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2008 DECEMBER
Dec. 31, 2008
Conversation
Israel Aims to Curb Rocket Fire, Weapons Smuggling in Gaza
Fighting continued between Israel and the Hamas-ruled Gaza Strip Wednesday, with Israel destroying key underground tunnels. A top Israeli defense official discusses the situation.

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Dec. 29, 2008
Analysis
As Inauguration Day Draws Near, Obama's Foreign Policy Challenges Grow
The Mumbai terror attacks and this month's Gaza conflict have highlighted the many foreign policy issues President-elect Barack Obama will face as soon as he takes office. Columnists discuss how the president-elect and his team may prioritize the problems.

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Dec. 29, 2008
Conversation
Israeli, Palestinian Officials Outline Views on Gaza Battle
As Israel continues strikes on Hamas targets in Gaza amid rocket fire, Israeli Ambassador Sallai Meridor and U.N. Palestinian Observer Riyad Mansour discuss the conflict.

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Dec. 29, 2008
Update
Ugandan Rebels Kill Nearly 200 in Northeast Congo
Facing a new military campaign aimed at ending their 20-year war, Ugandan Lord's Resistance Army rebels have launched a series of attacks that have killed nearly 200 people in northeastern Democratic Republic of Congo, the U.N. reported Monday.


Dec. 26, 2008
Update
Pakistani Troops Amass at Indian Border as Tensions Grow
Pakistan began moving thousands of troops to the Indian border Friday, raising tensions that have already been simmering since last month's attacks in Mumbai, India.


Dec. 26, 2008
Update
Israel Opens Gaza Border Despite Rocket Fire
Israel opened three border crossings into Gaza Friday, allowing in fuel and other goods for the first time in 10 days, as militants fired another round of rockets into Israel.


Dec. 25, 2008
Analysis
Local Militias to Help Battle Growing Taliban Resistance in Afghanistan
U.S. and Afghan leaders are preparing to arm local militia groups to help curb rising Taliban violence in Afghanistan. The strategy comes from similar successful efforts in Iraq. Dexter Filkins of the New York Times reports on the development.

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Dec. 25, 2008
Update
Guinea Officials Surrender as Junta Chief Claims Presidency
Guinea's prime minister and about 30 other government leaders surrendered Thursday at an army barracks, as Capt. Moussa Camara, the head of a military coup, declared himself the new leader of the western African country.


Dec. 22, 2008
Update
U.S. to Send Up to 30,000 More Troops to Afghanistan
Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Adm. Mike Mullen said over the weekend that the United States would send an additional 20,000 to 30,000 forces to Afghanistan by summer as violence in the country continued to rise.


Dec. 19, 2008
Update
Hamas Ends Six-Month Truce With Israel; Egypt Urges Restraint
Hamas leaders in Gaza declared an end to a troubled six-month truce with Israel and vowed to respond to any attack, as Egypt -- which helped broker the ceasefire -- called for restraint on Friday.


Dec. 18, 2008
Update
Planner of Rwandan Massacres Gets Life Sentence
A U.N. tribunal convicted a senior Rwandan military officer Thursday of orchestrating Africa's largest genocide in modern history and sentenced him to life in prison for masterminding the deaths of thousands of Tutsis and moderate Hutus in 1994.


Dec. 17, 2008
Analysis
U.N. Takes New Steps to Curb Somalia's Pirates
After several recent pirate attacks, the U.N. Security Council authorized land and air operations to help stop the flow of the fighters from bases in Somalia. Experts examine the ramifications of the U.N. action.

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Dec. 17, 2008
Update
British Troops to Withdraw From Iraq by Mid-2009
British Prime Minister Gordon Brown announced Wednesday that British troops will withdraw from Iraq by the end of July 2009, ending a mission that that provided the second-largest military presence in the country after the U.S.


Dec. 15, 2008
Analysis
Bush's Final Iraq Visit Prompts Mixed Responses
President Bush ended his farewell trip to Iraq and Afghanistan on Monday, where he met with officials about security matters and visited U.S. troops stationed in both conflict zones. Two Middle East analysts discuss the Bush administration's legacy in Iraq.

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Dec. 15, 2008
Update
Bush Wraps up War Zone Visits Marred by Shoe Incident
President Bush has wrapped up a final surprise visit to the war zones of Iraq and Afghanistan to tout recent gains in the region, but the contentious nature of his valedictory trip was highlighted by an Iraqi reporter's shoe-throwing outburst.


Dec. 12, 2008
Report
Soldiers Honored With Silver Stars Following Extraordinary Battle in Afghanistan
Ten elite Army soldiers who subdued a large insurgent stronghold in the mountains of Afghanistan after a nearly seven-hour battle were honored Friday with Silver Stars. Ray Suarez reports on the extraordinary battle.

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Dec. 12, 2008
Update
Pakistan Cracks Down on Islamic Charity as Mumbai Probe Grows
Pakistan closed offices and arrested activists from an Islamic charity believed to be a front for a militant group, officials said Friday, as international pressure grew for increased action against militants blamed for the Mumbai, India, attacks.


Dec. 8, 2008
Update
Judge to Consider Sept. 11 Suspects' Confession Offers
The alleged architect of the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks, Khalid Sheikh Mohammed, and four other suspects said Monday they would plead guilty to terror charges knowing their convictions would carry the death penalty. A Miami Herald reporter examines the developments.

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Dec. 8, 2008
Update
Government Pursues Charges Against Blackwater Guards in Iraqis' Deaths
Federal charges against five Blackwater Worldwide guards were unsealed Monday in relation to a 2007 incident in Baghdad that left 14 Iraqis dead and another 20 injured. NPR reporter Dina Temple-Raston discusses the charges and the legal strategy on both sides.

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Dec. 8, 2008
Update
Blackwater Guards Charged With Manslaughter in Shooting Deaths of Iraqis
Blackwater Worldwide security guards fired on innocent Iraqis with a machine gun and launched a grenade into a girls' school during a gruesome Baghdad shooting in 2007, prosecutors said Monday in announcing manslaughter charges against five guards.


Dec. 5, 2008
Update
U.S. Calls for Zimbabwe's Mugabe to Resign as Power-sharing Deal Falters
U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice increased pressure on Zimbabwe's President Robert Mugabe to leave office after his government stalled on a power-sharing deal with the opposition party.


Dec. 5, 2008
Forum
Mumbai After the Attacks
The recent terrorist attacks in Mumbai, India, took more than 170 lives and have stirred anger at both India's government and neighboring Pakistan.


Dec. 4, 2008
Insider Forum
Obama to Face Lengthy Foreign Policy To-Do List
Recent attacks in Mumbai, India, mark the newest foreign policy issue that the incoming Obama administration will face, along with wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, and other hotspots. So what are the foreign policy challenges facing the president-elect and what issues should he look at first? Experts answered your questions.

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FUNDED IN PART BY: The Knight Foundation


Dec. 3, 2008
Update
As Thousands Protest Indian Government, Rice Tells Pakistan to Aid Attacks Probe
U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice said Wednesday that Pakistan has a "special responsibility" to cooperate with the probe into last week's attacks in Mumbai as protesters took to the streets to voice dissatisfaction with India's government.


Dec. 1, 2008
Update
President-elect Obama Retains Gates as Defense Secretary
President-elect Barack Obama has decided to retain Robert Gates as defense secretary, signaling his desire to have operational continuity and stability in the Pentagon as the United States fights two wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.


Dec. 1, 2008
Update
Obama Taps Former NATO Chief Jones as National Security Adviser
Gen. James L. Jones will bring "the dual experience of serving in uniform and as a diplomat/; to the position of national security adviser, President-elect Barack Obama said Monday in appointing the former NATO commander to the top Cabinet post.


Dec. 1, 2008
Report
Military Recruitment Called into Question Over Promises, Methods
With a low proportion of the nation's growing Hispanic population represented in the American military, recruiters are trying to enlist more Latino youth. Martin Terrones reports on controversial tactics surrounding the recruitment of high school students and promises of eventual citizenship for immigrant soldiers.


Dec. 1, 2008
Report
Obama Taps Former NATO Chief Jones as National Security Adviser
Gen. James L. Jones will bring "the dual experience of serving in uniform and as a diplomat" to the position of national security adviser, President-elect Barack Obama said Monday in appointing the former NATO commander to the top Cabinet post.


Dec. 1, 2008
Update
Grieving India Hunts for Clues in Mumbai Inquiry
As the investigation continues into last week's attacks in Mumbai that killed nearly 200 people and threatened to unravel delicate ties between India and neighboring Pakistan, India's home security minister resigned Sunday.

NOVEMBER
Nov. 27, 2008
Report
Iraqi Parliament Approves U.S. Security Deal
Iraq's parliament approved Thursday a security pact with the United States that outlines the withdrawal of U.S. troops by the end of 2011 and may mark a new turn toward Iraqi sovereignty. A reporter in Baghdad discusses the next steps with Judy Woodruff.

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Nov. 27, 2008
Analysis
Indian Forces Fight to Regain Control of Mumbai
Commandos continued to battle early Friday to free people trapped in two hotels by militants who launched a series of attacks on 10 sites Wednesday that killed at least 119 people.

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Nov. 26, 2008
Debate
Robert Gates' Likely Re-Appointment at the Pentagon Stirs Debate
President-elect Barack Obama will likely ask Defense Secretary Robert Gates to remain as Pentagon Chief when his administration takes over. A retired brigadier general and a former Bush administration official debate the pros and cons of keeping Gates at the helm.

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Nov. 26, 2008
Update
Thai Army Chief Urges PM to Quit as Protestors Paralyze Airport
Thailand's army chief called for the country's prime minister to resign Wednesday in the face of protests that have paralyzed the government and stranded thousands of passengers at Bangkok's main airport.


Nov. 25, 2008
Analysis
With Changing Administrations, Future for Guantanamo Detainees Is Uncertain
With Osama Bin Laden's former driver transferred to Yemen and other inmates ordered released last week, Guantanamo Bay's prison population is decreasing as President-elect Barack Obama prepares to take office. Two lawyers assess what's next for the facility.

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Nov. 24, 2008
Report
Obama Reportedly Mulls Keeping Gates as Defense Chief
President-elect Barack Obama is reportedly considering retaining Robert Gates as defense secretary, which has sparked debate among Obama's supporters and others. NewsHour deputy senior producer Dan Sagalyn reports.

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Nov. 24, 2008
Update
Three Bombings Kill at Least 20 in Baghdad
Three bombings struck Baghdad Monday morning in separate attacks that killed at least 20 people. The bombings came two days before a planned vote on a security pact that would allow U.S. troops to stay in the country for three more years.


Nov. 21, 2008
Forum
The Pirates of Somalia
Piracy off the coast of Africa has increased in recent weeks, with eight attacks just this week. In a brazen attack, pirates captured a Saudi supertanker loaded with at least $100 million in oil, the largest ship ever hijacked.


Nov. 20, 2008
Forum
Vet Suicide on the Rise
The Army says that suicides among its active duty personnel have doubled in recent years, and multiple deployments may be contributing to the increase. A veterans' advocate, an Army psychiatrist and the head of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs took your questions.


Nov. 20, 2008
Update
Judge Orders 5 Guantanamo Detainees Freed
Five of six Algerians must be released after nearly seven years of captivity in the U.S. military prison at Guantanamo Bay, a federal judge ruled Thursday in the first case of its kind.


Nov. 19, 2008
Analysis
Modern-day Somali Pirates Increase Attacks
Somali pirates are increasing the frequency of their attacks and targeting larger ships, targeting oil supertankers and grain cargo vessels. Experts explain the rise in modern-day piracy and the efforts among the international community to curb the problem.

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Nov. 18, 2008
Analysis
Report Concludes Gulf War Syndrome Is Legitimate Illness
A report released Monday revealed that the mysterious illness affecting veterans exposed to toxins during the 1991 Gulf War is real, making it easier for military personnel to seek federal aid. Research advisory committee chairman James Binns details the findings.

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Nov. 18, 2008
Update
Congo Rebels Announce Pullback to Aid Peace Bid
In eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, rebels announced a military pullback Tuesday to support a U.N. peace initiative and the government ousted its armed forces chief following a string of defeats.


Nov. 18, 2008
Update
NATO Troops Fire at Insurgents in Pakistan
NATO forces based in Afghanistan fired 20 artillery rounds at insurgent fighters within Pakistan in an attack coordinated with the Pakistani government, NATO officials said Tuesday.


Nov. 17, 2008
Analysis
Iraqi Lawmakers Evaluate Long-awaited U.S. Security Deal
Iraqi lawmakers began debate Monday over a security agreement that will allow U.S. forces to remain in the country until the end of 2011. Analysts discuss the plan's details and remaining obstacles to its approval.

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Nov. 17, 2008
Update
Somali Pirates Hijack Oil Tanker Headed for U.S.
Somali pirates hijacked a Saudi-owned supertanker Saturday hundreds of miles off the Horn of Africa, seizing the ship loaded with crude oil and its 25-member international crew, the U.S. Navy said Monday.


Nov. 17, 2008
Slide Show
Colombia's Displaced Face Education Challenges
About 3 million Colombians are refugees in their own country, forced to leave their homes by FARC rebels or from violence caused by paramilitary groups. Children of displaced families are especially vulnerable and sometimes have difficulty getting to school.

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Nov. 14, 2008
Report
Questions Linger Over Engaging Taliban in Afghanistan
Members of Afghanistan's government recently met with former Taliban leaders, stirring questions over whether such talks could help improve the country's security situation -- and whether they should be taking place at all. The NewsHour's Dan Sagalyn reports.

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Nov. 13, 2008
Update
Suicide Blast Strikes U.S. Military Convoy in Afghanistan
A suicide car-bomber attacked a U.S. military convoy as it passed through a crowded market in eastern Afghanistan Thursday killing a U.S. soldier and at least eight bystanders, U.S. military and Afghan officials said.


Nov. 12, 2008
Update
Supreme Court Sonar Decision a Blow to Environmentalists
The U.S. Supreme Court handed environmentalists a defeat Wednesday, lifting restrictions on the Navy's use of sonar off the California coast.


Nov. 11, 2008
Conversation
Growing Foreign Policy Concerns Add Challenges for Obama
President-elect Barack Obama will soon take on the challenges of two wars and a complex international arena. Two former national security advisers present the ideal foreign policy agenda from their new book.

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Nov. 10, 2008
Report
Military, VA Confront Rising Suicide Rates Among Troops
The Army says that suicides among active duty personnel have doubled in recent years, and multiple deployments might contribute to that increase. NewsHour correspondent Betty Ann Bowser reports.

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FUNDED IN PART BY: Robert Wood Johnson


Nov. 10, 2008
Update
African Countries Poised to Send Peacekeepers to Congo
Countries of the South African Development Community said after a regional summit Sunday that they would send military advisers to help the Congolese government, and peacekeepers if necessary.


Nov. 10, 2008
Update
Bombings in Baghdad, Baqouba Kills Dozens
Explosions in Baghdad and in the northeast city of Baqouba left dozens dead and many wounded Monday morning, the Iraqi Interior Ministry reported.


Nov. 7, 2008
Update
Conflict Over Resources Sparks Renewed Crisis in Congo
Militia violence in eastern Congo has left many civilians dead in its wake. A Hoover Institution fellow and independent journalist details the causes of the fighting, the combatants involved in this civil war and limits on U.N. troops' involvement.

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Nov. 6, 2008
Update
U.N. Says Violence Spreading in Eastern Congo
U.N. peacekeepers found the bodies of a dozen shot citizens in an eastern Congo village occupied by Tutsi rebels, who have seized more territory in North Kivu province, the United Nations said Thursday.


Nov. 5, 2008
Update
Hamas Reacts to Israeli Incursion With Mortar Fire
Hamas militants fired rockets into southern Israel Wednesday, hours after Israeli forces killed six gunmen in fighting that threatened a five-month-old truce that has brought some relief to Gaza residents.

OCTOBER
Oct. 31, 2008
Update
Refugee Camps Targeted by Rebels in Congo
The United Nations said Friday that rebels have torched refugee camps in eastern Congo, forcing 50,000 people already displaced by the violence out of the camps.


Oct. 30, 2008
Report
Security Contractors Left Out of Iraq Status of Forces Pact
A draft Status of Forces Agreement negotiated between the U.S. and Iraqi governments gives Iraq legal jurisdiction over U.S. contractors, but questions have arisen over whether it applies to State Department contractors, such as Blackwater USA, or just Pentagon contractors. The NewsHour's Dan Sagalyn prepared this report.

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Oct. 30, 2008
Update
Accusations Fly as Shaky Cease-Fire Holds in Congo Rebellion
A day after declaring a cease-fire on violence in eastern Congo, the leader of a Tutsi rebellion said Thursday he wants direct talks with the Congolese government about management of the country's resources.


Oct. 29, 2008
Analysis
Taliban Proves Resilient Foe in Afghanistan
Seven years into the war in Afghanistan, U.S. and allied troops are still battling Taliban insurgents, leading to talk of sending more troops to the country. New York Times correspondent John Burns, who just returned from the Afghanistan, provides an update.

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Oct. 29, 2008
Update
U.S. Embassy in Damascus Could Close as Tension Rises
The U.S. Embassy in Syria may close to the public for security reasons after a deadly raid near the country's border with Iraq caused public outcry against the United States.


Oct. 28, 2008
Update
U.N., Congolese Soldiers Retreat as Rebels Advance
Congolese soldiers and U.N. tanks were forced to retreat Tuesday from rebels vowing to take Congo's eastern provincial capital of Goma -- home to the local U.N. headquarters.


Oct. 27, 2008
Update
Syria Accuses U.S. of Killing Eight in Deadly Border Raid
A funeral was held Monday for eight civilians killed in an attack on an eastern Syrian village on the Iraq border that Syria claims was carried out by U.S. forces.


Oct. 23, 2008
Update
Suspects on Trial for Planning to Incite Coup in Turkey
A massive trial underway in Turkey -- involving retired military generals, journalists, politicians and a university rector accused of trying to create the conditions for a coup -- might have far-reaching political and military implications.


Oct. 22, 2008
Update
Gates Resists Changes to Iraq Security Deal
U.S. Defense Secretary Robert Gates said Tuesday that Washington does not want to change a draft deal governing U.S. troops in Iraq, despite concerns raised by Iraqi politicians.


Oct. 20, 2008
Update
Taliban Kill Christian Aid Worker in Afghanistan
Taliban gunmen killed a Christian aid worker walking to work Monday in Afghanistan's capital because she was spreading her religion, the militant group said.


Oct. 16, 2008
Report
U.S. Airstrikes in Afghanistan Raise Debate
U.S.-led airstrikes in Afghanistan against the Taliban have met their targets but also sometimes killed nearby civilians, prompting criticism from the Afghan government and human rights groups. Learn more about the issue in this audio report.

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Oct. 16, 2008
Update
Draft Pact Says U.S. Forces Would Leave Iraq in 2011
After months of talks, Washington and Baghdad settled upon a draft security deal that would have U.S. troops leave Iraq by the end of 2011 unless Iraq asks them to stay longer.


Oct. 14, 2008
Report
Journalist Recounts His Experiences With Taliban in Afghanistan
When journalist Nir Rosen traveled to Afghanistan last summer, his plan was to travel with a group of Taliban fighters for 10 days and report on their activity. Instead, he was detained by a rival Taliban commander and accused of being a spy. Rosen describes his experiences.

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Oct. 13, 2008
Update
N. Korea to Resume Dismantling Nuclear Plant
A day after the Bush administration took North Korea off its list of nations that sponsor terrorism, the Asian nation announced it would resume dismantling its main nuclear complex.


Oct. 9, 2008
Update
Gates Urges More Troop Action on Afghanistan's Drug Trade
U.S. Secretary of Defense Robert Gates said Thursday that NATO troops should do more to combat Afghanistan's drug trade. His comments came as new reports emerged raising doubts about American strategy and the Afghan government's ability to cope.

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Oct. 8, 2008
Update
Turkey Reauthorizes Strikes Against Kurdish Rebels in Iraq
Turkey's Parliament voted overwhelmingly Wednesday to extend by another year military operations against Kurdish rebels in Iraq. The move followed a weekend attack on Turkish soldiers that killed 17.


Oct. 6, 2008
Update
General, Dozens More Killed in Sri Lankan Blast
A suspected rebel suicide bomber killed at least 26 people, including a prominent retired army general, during an attack inside an opposition party office in northern Sri Lanka Monday.


Oct. 2, 2008
Update
Suicide Bombers Attack Two Baghdad Mosques
Two suicide bombers detonated explosives near two mosques in Baghdad as Shiite worshippers were celebrating the end of Ramadan, killing at least 24 people and injuring more than 50, said police.


Oct. 1, 2008
Update
As Standoff Continues, Somalia Permits Foreign Navies to Attack Pirates
Six days after a Ukrainian freighter laden with military hardware was hijacked in the Indian Ocean, the Somali government said Wednesday that it will allow foreign navies to attack the Somali pirates behind the takeover.


Oct. 1, 2008
Conversation
'The Forever War' Author Dexter Filkins Recounts Covering Iraq, Afghanistan Wars
New York Times war correspondent Dexter Filkins' book, "The Forever War," provides a window into his experiences covering the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan for much of the last decade. He talks to Jeffrey Brown about reporting from the front lines.

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Oct. 1, 2008
Video
Dexter Filkins Reads an Excerpt from 'The Forever War'
New York Times reporter Dexter Filkins reads from his book, "The Forever War," which chronicles his experiences in Iraq and Afghanistan.


Oct. 1, 2008
Update
U.S. Transfers Sunni Fighters to Iraqi Control
The U.S. military on Wednesday began transferring control of about 100,000 fighters under the Sunni Awakening Councils, who are working to defeat al-Qaida in the region, to the Iraqi government.

SEPTEMBER
Sept. 26, 2008
Analysis
McCain, Obama Clash on Foreign Policy, Economic Future in Tense First Debate
Sens. John McCain and Barack Obama sharply attacked each other's judgment on Iraq, Iran and Pakistan during Friday's debate. Political analysts and historians react to the candidates' performances.

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Sept. 26, 2008
Update
Nations Agree to Draft Resolution on Iran Nuclear Program
Six nations have agreed on a draft U.N. resolution on Iran's nuclear program, but it does not include new sanctions, per Russia's preference, European officials said Friday.


Sept. 24, 2008
Report
Author Describes Israel's View on Threat From Iran
Taking a shot at Israel's intelligence agencies, author Ronen Bergman argues that Israel and the West have underestimated the threat from Iran for decades. Bergman describes reports that Israel is preparing for a possible strike on Iran's nuclear facilities.

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Sept. 16, 2008
Analysis
With Iraq Surge Behind Him, Petraeus Takes Larger Command
Twenty months after taking charge of a new troop surge in Iraq, Gen. David Petraeus passed on some hard-earned and still fragile security gains to his replacement, Gen. Ray Odierno, Tuesday. Specialists assess the challenges both generals now face in the region.

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Sept. 16, 2008
Update
Mullen Visits Pakistan to Ease Tensions Over Raids
Top U.S. military officer Adm. Mike Mullen went to Pakistan Tuesday to discuss concerns over Islamabad's efforts to combat militant fighters and to address rising tensions over reports that U.S. forces have engaged in unauthorized raids there.


Sept. 15, 2008
Update
Mugabe Agrees to Share Power Under New Zimbabwe Deal
Zimbabwe's political rivals signed a landmark power-sharing agreement Monday that shows President Robert Mugabe of the ZANU-PF party loosening his grip on the economically ravaged country for the first time in nearly three decades.


Sept. 11, 2008
Report
Military Chaplains Undergo Unique Boot Camp
For chaplains to become effective ministers to troops in the field, they undergo specific training about the rules and customs of Army life. Saul Gonzalez reports on how Army chaplains are pepraed to provide religious guidance in war zones and the guidlines of their ministries.

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Sept. 11, 2008
Analysis
Reports: President Bush Secretly OK'd Raids in Pakistan's Border Region
The New York Times reported Thursday that President Bush authorized U.S. forces to conduct raids against Taliban and al-Qaida strongholds inside Pakistan's border region without the approval of Islamabad. Regional and security experts assess the reports.

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Sept. 9, 2008
Analysis
U.S. Plan on Iraq, Afghan Troop Levels Stirs Strategy Debate
President Bush said Tuesday that the U.S. would maintain Iraq troop levels until next year and increase resources for Afghanistan. Retired Army Gen. Jack Keane and Retired Brig. Gen. David McGinnis weigh the strategy.

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Sept. 9, 2008
Update
President Bush Says 8,000 Troops to Return From Iraq by Early 2009
President Bush on Tuesday announced plans to pull out 8,000 combat and support troops from Iraq by February, a modest drawdown in U.S. forces there that would leave some 138,000 U.S. troops in the country.


Sept. 4, 2008
Update
Cheney Reaffirms Commitment to Georgia Joining NATO
Emphasizing Washington's support for Georgia in its showdown with Russia, Vice President Dick Cheney said the United States was "fully committed" to Georgia's efforts to join the NATO alliance.


Sept. 1, 2008
Update
U.S. Turns Over Once Violent Anbar Province to Iraqis
The U.S. military handed over control of the once-volatile Anbar province to Iraqi forces Monday, marking a milestone in U.S. plans to send troops home.

AUGUST
Aug. 27, 2008
Update
Ukraine Condemns Russian Action in Georgia; U.S. Ships Avoid Russian-Held Port
World leaders on Wednesday continued to condemn Russia's decision to formally recognize two breakaway Georgian regions, Abkhazia and South Ossetia, and to maintain troops in South Ossetia.


Aug. 27, 2008
Update
U.N. Says 90 Civilians Killed in Afghan Airstrike
The United Nations has found "convincing evidence" that 90 civilians were killed in a U.S. airstrike in western Afghanistan last week that prompted the Afghan government to demand more accountability from U.S. and NATO forces.


Aug. 26, 2008
Update
Russia Formally Recognizes Breakaway Georgian Areas
Russian president Dmitry Medvedev on Tuesday formally recognized the independence of two breakaway Georgian regions, Abkhazia and South Ossetia, heightening tensions with the United States and Europe over the conflict in the separatist areas.


Aug. 22, 2008
Update
Dozens Dead in Southern Somalia Clashes
At least 70 people have been killed over the past few days in battles between Somalia's Islamist al-Shabaab rebels and a pro-government clan militia in the southern part of the country.


Aug. 22, 2008
Update
Iraq, U.S. Move Closer to Troop Pullout Date
Iraqi and U.S. officials came closer to a long-term security deal Thursday by agreeing to a withdrawal of American forces by the end of 2011, though other sticking points remained such as immunity for U.S. troops in Iraq.


Aug. 22, 2008
Update
Some Russian Troops Seen Pulling out of Georgia
Russian troops began leaving several cities in Georgia on Friday, the day that Russia's president had said a pullback would be complete, but elsewhere they were still manning checkpoints and controlling traffic.


Aug. 21, 2008
Conversation
Marine, Author Reflect on Honoring Fallen Comrades
Author Jim Sheeler and U.S. Marine Corps Lt. Col. Steve Beck talk about Sheeler's book, "Final Salute," which chronicles the Marines who notify families about the death of their loved ones during war and provide support as families cope with their loss.

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Aug. 21, 2008
Report
Citizens of Abkhazia Strive to Shape Sovereign Nation
Special correspondent Kira Kay reports on the political tensions within Georgia's breakaway province Abkhazia. This report was produced in partnership with The Pulitzer Center on Crisis Reporting and The Bureau for International Reporting, and is a co-production with HDNet.

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Aug. 21, 2008
Update
Russia Sends Mixed Signals Over Military Presence in Georgia
Russia has said although it will withdraw the bulk of its troops from Georgia in coming days, it will maintain a military presence to protect South Ossetia. NPR correspondent Ivan Watson reports from Tbilisi.

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Aug. 21, 2008
Update
Rice: U.S., Iraq Close on Timetable Agreement
Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice and Iraqi Foreign Minister Hoshyar Zebari said Thursday that timetables should be set for a U.S. troop withdrawal, but conceded that nailing down a broader pact on future relations has been difficult.


Aug. 20, 2008
Report
Fighting in Georgia Ruins Villages, Alters Landscape
Villages in and around the breakaway regions of Georgia have suffered heavily from the recent fighting between Georgian and Russian troops. Independent Television News reports on the impact to the region.


Aug. 20, 2008
Analysis
U.S. Defense Deal With Poland Stirs Angry Russian Rhetoric
A newly inked deal paves the way for the building of a U.S. missile defense base in Poland -- a move that has infuriated regional power Russia. Experts examine the state of U.S.-Russia relations.

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Aug. 20, 2008
Insider Forum
Filmmakers Answered Your Questions on 'The Judge and the General'
The documentary "The Judge and the General" follows the investigation into the brutal murders of thousands of Chileans during the 1970s and 1980s. Filmmakers Elizabeth Farnsworth, a former NewsHour correspondent, and her co-producer and director Patricio Lanfranco answered your questions.

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FUNDED IN PART BY: The Knight Foundation


Aug. 20, 2008
Update
U.S., Poland Sign Missile Defense Agreement
Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice and Polish Foreign Minister Radek Sikorski signed a deal Wednesday to build a U.S. missile defense base in Poland. The agreement infuriated Russia, which warned of possibly attacking the former Soviet satellite.


Aug. 19, 2008
Analysis
NATO Warns Moscow No 'Business as Usual' Amid Conflict
During a NATO meeting Tuesday, world leaders warned Russia that its recent actions against Georgia could endanger Moscow's diplomatic relations. Analysts examine how the West and Russia have clashed over the crisis.

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Aug. 19, 2008
Update
Coordinated Insurgent Attack Near Kabul Kills 10 French Soldiers
A group of French paratroopers was ambushed by a group of 100 Taliban-linked insurgents outside Kabul late Monday, killing 10 soldiers and wounding 21 others as a wave of attacks against foreign forces continues to rock Afghanistan.


Aug. 18, 2008
Update
Suicide Attack in Afghanistan Kills at Least 10
The Taliban took responsibility for an attack Monday in which a suicide bomber drove a car packed with explosives into the gate of the main U.S. military base in southeastern Afghanistan, killing 10 people and wounding 13.


Aug. 18, 2008
Update
Reports Contradict Russia's Claim of Withdrawal
Russia said Monday its military is withdrawing from Georgia, but left it unclear where its troops and tanks will operate under the cease-fire that ended more than a week of fighting in the former Soviet republic.


Aug. 15, 2008
Slide Show
Satellite Imaging Program Records Darfur Destruction
Geographers at the American Association for the Advancement of Science's Office of Science and Human Rights are using satellite images to document destroyed villages in Darfur and other areas. Project director Lars Bromley describes the challenges of documenting human rights abuses using geospatial technologies.

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Aug. 15, 2008
Analysis
Marcus and Lowry Weigh Reactions to Georgia Crisis
The Georgia-Russia conflict has put the foreign policy skills of Sens. John McCain and Barack Obama to the test. Analysts Ruth Marcus and Rich Lowry weigh the candidate responses and other political news of the week.

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Aug. 15, 2008
Analysis
Georgian Leader Defiant in Face of Russia Conflict
Georgian President Mikhail Saakashvili signed a cease-fire deal with Russia Friday, while asserting that Georgia would "never, ever surrender" to Moscow. Experts discuss Saakashvili's role in the regional conflict.

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Aug. 15, 2008
Update
U.S. Calls for Russia to Immediately Remove All Troops From Georgia
U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice issued a new call Friday for Russia to remove all troops from neighboring Georgia as part of an internationally-brokered agreement to end the weeklong military conflict over two breakaway provinces.


Aug. 14, 2008
Analysis
Debate Abounds on Russia's Ambitions in Georgia Conflict
Defense chief Robert Gates warned Russia Thursday to curb its military actions in Georgia while Moscow affirmed its support for the separatist enclaves there. Two analysts examine why Russia has engaged in the conflict.

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Aug. 14, 2008
Update
Russia Voices Ongoing Support for Georgia's Separatist Enclaves
Russian leader Dmitry Medvedev said Thursday that Moscow would continue to offer support to Georgia's breakaway provinces.


Aug. 13, 2008
Analysis
Diplomats Analyze U.S. Response to Georgia Conflict
President Bush on Wednesday promised Georgia that the U.S. military would deliver aid to help it recover from its fighting with Russia. Former diplomats Lawrence Eagleburger and Madeleine Albright analyze the U.S. response.

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Aug. 13, 2008
Update
Bus Bombing in Lebanon Kills as Many as 18
A bomb planted near a bus in Lebanon's second-largest city of Tripoli exploded early Wednesday, killing as many as 18 and wounding more than 40 in what is suspected to be an attack on the Lebanese army.


Aug. 12, 2008
Analysis
Russia, Georgia Agree to Terms of Cease-fire Deal
The presidents of Russia and Georgia agreed Tuesday to the terms of a cease-fire deal aimed at ending the fighting over Georgia's breakaway province, South Ossetia. Vitaly Churkin, Russia's envoy to the U.N., discusses the crisis, and regional experts offer insight.

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Aug. 12, 2008
Update
Russia Orders Halt to Fighting in Georgia
Russia ordered a halt to military action in Georgia after five days of clashes over the breakaway region of South Ossetia, but reports continued to emerge of lingering fighting between Russian and Georgian troops.


Aug. 11, 2008
Analysis
U.S. Issues Strong Warning to Russia Over Georgian Conflict
President Bush warned Monday it appeared that Russian forces may be seeking to depose the elected Georgian government as Moscow sent forces deeper into unstable region. U.S. Ambassador to the U.N. Zalmay Khalilzad discusses the American position on the crisis.

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Aug. 11, 2008
Update
Disaster Feared as 130,000 Flee Fighting in Southern Philippines
Continued fighting between Muslim rebels and troops in the southern Philippines has raised fears of a humanitarian disaster as nearly 130,000 refugees have fled their homes.


Aug. 11, 2008
Update
Georgia-Russia Crisis Deepens, Diplomats Rush to Urge Cease-fire
Russian troops continued to push into separatist regions of Georgia on Monday and Georgian forces reportedly renewed some shelling of South Ossetia as violence continued to rage between the neighboring countries over the breakaway provinces.


Aug. 11, 2008
Update
Coalition Air Strikes in Afghanistan Stoke Tensions Over Civilian Death Toll
A U.S.-led air strike in Afghanistan killed 25 Taliban fighters on Sunday but also took the lives of eight bystanders held hostage by the militants, media reports said Monday, highlighting tensions over the civilian toll in the Afghan war.


Aug. 8, 2008
Analysis
Soldiers Clash as Georgia, Russia Vie to Assert Power
Tensions between Georgia and Russia escalated Friday as Georgia sought control over the breakaway South Ossetia province and Russian tanks moved in to defend the pro-Russian enclave. Two experts explain the conflict.

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Aug. 8, 2008
Update
Clashes in South Ossetia Latest Round in Tumultuous History
The Georgian province of South Ossetia has been trying to exert its independence since it split from the former Soviet republic in the early 1990s. Tensions erupted into fighting Aug. 7, drawing Russian retaliation and raising a new specter of war.


Aug. 8, 2008
Update
Fighting Escalates in Georgian Breakaway Province
Georgian troops launched a major offensive Friday to exert control over the breakaway province of South Ossetia, while Russian tanks and airplanes moved in to defend the pro-Russian enclave.


Aug. 7, 2008
Update
Bin Laden's Driver Receives 5 1/2 Year Prison Sentence
A military tribunal jury sentenced Salim Hamdan, the former driver of Osama bin Laden, to five and a half years in prison Thursday. A Miami Herald reporter details the courtroom proceedings and what lies ahead for the Yemeni detainee.

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Aug. 7, 2008
Update
Bin Laden's Ex-Driver Sentenced to 5 1/2 Years
A military jury on Thursday sentenced Osama bin Laden's former driver, Samil Hamdan, to 5 1/2 years in prison, making him eligible for parole in six months. Hamdan was convicted Wednesday on charges of providing material support for terrorism.


Aug. 7, 2008
Update
Military Leaders in Mauritania Vow to Hold Elections After Toppling President
Leaders of a military coup that ousted Mauritania's first freely elected president in more than 20 years, Sidi Cheikh Ould Abdallahi, promised Thursday to hold "free and transparent" elections to replace him.


Aug. 6, 2008
Analysis
Iraq Sees Security Gains, but Political Progress Lags
The recent U.S. troop surge in Iraq helped reduce violence in the country, giving Iraqi lawmakers time to sort out long-held political and sectarian divisions. A journalist and a regional expert discuss lingering political stalemates in Iraq.

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Aug. 6, 2008
Analysis
Military Trial Yields Split Verdict for Bin Laden's Driver
A military jury in Guantanamo Bay convicted Osama bin Laden's former driver on charges of providing support for terrorism Wednesday but cleared him of conspiracy charges. Experts weigh the verdict.

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Aug. 6, 2008
Update
Jury Delivers Split Verdict in First Gitmo Trial
A military jury convicted a former driver and alleged bodyguard for terror leader Osama bin Laden on charges of providing material support for terrorism Wednesday, but acquitted him on more serious conspiracy charges.


Aug. 6, 2008
Update
Nations to Mull New Sanctions Against Iran for Nuclear Program
Six world powers agreed Wednesday to start considering a fourth U.N. Security Council resolution imposing sanctions on Iran because of its refusal to end its nuclear program.


Aug. 4, 2008
Update
Dozens Killed in Clashes in Northwest Pakistan
At least 94 Islamist militants, 14 soldiers and 28 civilians were killed in battles in the Pakistan's northwestern Swat valley over the past week, while the country's army is planning a major operation against the militants, the army said Monday.


Aug. 4, 2008
Update
Attack Kills 16 Border Police in Northwest China
Two men slammed a dump truck into a group of jogging policemen then threw explosives into nearby barracks early Monday in far northwest China, killing 16 and wounding at least 16 more, state-run Xinhua News Agency reported.

JULY
July 31, 2008
Debate
Violence Dips in Iraq, Fueling Talk of Troop Drawdowns
Defense chief Robert Gates said Thursday that security in Iraq has "improved dramatically" and that he sees "a real possibility" of future troop cuts. Sens. Jim Webb, D-Va., and Richard Lugar, R-Ind., offer insight.

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July 31, 2008
Update
Karadzic Appears in Court, Refuses to Enter Plea
Thirteen years after war crimes charges were levied against him, former Bosnian Serb leader Radovan Karadzic appeared for the first time Thursday at the U.N.'s tribunal, but he refused to immediately enter pleas on the 11 charges against him.


July 28, 2008
Blog
Reporter's Notebook: Judy Woodruff on Obama's Trip, Candidates' Iraq Plans
In a conversation with the NewsHour's Steve Goldbloom, senior correspondent Judy Woodruff discussed Sen. Barack Obama's foreign trip including his stop in Iraq and the ensuing debate over his troop-withdrawal proposal.

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July 28, 2008
Update
Dozens Die After Bombings Hit Baghdad, Kirkuk
Suicide bombers killed at least 57 people and wounded nearly 300 others Monday during attacks against a Shiite pilgrimage in Baghdad and a Kurdish protest rally in northern Iraq, police said.


July 22, 2008
Newsmaker Interview
Adm. Mullen: Iraq War Affects Deployment in Afghanistan
Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman Adm. Mike Mullen, whose words have been parsed over the past weeks as the presidential campaign focuses on foreign policy, discusses the success of the surge and his opinion that troops would have to be withdrawn from Iraq before added to Afghanistan in a significant way.

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July 22, 2008
Update
Judge Orders Karadzic into U.N. Tribunal Custody
A judge has ordered ex-Bosnian Serb leader Radovan Karadzic to be handed over to the U.N. war crimes court to face charges of genocide and other atrocities against Muslims and Croats in his country, a Serbian prosecutor said Tuesday.


July 21, 2008
Update
War Crimes Suspect Karadzic Arrested in Serbia
Bosnian Serb wartime president Radovan Karadzic, one of the world's most-wanted men for his role in civilian massacres, was arrested Monday evening in a sweep by Serbian security forces, President Boris Tadic's office said.


July 21, 2008
Analysis
Gitmo Trial Begins, but Questions Loom Over Detainee Legal Process
After years of legal delays, the trial for Osama Bin Laden's former driver began Monday at Guantanamo, marking the first full-scale military tribunal at the base since it opened in 2001. Two legal experts examine the future of the detainee program.

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July 21, 2008
Analysis
Obama's Trip Puts Focus on Candidates' Iraq, Afghan Plans
Sen. Barack Obama is working on his foreign policy credentials by meeting with leaders in Iraq and Afghanistan this week. Policy advisers discuss how Obama and GOP Sen. John McCain are approaching the conflicts.

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July 18, 2008
Report
Summer Camp Helps Children of Deployed Parents
Every summer at Operation Purple Camp in Colorado, more than half of the campers are children whose parents are deployed in military service. Spencer Michels visits the nurturing site for youth with special needs.

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July 18, 2008
Analysis
U.S. Marks Policy Shifts in Iraq, Iran Nuclear Talks
The Bush administration signaled policy shifts Friday by agreeing to set a "time horizon" for Iraq troop reductions and sending a top U.S. envoy to Iranian nuclear talks. Analyst Michael Rubin and columnist Trudy Rubin examine the moves.

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July 18, 2008
Update
U.S., Iraq to Set 'Time Horizon' on Troop Withdrawal
President Bush and Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki have agreed to seek "a general time horizon" for reducing U.S. troops in Iraq as part of a broader security agreement, the White House said Friday.


July 18, 2008
Slide Show
Inside an Iraqi Detention Site
Camp Bucca in southern Iraq holds about 18,000 Iraqis considered an "imperative security threat". At the U.S.-run facility, the detainees take classes and get visits from their families as they await military reviews of their threat status. Col. David Glaser, who is in charge of detainee operations, describes the facility.

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July 17, 2008
Update
Air Raid Kills 15 Insurgents in Afghanistan
Airstrikes coordinated by U.S. special forces and Afghan troops against militants in western Afghanistan killed 15 insurgents and freed 15 hostages Thursday, officials said.


July 16, 2008
Update
Hezbollah Returns Israeli Remains in Prisoner Swap
Coffins containing the bodies of two Israeli soldiers captured in 2006 by Hezbollah were turned over to Israel Wednesday as part of a trade for the release of five Lebanese prisoners.


July 15, 2008
Newsmaker Interview
Obama Calls for U.S. Military to Renew Focus on Afghanistan
In an interview with the NewsHour's Gwen Ifill, Sen. Barack Obama calls for the U.S. to dramatically scale down in military effort in Iraq and, instead, focus more forces on the deteriorating situation in Afghanistan.

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July 15, 2008
Update
Double Suicide Bombing Kills 28 at Iraqi Army Recruitment Center
Two suicide bombers blew themselves up in a crowd of Iraqi army recruits in the country's troubled Diyala province Tuesday, killing at least 28 people according to Iraqi police and military.


July 14, 2008
Update
In Afghanistan, Troop Deaths Highlight Instability
On Sunday, Taliban militants waged the deadliest assault on U.S. and NATO troops in three years, highlighting the challenge of the ongoing armed conflict. A New York Times Magazine reporter and a counter-insurgency expert measure the complexity of the conflict.

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July 14, 2008
Insider Forum
Washington Post Reporter Answered Your Questions on Zimbabwe's Political Unrest
In collaboration with Zimbabwean journalists, Washington Post reporter Craig Timberg reported on the turnabout that kept President Robert Mugabe of Zimbabwe in power after a campaign of violence was enacted against his opponents. Timberg answered your questions.

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FUNDED IN PART BY: The Knight Foundation


July 10, 2008
Update
Iran Continues Missile Tests Despite U.S. Warning
Iran continued its testing of medium- and long-range missiles Thursday after a warning from U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice that the U.S. will defend its allies in the region.


July 9, 2008
Analysis
Iran's Missile Launch Provides Test for Obama, McCain
A day after Iran vowed to retaliate against Israel and U.S. interests if Tehran were attacked, the country test-fired nine missiles -- posing a policy test for the presidential hopefuls. Campaign advisers mull the issue.

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July 9, 2008
Update
Iran Tests Missiles amid Turmoil with U.S., Israel
A day after Tehran vowed to retaliate against Israel and U.S. interests if Iran were attacked, Revolutionary Guards test-fired nine missiles Wednesday, state-run media reported.


July 8, 2008
Conversation
Group Proposes New Controls over U.S. War Powers
A bipartisan study group proposed a new war powers legislation that would force the president to consult lawmakers before launching a long-term combat. James Baker and Warren Christopher defend changing the original 1973 act.

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July 8, 2008
Analysis
In Policy Switch, Iraqis Push for U.S. Withdrawal Timetable
For the first time this week, Iraqi President Nouri al-Maliki said that he expects a pending troop deal with the U.S. to include a timetable for withdrawal. Two Iraq analysts weigh the state of U.S.-Iraqi relations.

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July 7, 2008
Report
U.S. Hostages Speak Out After Captivity in Colombia
Three U.S. military contractors who spent more than five years as hostages of in Colombia made their first public statements Monday about the rebel group and their experiences. Kwame Holman reports.

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July 7, 2008
Update
41 Killed in Indian Embassy Bombing in Kabul
A suicide bomber ignited a car bomb Monday outside India's embassy in Afghanistan, killing 41 and injuring 139. The casualties included an Indian defense attache, a diplomat as well as two embassy guards and six Afghan police officers.


July 4, 2008
Conversation
Marine, Author Reflect on Honoring Fallen Comrades
Author Jim Sheeler and U.S. Marine Corps Lt. Col. Steve Beck talk about Sheeler's book, "Final Salute," which chronicles the Marines who notify families about the death of their loved ones during war and provide support as families cope with their loss.

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July 4, 2008
Slide Show
The U.S. Marine Corps' Final Salute
In the book, "Final Salute," former Rocky Mountain News reporter Jim Sheeler and photographer Todd Heisler chronicle the experiences of a U.S. Marine Corps casualty assistance officer, Lt. Col. Steven Beck, as he calls on families in Colorado to notify them of a family members' death.


July 4, 2008
Update
U.S. Attack Kills 22 Civilians, Local Officials Claim
A U.S.-led airstrike killed 22 civilians in Afghanistan's eastern Nuristan province local officials said on Friday. American officials said the targets had been insurgents attacking their soldiers.


July 3, 2008
Newsmaker Interview
Colombian Defense Chief Describes Risks, Planning for Hostage Rescue
Following the dramatic rescue of fifteen hostages in Columbia by government forces, some held by rebels for years, Colombian Defense Minister Juan Manuel Santos describes events and planning leading up to the rescue effort.

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July 2, 2008
Update
Betancourt and Americans Rescued from Colombian Rebels
Colombia's military announced Wednesday it rescued French-Colombian politician Ingrid Betancourt and three Americans who were held hostage for years by the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia, or FARC.


July 1, 2008
Report
After Delays and Criticism, Pentagon Shifts Priorities to Protect Soldiers
Beginning in 2007 the Pentagon shifted its spending priorities to meet the deadly threat of roadside bombs leading to the procurement of the MRAP, or 'Mine Resistant Ambush Protected'. The fourteen-ton vehicle is credited for a drastic decline in roadside bomb fatalities, but why did it take so long? Paul Solman investigates.

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July 1, 2008
Analysis
New G.I. Bill Aims to Provide Expanded Educational Benefits to Troops
A new G.I. bill signed into law Monday doubles funding for education benefits available to military personnel who have served since Sept. 11, 2001, and allows transfer of benefits to a spouse or children. Analysts discuss the law and its meaning for veterans.

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JUNE
June 30, 2008
Analysis
U.S. Lacked Clear Plan for Postwar Iraq, Army Report Says
The U.S. Army released a report Monday outlining the problems that kept it from being able to stabilize Iraq after the U.S.-led invasion in March 2003. Military experts discuss the report's findings.

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June 27, 2008
Report
Long Legislative Fight Led to Iraq War Funding Bill
In 2006, Democrats took over Congress with a promise to bring U.S. troops home. Kwame Holman looks at what's happened since then and the legislative fight over a bill to fund the Iraq and Afghan wars.

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June 27, 2008
Analysis
Resurgent Taliban May Step Up Attacks, Pentagon Says
A report released by the Pentagon Friday showed growing instability in Afghanistan and a continuing rise in Taliban forces. A reporter and a regional expert size up new security threats and discuss the new report.

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June 27, 2008
Update
N. Korea Destroys Plutonium-producing Reactor
North Korea demolished the cooling tower at its plutonium-producing reactor Friday, blasting apart the cylindrical structure in Yongbyon as a sign of its commitment to stop making plutonium for atomic bombs.


June 26, 2008
Analysis
White House Removes North Korea From Terrorist List
President Bush eased trade restrictions against North Korea Thursday and removed it from a terrorism sponsor list after the country gave Chinese officials a partial accounting of its nuclear activity. Analysts examine this policy shift.

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June 26, 2008
Update
North Korea Delivers Nuclear Report; U.S. to Lift Sanctions
North Korea handed over a long-awaited accounting of its nuclear work to Chinese officials Thursday, fulfilling a key step in the denuclearization process.


June 25, 2008
Update
Efforts to Resettle Displaced Kenyans Get Mixed Results
Despite government efforts to resettle hundreds of thousands of Kenyans displaced from election violence earlier this year, a state-funded human rights group has said too little is being done to address grievances back home.


June 24, 2008
Update
Bomb Kills 4 Americans, 4 Iraqis in Sadr City
A bomb struck a municipal council building Tuesday in Baghdad, killing two U.S. soldiers, two U.S. government civilian employees, four Iraqi civilians and an Italian of Iraqi origin working as an interpreter for the Americans, U.S. officials said.


June 20, 2008
Report
Detention Centers in Iraq Move from 'Chaos' to Reform
The abuse of detainees at the hands of U.S. soldiers at Abu Ghraib prison in Iraq spurred worldwide protests, al-Qaida recruitment videos and system-wide changes at U.S.-run detention facilities in Iraq.


June 19, 2008
Newsmaker Interview
Minority Leader Boehner Details War Funding Moves, Energy Policy Debate
Lawmakers met Thursday to debate funding allocations for the Iraq and Afghan wars, while continuing to mull how to best address soaring gas prices. House Minority Leader John Boehner explains GOP priorities in the House and how Congress has handled its most pressing issues.

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June 19, 2008
Update
Fragile Cease-fire Between Israel and Hamas Takes Effect
The truce between Israel and Hamas took effect on Thursday, with both sides halting fighting in the Gaza Strip. But even as it begun, the truce between the two warring sides is said to already be in jeopardy.


June 18, 2008
Update
GAO Backs Boeing's Claims in Tanker Contract Dispute
Congressional investigators sided with Boeing Wednesday in a dispute over the awarding of a $35 billion Air Force tanker contract to competitor Northrup Grumman. A reporter discusses the decision.

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June 18, 2008
Update
Report Details Alleged Abuse of Guantanamo Bay, Abu Ghraib Detainees
The alleged abuse of 11 men, captured by U.S. forces in Iraq and Afghanistan and held at Guantanamo Bay and Abu Ghraib, is detailed in a report released Wednesday by the advocacy group Physicians for Human Rights.


June 18, 2008
Update
NATO, Afghan Troops Clash With Taliban Fighters
Afghan and NATO forces, backed by helicopter gunships, moved into villages outside Kandahar on Wednesday, killing at least 36 suspected Taliban fighters as part of an assault on insurgents holed up in the valley in southern Afghanistan.


June 17, 2008
Update
More Than 50 Killed in Iraq Car Bomb Attack
A car bomb exploded in a crowded market area in a Shiite neighborhood in Baghdad on Tuesday, killing more than 50 people and wounding 75 others, officials said. It was the deadliest such attack in the Iraqi capital in months.


June 17, 2008
Update
Israel and Hamas Agree to Truce in Gaza Strip, Officials Say
Israel and the militant Palestinian group Hamas have agreed to a cease-fire in the Gaza Strip starting Thursday, Egyptian officials reported Tuesday.


June 13, 2008
Analysis
Iraq, U.S. Deadlocked Over Long-term Security Deal
Iraq and the United States are negotiating terms for a continued U.S. presence there once a U.N. mandate expires at the end of 2008, but quarrels over troop levels have led to an impasse. A reporter outlines the ongoing negotiations, which have become contentious.

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June 13, 2008
Update
War Veterans Ready to Fight for Mugabe in Zimbabwe Runoff
Zimbabwe President Robert Mugabe said war veterans he commanded during his country's war for liberation are prepared to take up arms to prevent the opposition from winning a June 27 run-off presidential election.


June 12, 2008
Analysis
Justices Rule Terror Suspects Can Appeal Detentions
A Supreme Court ruling Thursday granted Guantanamo detainees the right to challenge their cases in civilian courts. Experts examine the case and its impact on anti-terror efforts.

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June 12, 2008
Update
Justices: Terror Suspects May Appeal Detentions
The Supreme Court ruled Thursday that foreign terrorism suspects held at Guantanamo Bay have rights under the Constitution to challenge their detention in U.S. civilian courts, handing a stinging setback to the Bush administration.


June 11, 2008
Update
Pakistan Says U.S. Coalition Forces Killed 11 Troops
Pakistan's army said Wednesday that a U.S.-led coalition airstrike along the volatile Afghan-Pakistan border killed 11 of its paramilitary troops, condemning it as an act of aggression that "hit at the very basis of cooperation" on the war on terror.


June 10, 2008
Update
China Contains Overflowing Quake-Formed Lake
China declared success Tuesday in preventing a lake -- formed by landslides from the massive May 12 earthquake -- from overflowing its banks and flooding downstream communities.


June 9, 2008
Analysis
Attacks in Pakistan, Afghanistan Highlight Instability
The newly elected government in Pakistan is being confronted with a rise in insurgent attacks and a Taliban that is increasing in strength along the volatile Afghan border. Two experts discuss the latest outbreaks of violence.

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June 9, 2008
Report
Military Buildup Seen as Boom, Test for Tiny Island of Guam
In the next six years, the population of Guam is expected to explode by 25 percent as the American military redploys thousands of its forces to the tiny Pacific Ocean island. The more than $15 billion project is expected to fuel the economy, but also threatens to strain its infrastructure and threaten its tourism industry.

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June 9, 2008
Update
President Bush Visits Europe with Afghanistan, Iran on Agenda
President Bush departed for Europe Monday to ask leaders for more help in Afghanistan and more pressure on Iran. His first stop was in Slovenia for the last U.S.-European Union summit of his presidency.


June 5, 2008
Update
Accused 9/11 Plotters Begin Trials as Legal Issues Linger
Five accused Sept. 11 plotters, including the alleged mastermind of the attacks, Khalid Sheikh Mohammed, appeared in a Guantanamo military court for the first time Thursday. A reporter looks at the proceedings and the legal issues they raise.

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June 5, 2008
Update
Top Air Force Officials Ousted After Series of Missteps
Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates asked for the resignations Thursday of two senior Air Force leaders, a civilian official and the highest-ranking general. The move came in response to mishandling of nuclear delivery vehicle parts and a nuclear armed B-52 flight over the continental U.S.

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June 5, 2008
Update
Accused 9/11 'Mastermind' Asks for Death Sentence
The accused mastermind of Sept. 11 attacks, Khalid Sheikh Mohammed, told a military tribunal Thursday in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, that he would welcome the death penalty and wished to become a martyr.


June 4, 2008
Update
Zimbabwe Opposition Leader Tsvangirai Freed After Being Detained by Police
Zimbabwe opposition party leader Morgan Tsvangirai and several of his aides were detained at a police roadblock Wednesday ahead a run-off election later this month, his party said. Police later released Tsvangiari after holding him for eight hours.

MAY
May 28, 2008
Update
Report Accuses Peacekeepers, Aid Workers of Child Sexual Abuses
Some children in conflict and crisis zones are being sexually exploited by aid workers and peacekeepers, with much of the abuse going unreported and unpunished, the British non-profit group Save the Children said on Tuesday.


May 22, 2008
Update
Senate Slights President in $165B War Funds Bill
With the November elections on the horizon, numerous Senate Republicans broke from President Bush Thursday to help Democrats pass a $165 billion bill to fund another year of the Iraq and Afghanistan wars and a separate domestic spending package.


May 21, 2008
Report
Iraq Vets Recount Concerns Over Rules of Engagement
A panel of Democrats in the House of Representatives heard presentations last week from a group of veterans who say they witnessed and participated in widespread misconduct during their time in Iraq.

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May 20, 2008
Update
Iraqi Army Moves Into Sadr Militia Stronghold
About 10,000 Iraqi police and soldiers on Tuesday entered Sadr City in Baghdad -- formerly the scene of weeks of fighting between militants loyal to Shiite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr and Iraqi and U.S. forces -- meeting little resistance.


May 16, 2008
Forum
Examining Myanmar's Military Regime
The military government in Myanmar, the country also known as Burma, has been under close scrutiny in recent days as it has resisted allowing international aid workers in the country to assist after a deadly cyclone. Two experts answered your questions on Myanmar's military government.


May 15, 2008
Report
Funding Bill for Iraq, Afghan Wars Stalls in the House
The latest infusion of funds for U.S. forces fighting in Iraq and Afghanistan has been delayed by debate in the House of Representatives. Kwame Holman looks at debate and examines what it will mean for troops on the ground.

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May 12, 2008
Analysis
Myanmar's Rulers Hold Tight to Power Amid Cyclone Crisis
In the aftermath of last week's destructive cyclone, the humanitarian crisis in Myanmar has thrown a spotlight on the military junta governing the country. A former U.S. ambassador to Myanmar and professor born in the country examine the country's government structure.

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May 12, 2008
Forum
A Closer Look at Defense Contracts
When the U.S. military gave a new tanker contract to Northrop Grumman, its competitor, Boeing, called on the Government Accountability Office to investigate, claiming that it did not receive a fair evaluation. Two retired generals who works as consultants to either company answered your questions.


May 11, 2008
Update
More Aid Enters Myanmar; Referendum Vote Held
Food and water began reaching more of Myanmar's cyclone victims Sunday, but the government made no indication that it would allow foreign aid workers into the country to distribute the goods.


May 9, 2008
Conversation
Frances Richey's Poetry Speaks to Son's Role as Soldier
"The Warrior" by Frances Richey is composed of 28 poems written by the poet to her son, Ben, a Green Beret who has served two tours of duty in Iraq. Jeffrey Brown speaks with Richey and her son about the collection and their unique perspectives on the war.

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FUNDED IN PART BY: Poetry Foundation


May 9, 2008
Update
U.N. Resumes Aid to Myanmar Despite Junta Actions
The U.N. World Food Program said Friday it would continue to send aid to cyclone-ravaged Myanmar, despite the military government seizing the supplies at the airport in order to distribute the shipments on its own.


May 6, 2008
Report
Boeing, Northrop Grumman Clash Over Tanker Contract
Aircraft companies Boeing and Northrop Grumman are locked in a battle for an air tanker contract from the U.S. Air Force. The fight has stretched from courtrooms to Capitol Hill, as legislators representing the companies' respective districts join the fray.

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May 6, 2008
Report
Extended Interview: Ronald Sugar, chairman and CEO of Northrop Grumman
Ronald Sugar, chairman and CEO of Northrop Grumman, discusses securing the Air Force's contract to build a new fleet of refueling aircraft and his reaction to Boeing's appeal of the decision in this extended interview.


May 6, 2008
Report
Extended Interview: Air Force Gen. Ronald Fogleman
Gen. Ronald Fogleman, Air Force chief of staff from 1994 to 1997 and a Boeing consultant, offers his perspective on the Air Force's controversial decision to award Northrop Grumman the contract to build a fleet of air tankers.


May 6, 2008
Report
Extended Interview: Air Force Gen. Gregory Martin
Gen. Gregory Martin, former commander of the Air Force Material Command and a Northrop Grumman consultant, talks about the competition process and eventual awarding of the Air Force's contract to Northrop Grumman for new refueling aircraft.


May 6, 2008
Report
Extended Interview: Mark McGraw, vice president of Boeing's tanker program
Mark McGraw, vice president of Boeing's tanker program, expresses his dismay at the Air Force granting the air tanker contract to Nothrop Grumman and the steps Boeing is taking in response.


May 6, 2008
Report
Extended Interview: Sen. Patty Murray, D-Wash.
Sen. Patty Murray, D-Wash., a member of the Defense Appropriations Subcommittee, discusses her objections to the Air Force giving Nothrop Grumman the contract for new refueling airplanes, instead of Boeing.


May 6, 2008
Report
Extended Interview: Sen. Richard Shelby, R-Ala.
Sen. Richard Shelby, R-Ala., a member of the Defense Appropriations Subcommittee, recounts how Northrop Grumman garnered the Air Force's contract for building new air tankers, and how his state would benefit.


May 1, 2008
Analysis
New Policy Urges Soldiers to Seek Mental Health Care
In a bid to encourage veterans to get needed counseling, the Pentagon said Thursday that most military and civilian employees will no longer be required to disclose mental health treatment when applying for government jobs. Experts examine the impact of the new rule.

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FUNDED IN PART BY: Robert Wood Johnson


May 1, 2008
Analysis
Attack on Terror Target Sheds Light on Somalia's Instability
The U.S. military led airstrikes against terrorism suspects in Somalia Thursday, killing a suspected al-Qaida leader. A panel of experts offer perspective on what the strike may mean for security in the region, the Somali people and the U.S. war on terror.

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May 1, 2008
Update
U.S. Kills Suspected al-Qaida Leader in Somali Airstrikes
U.S. war planes killed the suspected head of al-Qaida in Somalia and as many as 30 other people Thursday in overnight airstrikes. The New York Times' East Africa bureau chief discusses the target and the operation.

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May 1, 2008
Update
U.S. Airstrikes Kill al-Qaida Leader in Somalia
U.S. war planes killed the suspected head of al-Qaida in Somalia and as many as 30 other people Thursday in an overnight airstrike, a U.S. defense official said. The head of the Islamic insurgent group confirmed the attack killed its leader.

APRIL
April 30, 2008
Analysis
Afghan Forces Target Taliban in Kabul in Latest Bout of Unrest
Afghan security forces engaged in a firefight with Taliban fighters in the capital city of Kabul Wednesday, blowing up a home and reportedly killing two militants and a woman and child inside. Two analysts assess the security situation in Afghanistan.

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April 30, 2008
Update
U.S. Deaths Hit Seven-Month High in Iraq
The killings of three American soldiers in separate attacks in Baghdad on Tuesday brought the monthly death toll for U.S. troops in Iraq to 47, the highest since September, the military reported.


April 29, 2008
Report
Iraqis Seek Refuge in U.S. After Working With American Forces
Facing the threat of kidnapping, torture, and beheadings, Iraqi interpreters who have worked for U.S. forces are seeking refuge for themselves and their families in the United States. Lee Hochberg of Oregon Public Broadcasting reports on their search for safety.

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April 28, 2008
Update
Three U.S. Soldiers Killed in Baghdad Rocket Attack
Three U.S. soldiers were killed in a Baghdad rocket attack Monday, following a weekend in which U.S. forces killed 45 Shiite militia fighters during fierce battles in the Iraqi capital. New York Times reporter Michael Gordon updates the story from Baghdad.

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April 28, 2008
Update
Afghan President Escapes Assassination Attempt
Afghan security officials on Monday hunted for suspects in the attempted assassination of President Hamid Karzai during an attack that killed three people.


April 25, 2008
Analysis
Analysts Mull N. Korea's Link to Syrian Nuclear Site
Following the CIA's release of information on Thursday linking Syria's supposed nuclear reactor site to North Korean technology, analysts review the evidence and discuss the future of relations between the U.S. and North Korea.

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April 24, 2008
Update
CIA Presents New Evidence of Syria-N. Korea Nuclear Link
CIA officials briefed House and Senate members Thursday on classified evidence, including a video, linking North Korea to a Syrian nuclear facility that Israel bombed in September 2007. A reporter discusses the details of the emerging story.

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April 24, 2008
Analysis
Government Curries Favor With Military News Analysts
The Pentagon may influence the analysis of some retired military personnel who appear on television news programs, the New York Times recently reported. Media insiders discuss the details of this murky world of defense companies, the current administration and the war in Iraq.

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April 24, 2008
Update
U.S. to Illustrate N. Korea-Syria Nuclear Ties
CIA Director Michael Hayden and other intelligence officials are briefing House and Senate members Thursday on classified evidence linking North Korea to a Syrian nuclear facility that Israel bombed in September 2007.


April 23, 2008
Analysis
Petraeus Tapped to Head Mideast Central Command
Defense Secretary Robert Gates nominated Wednesday Gen. David Petraeus to head the U.S. Central Command, which oversees operations in Iraq and Afghanistan. Military experts analyze the change in role and what it means for U.S. military efforts in the region.

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April 22, 2008
Report
Iraq War Remains Clearly Divisive Issue for Pa. Democrats
For a state that ranks third in the number of its soldiers killed in Iraq, the issue of what American policy should be in the war-torn nation remains a top concern and has divided Pennsylvania Democrats -- even though Sens. Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton have almost identical voting records and proposals on the matter.


April 21, 2008
Update
Iraq PM Seeks Neighbors' Diplomatic, Fiscal Help
Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki on Monday urged other Arab countries to reopen their embassies in the capital and to cancel his country's debts as a show of support for his government as it cracks down on militias in Iraq.


April 17, 2008
Update
Bombing at Sunni Funeral Kills Dozens in Iraq
A funeral for two anti-al-Qaida Sunni tribesman in a town north of Baghdad was the target of a suicide bombing Thursday that killed at least 50 people and wounded many more, according to local police.


April 16, 2008
Analysis
Iran's Role in Iraq, Nuclear Ambitions Cloud U.S. Policy
Six-nation talks over Iran's nuclear ambitions ended Wednesday in stalemate, though President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said he was open to continued talks. Amid allegations of an Iranian role in Iraqi violence, analysts consider the state of U.S.-Iranian relations.

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April 15, 2008
Update
Deadly Car Bombs Kill Dozens in Baqouba, Ramadi
Car bombs and a suicide attacker struck Baghdad and cities to the north and west of the capital on Tuesday, killing nearly 60 people and shattering a recent lull in violence in predominantly Sunni areas while fighting rages in the country's south.


April 11, 2008
Update
Assassination of Al-Sadr Aide Threatens Cease-fire
A relative and senior aide of radical Shiite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr was killed Friday in the holy city of Najaf. The assassination threatens to raise tensions amid a violent standoff between al-Sadr's Mahdi Army and the U.S.-backed Iraqi government.


April 10, 2008
Analysis
Shorter Iraq Tours Aim to Ease Strain on Troops
President Bush supported Gen. David Petraeus' call to halt future troop drawdowns in Iraq Thursday but also announced that the Army will return to 12-month deployments to help ease the burden on troops. Military experts debate the impact on the U.S. military and its capabilities.

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April 9, 2008
Analysis
House Members Discuss Petraeus, Crocker Iraq Hearing
Gen. David Petraeus, the top U.S. commander in Iraq, and Ambassador Ryan Crocker briefed Congress for a second day Wednesday, discussing the situation in Iraq with lawmakers in the House. Two House members reflect on the hearings and the road ahead for Iraq policy.

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April 9, 2008
Report
Petraeus, Crocker Offer Subdued Review of Iraq Mission
General David Petraeus and Ambassador to Iraq Ryan Crocker continued their reports on Iraq before Congress for a second day. Kwame Holman recaps the hearings.

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April 8, 2008
Analysis
Hearings Rekindle Debate on Military Progress in Iraq
Gen. David Petraeus recommended a halt to future troop withdrawals to "preserve the still-fragile security gains" in Iraq during Senate hearings Tuesday with U.S. Ambassador to Baghdad Ryan Crocker. Military experts analyze what the testimony reveals about Iraq's security and progress.

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April 8, 2008
Report
Petraeus, Crocker Deliver Iraq Status Report to Congress
In a long-anticipated progress report on Iraq, Army Gen. David Petraeus and U.S. Ambassador to Iraq Ryan Crocker testified before two Senate hearings Tuesday, where they warned Congress that security gains were "fragile."

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April 7, 2008
Analysis
Most Iraq War Movies Enjoy Little Box Office Success
While a plethora of recent movies have focused on the Iraq war, few have succeeded at the box office. The director of the new film "Stop-Loss" and a film critic discuss this phenomenon.

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April 7, 2008
Update
Aide Says Cleric Al-Sadr Willing to Disband Militia
An aide to Muqtada al-Sadr said Monday the Shiite cleric will consult with top religious leaders and disband his Mahdi Army if they order it. The militia has been fighting government forces in several places in Iraq.


April 3, 2008
Update
U.S. Wins NATO Support for Missile Shield Plan
President Bush secured NATO endorsement Thursday for his plans to construct a missile defense shield in Europe despite firm Russian opposition but failed to win backing for the quick accession of Ukraine and Georgia to the alliance.


April 2, 2008
Insider Forum
Rubin Answered Your Questions on Afghanistan
In the fall of 2007, New York Times Magazine contributing writer Elizabeth Rubin and photographer Lynsey Addario shadowed U.S. forces in the Korengal Valley in northeastern Afghanistan, an area known for its insurgency. Rubin answered your questions on Afghanistan and her reporting trip.

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FUNDED IN PART BY: The Knight Foundation


April 1, 2008
Conversation
Journalist Describes Army Unit Tour in Afghanistan
Elizabeth Rubin, a contributing writer for the New York Times Magazine, describes life for a U.S. Army company assigned to a remote outpost in Afghanistan.

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MARCH
March 28, 2008
Update
U.S. Forces Launch Airstrikes as Fighting Flares in Basra, Baghdad
U.S. forces launched airstrikes Friday in Basra, joining Iraqi forces in an effort to quell Shiite militia fighting in both the southern port city and in parts of Baghdad. New York Times reporter James Glanz provides an update on the latest developments from Baghdad.

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March 28, 2008
Analysis
Iraq, Democratic Rivalry Top the Week's Headlines
New violence in Iraq pitted security forces against Shiite militias, likely GOP nominee Sen. John McCain outlined his foreign policy plans and Democratic Party chairman Howard Dean called for a cooling of the rhetoric between presidential rivals Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton. Mark Shields and David Brooks discuss the week.

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March 28, 2008
Update
North Korea Missile Test Renews Nuclear Jitters
North Korea test-fired a battery of short-range missiles Friday in what some analysts viewed as a show of the reclusive state's anger at Washington and South Korea's new conservative government.


March 27, 2008
Update
Iraqi Crackdown on Militants Continues in Basra
Iraqi security forces continued to battle Shiite militants in the port city of Basra and in the capital Baghdad on Thursday, as Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki vowed to fight "until the end," despite mounting protests against his actions.


March 26, 2008
Report
Five Years In, Cost of Iraq War Far Exceeds Early Estimates
In a follow-up report to a series on the cost of war, Paul Solman examines the new estimates for short- and long-term expenditures related to the ongoing conflict in Iraq -- including military recruitment, equipment and medical treatment for those injured.

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March 26, 2008
Update
Somali Islamists Capture Town; Aid Agencies Call for Action
Islamist fighters took control of the town of Jowhar, Somalia, on Wednesday in an ongoing insurgency against the Western-backed government that has gathered steam in recent months.


March 26, 2008
Update
Iraq Leader Gives Basra Gunmen Ultimatum
As fighting continued between Iraqi security forces and Shiite militia fighters in the oil-rich port city of Basra, Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki gave an ultimatum Wednesday for gunmen to lay down their arms and forsake violence by week's end.


March 25, 2008
Update
Fighting Rages for Control of Oil-Hub Basra
Iraqi police and soldiers battled Muqtada al-Sadr's Mahdi fighters Tuesday for control of key neighborhoods in Basra, the country's second-largest city, as the radical Shiite cleric threatened a countrywide campaign of civil revolt.


March 24, 2008
Analysis
As Iraq War Pushes On, Media Coverage Shifts
As the U.S. military death toll in Iraq hit 4,000 and the war entered its fifth year, a study by the Pew Research Center found that the number of news stories about the Iraq war has fallen dramatically in the past year. Media analysts assess how the press is covering the conflict and the impact on public awareness of the war.

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March 24, 2008
Report
Baghdad Bombing Raises U.S. Casualities in Iraq to 4,000
The U.S. military death toll in Iraq reached 4,000 after four soldiers were killed by a roadside bomb Sunday. Ray Suarez examines the numbers behind the American toll so far.

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March 20, 2008
Slide Show
5 Years Later: Sgt. Andrew Hillstrom's Story
Five years into the Iraq war, thousands of injured U.S. soldiers are travelling a long road to recovery. The Online NewsHour talked to wounded veterans about their time in the military and in Iraq. This is Sgt. Andrew Hillstrom's story.


March 20, 2008
Update
China Sends More Troops to Tibet to Curb Protests
China sent 80 trucks carrying paramilitary police to the Tibetan capital of Lhasa Thursday to quell anti-government protests, while the Dalai Lama offered to meet with Chinese leaders.


March 19, 2008
Slide Show
5 Years Later in Iraq: Spc. William Haywood's Story
Five years into the Iraq war, thousands of injured U.S. soldiers are travelling a long road to recovery. The Online NewsHour talked to four wounded veterans about their time in the military and in Iraq. This Spc. William Haywood's story.


March 19, 2008
Slide Show
5 Years Later: Cpl. Jeffrey Reffner's Story
Five years into the Iraq war, thousands of injured U.S. soldiers are travelling a long road to recovery. The Online NewsHour talked to four wounded veterans about their time in the military and in Iraq. This is Cpl. Jeffrey Reffner's story. As a warning, this slide show contains graphic images.


March 18, 2008
Slide Show
Afghanistan Counterinsurgency Campaigns
In the fall of 2007, New York Times Magazine contributing writer Elizabeth Rubin and photographer Lynsey Addario shadowed U.S. forces in the Korengal Valley in northeastern Afghanistan, an area along the Pakistani border known for its insurgency. Warning: Some of the following photographs contain graphic imagery.


March 17, 2008
Update
Serbs Clash with U.N., NATO Forces in Kosovo
Hundreds of Serbians protesters fought with U.N. and NATO forces Monday at a Kosovska Mitrovica courthouse in the worst violence since Kosovo claimed its independence a month ago.


March 11, 2008
Update
Top U.S. Military Commander for Mideast to Retire
The top U.S. military officer in charge of Iraq and Afghanistan resigned Tuesday -- less than a year after taking command -- amid speculation about a rift over U.S. policy in Iran.


March 11, 2008
Debate
As Violence Peaks and Dips, Debate Over 'Surge' Persists
President Bush said Tuesday he believes last year's surge of 30,000 U.S. troops to Iraq -- which has been attributed with helping reduce the violence in some parts of Baghdad -- is working. Military policy experts debate the effectiveness of the surge strategy.

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March 11, 2008
Update
Top U.S. Commander in Mideast Steps Down
The top military commander for the Middle East, Admiral William J. Fallon, resigned Tuesday amid speculation that he disagreed with the Bush administration's policy toward Iran. Time magazine reporter Mark Thompson details the story.

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March 10, 2008
Update
Suicide Bomber Kills 5 U.S. Soldiers in Baghdad
A suicide bomber killed five American soldiers on a foot patrol Monday in central Baghdad, the U.S. military said. It was the deadliest attack on U.S. forces in Iraq since Jan. 28, when five soldiers were killed by a roadside bomb in Mosul.


March 10, 2008
Update
Pakistan Parties Unite to Challenge Musharraf
The widower of Benazir Bhutto and a former Pakistan prime minister announced Sunday that their political parties -- Pakistan's largest -- would form a new coalition government.


March 6, 2008
Analysis
Air Force Tanker Contract Stirs Controversy
An Air Force decision to award Northrop Grumman and its European partners a contract to build $40 billion worth of new aircraft is drawing criticism from U.S. producer Boeing as well as members of Congress. A Washington state congressman and a defense expert discuss the dispute.

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March 3, 2008
Update
U.S. Targets al-Qaida Member in Somalia Attack
The United States launched an attack against "a known al-Qaida terrorist" in a southern Somali town, the Pentagon said Monday.

FEBRUARY
Feb. 29, 2008
Update
Turkey Withdraws from Iraq; 'Chemical Ali' Execution OK'd
Turkey pulled its troops out of northern Iraq on Friday, ending a major offensive against Kurdish PKK rebels that began more than a week ago.


Feb. 25, 2008
Newsmaker Interview
Senators Weigh U.S. Policy in South Asia after Visit
Sens. Joseph Biden, D-Del., and Chuck Hagel, R- Neb., recently traveled to Pakistan, Afghanistan, India and Turkey in an effort to review the state of security and U.S. diplomacy in the critical regions. The lawmakers assess U.S. relations in South Asia and the recent Turkish incursion into northern Iraq.

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Feb. 22, 2008
Report
New Technology Improves Care for Wounded Troops
Drawing on new technologies as well as lessons learned in Iraq, the U.S. military is using both new technology and improved methods to treat wounded soldiers, leading to higher survival rates overall. Tom Bearden reports on these advances.

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FUNDED IN PART BY: Robert Wood Johnson


Feb. 22, 2008
Update
In Iraq, Al-Sadr Extends Cease-fire Order to Militia
Anti-U.S. cleric Muqtada al-Sadr announced Friday that he has extended a cease-fire order to his Shiite militia in Iraq for another six months, allowing the country more time to recover from brutal sectarian violence.


Feb. 20, 2008
Analysis
U.S. Plan to Shoot Down Satellite Delayed by Weather
The U.S. military's plan to shoot down a defunct spy satellite rather than let it fall out of the sky was delayed by rough seas and and strong winds in the Pacific Ocean. Experts debate the effort and how it might fit into the Pentagon's larger space strategy.

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FUNDED IN PART BY: National Science Foundation


Feb. 20, 2008
Insider Forum
Legal Experts Answered Your Questions on Sept. 11 Trials
The Pentagon recently charged six Guantanamo detainees with crimes tied to the Sept. 11 attacks. They will now face trial by a military commission that could sentence them to death. Two legal experts answer your questions on the road ahead for the Sept. 11 trials and the debate over how the law applies to detainees.

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FUNDED IN PART BY: The Knight Foundation


Feb. 18, 2008
Update
Two Days of Attacks Leave Over 100 Dead in Afghanistan
A suicide car bomber plowed into a Canadian military convoy, killing 37 people at a busy market in southern Afghanistan on Monday, a day after a bomber blew himself up at a dog fight outside Kandahar, leaving more than 100 people dead.


Feb. 12, 2008
Report
War Vets Still Struggle With Education Costs, Despite G.I. Bill Benefit
John Merrow reports on how education benefits offered through the G.I. Bill are issued to soldiers returning from the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan and the renewed efforts by some members of Congress to expand the bill, which has seen reduced funding over the years.

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Feb. 12, 2008
Update
Defense Secretary Backs 'Pause' in Iraq Troop Withdrawal
Defense Secretary Robert Gates said Monday that he supports a brief pause in U.S. troop reductions once the initial pullout of five combat brigades is completed in July.


Feb. 11, 2008
Analysis
Pentagon Charges Six Detainees With Crimes Tied to 9/11
The Pentagon announced Monday it had charged six Guantanamo detainees with murder and war crimes in connection with the Sept. 11 attacks and will seek the death penalty against them, setting the stage for trials by military tribunal. Legal experts discuss the move.

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Feb. 7, 2008
Update
Afghan War Troop Levels Strain NATO Alliance
NATO is struggling to remain unified over the war in Afghanistan after the United States raised concerns that some members of the Western alliance were not willing to let their troops "fight and die" to defeat the Taliban.


Feb. 5, 2008
Update
CIA Chief Confirms Waterboarding; Al-Qaida Regrouping in Pakistan
Top intelligence officers publicly confirmed for the first time that three suspected terrorists were waterboarded and warned that al-Qaida is establishing cells in other countries, particularly Pakistan, to plan attacks within the United States.

JANUARY
Jan. 31, 2008
Update
Stress Disorder, Concussion Raise Risks for Iraq Vets
As many as one in six soldiers who serve in Iraq and Afghanistan suffer from a concussion or other head injury during their service, and many of them report long-term health effects, such as irritability, headaches, and memory and balance problems.


Jan. 30, 2008
Update
Report Finds 'Failures' in Israeli Leadership During Lebanon War
A final report on Israel's 2006 Lebanon war issued Wednesday that had threatened to derail Prime Minister Ehud Olmert's government found "failures and shortcomings" by Israel's political and military leadership.


Jan. 29, 2008
Update
Formal Mediation Begins in Conflict-torn Kenya
Former U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan began formal mediation talks Tuesday in Kenya, where post-election violence has killed hundreds and driven thousands from their homes.


Jan. 28, 2008
Update
Canada Threatens Troop Pullout from Afghanistan
Canada will pull its 2,500 troops out of Afghanistan in early 2009 unless NATO adds soldiers in the dangerous southern region, Prime Minister Stephen Harper said Monday, signaling Ottawa has lost patience with what it sees as allies' foot-dragging.


Jan. 25, 2008
Report
Drop in Violence in Iraq Opens Door to Local-level Talks
A subtle turning point occurred in Iraq in the fall of 2007 when security improved and violence abated to a point where grassroots reconciliation and community rebuilding efforts could take root.


Jan. 23, 2008
Update
Rebels in Democratic Republic of Congo Sign Peace Pact
Rebels and militia groups in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo signed a cease-fire agreement aimed at ending the conflict that continued to rage after the end of the country's 1998-2003 war.


Jan. 18, 2008
Analysis
Candidates Gear Up for Nevada, S.C. Nominating Contests
Ahead of the Nevada and South Carolina contests, presidential candidates are making last-minute pitches and voters are mulling their picks. Analysts Mark Shields and David Brooks assess the week's news, including how issues like the economy may factor in at the polls.

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Jan. 18, 2008
Newsmaker Interview
Adm. Fallon Examines Afghan Conflict, Tensions With Iran
The head of U.S. Central Command, Adm. William Fallon, oversees U.S. military operations in the Middle East, including Iraq, as well as Afghanistan and parts of Asia and Africa. In an interview with Ray Suarez, Adm. Fallon discusses the state of U.S. efforts in these regions and developments in Afghanistan, Pakistan and Iran.

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Jan. 18, 2008
Update
AU Head Calls for Peacekeepers to Stay in Somalia
African Union Commission Chairman Alpha Oumar Konare called Friday for peacekeeping troops to remain in Somalia for an additional six months amid near daily clashes in the capital, Mogadishu.


Jan. 17, 2008
Update
Israel Steps Up Airstrikes on Militants in Gaza
Israel has intensified airstrikes on parts of the Gaza Strip to squelch rocket and mortar attacks fired from Palestinian territory controlled by the militant group Hamas.


Jan. 16, 2008
Update
Police, Protesters Clash Amid Opposition Rallies in Kenya
Police lobbed tear gas into crowds in cities around Kenya Wednesday and at least one person was reported dead at the start of three planned days of protests over presidential elections.


Jan. 15, 2008
Update
Musharraf Orders Security Measures in Lead-up to Elections
Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf said he ordered troops to shoot anyone trying to disrupt parliamentary elections scheduled for Feb. 18 as the country battles a rise in attacks blamed on Muslim extremists.


Jan. 11, 2008
Analysis
Mixed Progress in Iraq Amid New Offensives, Possible Anbar Handover
As President Bush visited Kuwait Friday, U.S. commanders claimed success in newly launched offensives in Iraq against al-Qaida targets. The news comes as the United States aims to transfer control of the once-restive Anbar province to Iraqis. Analysts look at the developments.

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Jan. 10, 2008
Update
U.S. Considers Adding 3,000 Marines to Fight in Afghanistan
The Pentagon is preparing to send at least 3,000 Marines to Afghanistan to bolster efforts to thwart another expected Taliban offensive in the spring, military officials said.


Jan. 8, 2008
Update
Joint U.N.-AU Convoy Comes Under Attack in Darfur
Unidentified gunmen opened fire on a United Nations-African Union supply convoy in Sudan's war-torn Darfur region, the first attack on the newly formed peacekeeping force, officials said Tuesday.


Jan. 7, 2008
Update
Kenyan President to Meet with Opposition Leader After Week of Violence
Kenyan President Mwai Kibaki invited opposition leader Raila Odinga to his residence for talks Monday, hours after Odinga called off nationwide rallies in an effort to curb violence in the country over the recent disputed presidential election.


Jan. 2, 2008
Analysis
Military Investigation into '05 Haditha Killings Raises Questions
The Marine Corps announced this week that two Marines would be court-martialed for their involvement in a 2005 incident in Haditha, Iraq, that saw 24 Iraqi civilians killed. A retired Army lawyer and a former Iraqi U.N. representative examine the probe of the killings.

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Jan. 2, 2008
Update
Sri Lanka Government Ends Cease-fire with Rebels
Sri Lanka's government ended a six-year cease-fire with Tamil Tiger rebels Wednesday amid continued violence, including most recently a roadside bomb that exploded near a bus in the capital city of Colombo, killing four people.

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