Natasha Bertrand - Correspondent
Natasha Bertrand
Correspondent
Natasha Bertrand is a correspondent covering national security for CNN based in Washington, D.C.
Latest
Biden administration approves sending anti-personnel mines to Ukraine in another major policy shift
Nov 20, 2024
The Biden administration has approved sending anti-personnel mines to Ukraine for the first time in another major policy shift, Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin confirmed on Wednesday.
Biden authorizes Ukraine to use long-range US weapons in Russia
Nov 18, 2024
President Joe Biden has authorized Ukraine to use powerful long-range American weapons inside Russia, according to two US officials familiar with the decision, as North Korean troops deploy in support of Moscow’s effort.
Lebanon ceasefire talks intensify as Hezbollah considers new US-Israeli proposal
Nov 16, 2024
Hezbollah is considering a US-Israeli ceasefire proposal, sources told CNN, as diplomatic efforts to end the conflict between Israel and the Lebanese militant group intensify.
American fighter pilots explain how they fought an overwhelming Iranian drone swarm in total darkness
Nov 15, 2024
When F-15 fighter pilot Maj. Benjamin “Irish” Coffey launched his jet one night last spring, he wasn’t expecting to run out of missiles fighting off a massive Iranian attack against Israel.
Pentagon officials discussing how to respond if Trump issues controversial orders
Nov 9, 2024
Pentagon officials are holding informal discussions about how the Department of Defense would respond if Donald Trump issues orders to deploy active-duty troops domestically and fire large swaths of apolitical staffers, defense officials told CNN.
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These are the scenarios the Pentagon is gaming out once President Trump takes office
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Nov 8, 2024
CNN’s Natasha Bertrand reports on informal discussions at the Pentagon about how the Department of Defense would respond if Donald Trump issues orders to deploy active-duty troops domestically and fire large swaths of apolitical staffers.
Biden administration to allow American military contractors to deploy to Ukraine for first time since Russia’s invasion
Nov 8, 2024
The Biden administration has lifted a de facto ban on American military contractors deploying to Ukraine to help the country’s military maintain and repair US-provided weapons systems, particularly F16 fighter jets and Patriot air defense systems, an official with direct knowledge of the plan told CNN.
North Korea likely to ask for nuclear technology from Russia in exchange for troops, South Korea says
Oct 30, 2024
The North Koreans are “very likely to ask” Moscow for advanced technology related to nuclear weapons in exchange for deploying troops to help Russia in its war against Ukraine, South Korean Defense Minister Kim Yong Hyun said at the Pentagon on Wednesday.
Small number of North Korean troops are already inside Ukraine, officials say
Oct 30, 2024
A small number of North Korean troops are already inside Ukraine, according to two western intelligence officials, and officials expect that number to grow as the North Koreans complete training in eastern Russia and move toward the frontlines of the war.
At least 3,000 North Korean soldiers now inside Russia, US says
Oct 23, 2024
At least 3,000 North Korean soldiers arrived in eastern Russia this month, the White House said Wednesday, and while it remains unclear what exactly they will do, it is a “highly concerning probability” that they will join the fight against Ukraine.
Defense Secretary Austin visits Ukraine amid Russian gains and ahead of imminent US election
Oct 21, 2024
Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin arrived in Kyiv early Monday morning, as the future of US aid to Ukraine hangs in the balance of the imminent US presidential election and as Russia continues to make small but steady gains on the battlefield.
Leaked documents show US intelligence on Israel’s plans to attack Iran, sources say
Oct 20, 2024
The US is investigating a leak of highly classified US intelligence about Israel’s plans for retaliation against Iran, according to three people familiar with the matter. One of the people familiar confirmed the documents’ authenticity.
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What sources are telling CNN about leaked US intelligence on Israel’s plans to attack Iran
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Oct 19, 2024
CNN’s Natasha Bertrand reports on the the leaked documents that show US intelligence on Israel’s plans to attack Iran.
US election looms over NATO discussions to Trump-proof Ukraine aid
Oct 18, 2024
The imminent US presidential election hung over a meeting of NATO defense chiefs this week, as NATO allies braced for US support for Ukraine to shrink over the next year if Donald Trump wins even as Iran, North Korea and China step up their military aid to Russia.
US B-2 bombers strike Iran-backed Houthis in Yemen
Oct 17, 2024
The US carried out a round of strikes in Yemen against the Iran-backed Houthis on Wednesday evening, according to Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin, targeting five underground weapons storage facilities using B-2 stealth bombers.
US suggests military aid to Israel is at risk in letter demanding more aid for Gaza
Oct 16, 2024
The Biden administration sent a letter to the Israeli government demanding it act to improve the humanitarian situation in Gaza within the next 30 days or risk violating US laws governing foreign military assistance, suggesting US military aid could be in jeopardy.
About
Natasha Bertrand is a correspondent covering national security for CNN based in Washington, D.C.
Bertrand’s robust coverage includes breaking a variety of stories like the widespread use of dumb bombs by Israel in Gaza and the extent of secrecy surrounding Secretary Austin’s hospitalization. Bertrand also played a vital role on the team that broke the story of the missing Russian intelligence binder under former President Donald Trump, and was part of the team that won an Emmy for coverage of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine where she was reporting on the ground from NATO.
Previously, Bertrand covered national security and politics for POLITICO, The Atlantic and Business Insider. She graduated from Vassar College in 2014 with a dual degree in political science and philosophy.
