenant General Michael Flynn testifies before the House Select Intelligence Committee on worldwide threats in the House Visitors Center of the US Capitol on February 4, 2014 in Washington, DC. AFP PHOTO/Mandel NGAN (Photo credit should read MANDEL NGAN/AFP/Getty Images)
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Pacific Ocean (July 18, 2004) – The amphibious dock landing ship USS Rushmore (LSD 47) heads out to sea after dispatching Amphibious Assault Vehicles (AAV) during a mechanized amphibious raid in support of exercise Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) 2004. RIMPAC is the largest international maritime exercise in the waters around the Hawaiian Islands. This year's exercise includes seven participating nations; Australia, Canada, Chile, Japan, South Korea, the United Kingdom and the United States. RIMPAC is intended to enhance the tactical proficiency of participating units in a wide array of combined operations at sea, while enhancing stability in the Pacific Rim region. U.S. Navy photo by Photographer's Mate 1st Class Jane West (RELEASED) For more information go to: http://www.cpf.navy.mil/RIMPAC2004/
In this photograph taken on November 16, 2016, Pakistani Army General Qamar Javed Bajwa arrives to attend a military exercise on the Indian border in Khairpure Tamay Wali in Bahawalpur district.
Pakistan on November 26 appointed General Qamar Javed Bajwa as the country's powerful new chief of army staff, the prime minister's office said. / AFP / SS MIRZA (Photo credit should read SS MIRZA/AFP/Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC - SEPTEMBER 09: Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump addresses a rally against the Iran nuclear deal on the West Lawn of the U.S. Capitol September 9, 2015 in Washington, DC. Thousands of people gathered for the rally, organized by the Tea Party Patriots, which featured conservative pundits and politicians. (Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)
BEDMINSTER TOWNSHIP, NJ - NOVEMBER 19: (L to R) President-elect Donald Trump welcomes retired United States Marine Corps general James Mattis as they pose for a photo before their meeting at Trump International Golf Club, November 19, 2016 in Bedminster Township, New Jersey. Trump and his transition team are in the process of filling cabinet and other high level positions for the new administration. (Photo by Drew Angerer/Getty Images)
