By Gerry J. Gilmore
American Forces Press Service
WASHINGTON, Feb. 3, 2009 – Pentagon and NATO officials are weighing options to act against Afghanistan’s poppy-producing industry in light of evidence indicating that associated illegal drug sales help to fund terrorist operations, a senior Defense Department spokesman told reporters here yesterday.
The illegal drug business in Afghanistan “does have […]

By Gerry J. Gilmore
American Forces Press Service
WASHINGTON, Jan. 23, 2009 – As the Defense Department prepares plans to close the U.S. detention center at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, defense officials acknowledge the possibility that released detainees could return to the battlefield.
“It’s something that we’re cognizant of. It’s obviously something that we try to assess at the […]

By Donna Miles
American Forces Press Service
WASHINGTON, Jan. 21, 2009 – The Senate voted overwhelmingly this afternoon to confirm Sen. Hillary Clinton as secretary of state and as a member of President Barack Obama’s national security team.
The Senate confirmed Clinton’s nomination by a 94-to-2 vote.
Clinton has represented New York since her election in 2000 and has […]

By Gerry J. Gilmore
American Forces Press Service
WASHINGTON, Jan. 21, 2009 – Responding to a presidential directive, Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates yesterday ordered a suspension of active military commission proceedings at the U.S. detention center at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, a senior Pentagon official said here today.
President Barack Obama, who had called for the Guantanamo facility’s […]

HarpBlaster.com News Wire
WASHINGTON — President Bush, in his farewell address to the nation, said that while debate may exist about some of the “tough decisions” he made during his eight years in office, the country is safer.
“I have followed my conscience and done what I thought was right. You may not agree with some […]

Voice of America
WASHINGTON — U.S. President George Bush has given his farewell speech to the nation, five days before President-elect Barack Obama takes office.
In remarks made from the White House, Bush on Thursday called the first eight years of this century a “time of consequence” but said he leaves office with a thankful heart.
He recalled […]

By John J. Kruzel
American Forces Press Service
WASHINGTON, Jan. 15, 2009 – On the heels of a fact-finding trip to the Middle East, Vice President-elect Joe Biden described his impression of the U.S. mission in the region and praised the American troops he encountered there.
Speaking to reporters here yesterday, Biden emphasized that President-elect Barack Obama’s reason […]

By Michael J. Carden
American Forces Press Service
WASHINGTON, Jan. 9, 2009 – Peace and stability in Afghanistan are incomplete without improving relations among the country and its neighbors, the top U.S. military commander in the region said here yesterday.
Army Gen. David H. Petraeus, U.S. Central Command commander, told an audience at the Washington Convention Center that […]

Voice of America
An American newspaper says the U.S. military has conducted nearly a dozen secret raids against al-Qaida and other terrorist groups in Syria, Pakistan and other countries since 2004.
The New York Times cites anonymous U.S. senior officials in its report Monday saying the raids were authorized by a classified order given by then-Defense Secretary […]

By Steve Herman
Voice of America
KABUL, Oct. 5, 2008 — A Taliban field commander has been recaptured after breaking his pledge not to fight Afghanistan’s government. VOA Correspondent Steve Herman reports from Kabul this marks the third time the Taliban figure finds himself nabbed by his foes.
The International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan says NATO-led troops […]