Craig Whitlock

Washington, D.C.

Investigative reporter

Education: Duke University, AB in history

Craig Whitlock is an investigative reporter who specializes in national security issues. He has covered the Pentagon, served as the Berlin bureau chief and reported from more than 60 countries. He joined The Washington Post in 1998.
Latest from Craig Whitlock

Retired NSA director won lucrative consulting deals with Saudis, Japan

Retired Army Gen. Keith Alexander won federal approval to serve as $700,000 cyberwarfare adviser to Saudi Arabia after 2018 death of Jamal Khashoggi

April 25, 2023

Former top U.S. admiral cashes in on nuclear sub deal with Australia

The Australian government has hired a dozen retired U.S. Navy officers as high-dollar consultants while it negotiates a nuclear sub deal with Washington

March 7, 2023

Fearing scandal, Air Force blocked generals’ foreign consulting deals

The two generals oversaw key U.S. supply routes through Azerbaijan and later negotiated deals there to earn as much as $5,000 a day in retirement.

December 6, 2022

Lawmakers press Pentagon for answers about veterans’ foreign jobs

Lawmakers said they were alarmed by a Post investigation that found hundreds of retired military personnel have taken lucrative jobs for foreign governments.

December 5, 2022

Key findings from The Post’s series on veterans’ lucrative foreign jobs

For two years, U.S. government lawyers fought The Washington Post's FOIA requests for documents detailing foreign work by retired troops.

December 5, 2022

The retired military cashing in with repressive governments

A new Washington Post investigation has uncovered the fact that hundreds of veterans have taken lucrative foreign jobs — often for countries with known human rights abuses. U.S. officials approved these contracts — but fought to keep them secret.

October 18, 2022

    U.S. vets cash in with nations known for abuses

    Investigative reporter Craig Whitlock explains how hundreds of U.S. veterans haven taken lucrative jobs with foreign countries known for human rights abuses.

    October 18, 2022

    ‘Father of American Navy’ helmed Russian ship for Catherine the Great

    The “Father of the American Navy” commanded a Russian warship but said he had not forsaken the United States.

    October 18, 2022

    Retired U.S. generals, admirals take top jobs with Saudi crown prince

    Hundreds of veterans have taken lucrative foreign jobs that U.S. officials approved – but fought to keep secret.

    October 18, 2022

    Former U.S. Navy leaders profited from overlapping interests on sub deal

    Some retired U.S. admirals have worked for the Australian government while simultaneously consulting for the U.S. Navy, including on classified programs.

    October 18, 2022