Paul Sonne

Washington, D.C.

National security reporter focusing on the U.S. military Education: Columbia University, BA in Russian language and literature; University of Oxford, New College, MPhil in Russian and East European studies Paul Sonne is a national security reporter for The Washington Post, where he covers the U.S. military and writes about defense policy at the Pentagon. He joined The Post's National desk in 2018 after nearly nine years as a correspondent for the Wall Street Journal in Moscow, London and Washington, most recently covering national security from the D.C. bureau. As Moscow correspondent for the Journal, he covered Vladimir Putin, the 2014 Winter Olympics and the conflict in Ukraine. Before that, Sonne wrote political, general news and corporate stories out of the Journal's bureau in London. He started his career as an intern for the New York Times and the Associated Press. Sonne graduated from Columbia University with a degree in Russian literature and received his master’s from the University of Oxford, where he studied Russian history and politics as a Marshall Scholar. Honors & Awards:

Overseas Press Club Malcolm Forbes Award for best international business reporting, 2011
Society of American Business Editors and Writers Best in Business Awards, 2011
Overseas Press Club Stan Swinton Scholarship, 2008

Languages spoken in addition to English: Russian

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Latest from Paul Sonne

National Security

After troops leave Afghanistan, U.S. will face challenges maintaining counterterrorism capability

Ensuring al-Qaeda and other terrorists can’t regroup will be hampered by diminished intelligence and the distant basing of U.S. forces.

Apr 17, 2021

National Security

Pelosi taps commander of D.C. Guard to become House sergeant-at-arms

Maj. Gen. William J. Walker, a former top DEA official, would become the first African American to occupy the post tasked with overseeing the chamber’s security.

Mar 26, 2021

National Security

Army initially pushed to deny District’s request for National Guard before Jan. 6

In a draft memo, the Army argued the U.S. military shouldn’t be needed unless more than 100,000 demonstrators were expected and all other federal resources had been exhausted.

Mar 16, 2021

National Security

U.S. sanctions Ihor Kolomoisky, one of Ukraine’s most powerful tycoons

The State Department said the Ukrainian was involved in “significant corruption” while serving as a regional governor from 2014 to 2015.

Mar 5, 2021

National Security

D.C. Guard chief says ‘unusual’ restrictions slowed deployment of backup during Capitol riot

Two Senate committees heard testimony from four officials Wednesday.

Mar 3, 2021

National Security

Pentagon: U.S. strike on Syrian compound killed one fighter, wounded two more

The Defense Department said its strike on a border crossing station in eastern Syria led to the deaths of one fighter and wounded two others, in addition to destroying nine buildings.

Mar 1, 2021

National Security

Biden administration takes more cooperative approach to its first high-level NATO meeting

Official describes “four years of trauma” during the Trump era. But alliance still faces questions about future troop presence in Afghanistan and other thorny issues.

Feb 16, 2021

National Security

Seeking to combat extremists in ranks, the military struggles to answer a basic question: How many are there?

A lack of data on supporters of far-right movements is one of the systemic challenges facing the Pentagon.

Feb 9, 2021

National Security

United States extends nuclear treaty with Russia for five years

Washington’s formal extension of the New START pact comes days after Russian President Vladimir Putin signed a bill extending the accord.

Feb 3, 2021

National Security

As he tackles extremism, Lloyd Austin draws on military’s experience dealing with 1995 racially motivated murders

The defense secretary was a lieutenant colonel at Fort Bragg in 1995 when soldiers revealed to be neo-Nazis murdered a Black man and woman in nearby Fayetteville.

Jan 31, 2021

About Paul Sonne

Paul Sonne is a national security reporter for The Washington Post, where he covers the U.S. military and writes about defense policy at the Pentagon. He joined The Post's National desk in 2018 after nearly nine years as a correspondent for the Wall Street Journal in Moscow, London and Washington, most recently covering national security from the D.C. bureau. As Moscow correspondent for the Journal, he covered Vladimir Putin, the 2014 Winter Olympics and the conflict in Ukraine. Before that, Sonne wrote political, general news and corporate stories out of the Journal's bureau in London. He started his career as an intern for the New York Times and the Associated Press. Sonne graduated from Columbia University with a degree in Russian literature and received his master’s from the University of Oxford, where he studied Russian history and politics as a Marshall Scholar.