Travis Allen

About the author

is a former US Army Infantry Officer. While a Platoon Leader in Afghanistan, he was part of a joint Special Forces/Infantry team conducting Village Stability Operations in Kandahar Province. Travis graduated from the US Military Academy at West Point in 2010.

Former Infantry Officer’s take on what female infantrymen will mean for a rifle platoon

With the graduation of 18 women from the U.S. Army’s Infantry basic training last week, another landmark has been achieved as the Department of Defense seeks to integrate women into combat occupational specialties that had previously been off-limits to female service members. Check out photos from the First Gender-Integrated Infantry One Station Unit Training https://t.co/0ycvLAdkjF […]

Trump speaks of unity, ‘principled realism’ between U.S. and Muslim world

In a landmark address to major leaders of the Arab and Muslim world this weekend, President Trump spoke of a renewed relationship between the U.S. and the Muslim world, united in a fight against extremism, and bound by the concept of ‘principled realism.’ Speaking in Saudi Arabia in a grand ballroom before the assembled representatives […]

Protesters beat by members of Turkey presidential security detail in Washington D.C.

A brawl between supporters of President Erdogan of Turkey and his critics erupted in Washington D.C. on Tuesday, drawing sharp criticism from political leaders in the United States. 11 people were wounded in the melee, including a police officer, as the pro-Erdogan group rushed an organized protest outside of the Turkish embassy. Two Secret Service […]

Merkel reconsidering troops in Turkey after MPs blocked from Incirlik – again

German Chancellor Angela Merkel said her country should reconsider stationing troops in Turkey, in the latest diplomatic row between the two major NATO allies. Germany has hundreds of soldiers deployed at the Incirlik air base in southern Turkey as part of Germany’s contributions to the fight against the Islamic State. On a recent trip to […]

Facebook threatened with lawsuit over video of Thai King in crop top

The government of Thailand has demanded that Facebook remove all links and mentions to an embarrassing video which seems to depict their king, sporting an effeminate crop top which expose his tattoos, walking through a German shopping center. The video was taken last year but has gained momentum in the past few weeks. As such, […]

U.S. Coast Guard intercepts zero Cuban migrants since April 1st

The U.S. Coast Guard has released new statistics which indicate a historic drop in Cuban migration since the decision by former President Barack Obama to end the long-standing “Wet Foot, Dry Foot” policy in January. Since April 1st of this year, the Coast Guard has intercepted zero migrants attempting to flee Cuba and land on […]

Renowned journalist murdered by gunmen in Mexico

Javier Valdez, an award-winning journalist known for his investigatory reporting on cartels and drug trafficking inside Mexico, was gunned down yesterday in Sinaloa, near where he lived and worked. “Even though you may have bullet-proofing and bodyguards, [the gangs] will decide what day they are going to kill you.” Valdez had once said, referring to […]

Arming Kurds in Syria looms over Trump-Erdogan meeting in White House

President of Turkey Tayyip Erdogan will meet with U.S. President Donald Trump in the White House today, a highly-anticipated meeting between the two leaders of a critical relationship in the Global War on Terror that has been hindered lately by policy decisions from both countries. Certain to be at the top of the list for […]

Syrian army exploiting territory lost by Islamic State forces

Military forces from the regime of Bashar al-Assad, along with Iranian-sponsored militias, are moving quickly to capture territory abandoned by the Islamic State as they retreat in the face of the U.S.-led coalition’s campaign in Syria, Reuters reports. Syrian rebel commanders reported on the government troop movements Monday, saying Assad forces were moving quickly with […]

Private Chelsea Manning to remain on active duty, receive health care and other benefits

Private Chelsea Manning will remain on active duty in the military, to include receiving health care benefits, after being released from prison on Wednesday, the Army told USA Today. Private Manning will not receive active duty pay, but will have access to full military health care and other benefits afforded to active duty soldiers. “Pvt. Manning […]