Petraeus: Senior Taliban leaders show interest in reconciliation

Gen. David Petraeus said U.S. offiicals are seeing signs in Afghanistan that many Taliban members, including those at the “very senior level,” are preparing to take up the Afghan government’s offer of reconciliation following recent news that an official policy is forthcoming.

Marine general says Taliban drug trade faltering

Afghan president says airstrike killed civilians

As U.S. deaths in Afghanistan rise, military families grow critical

As U.S. combat deaths reached record levels this summer, public support is eroding for the nine-year-old conflict. More than half of those surveyed oppose the war, with the high casualty rate among concerns most often cited.

After end of Iraq mission, Obama promises drawdown for Afghanistan, too

VA sending out checks to correct GI Bill payout shortages

Veterans Affairs officials said they’ve fixed lingering processing problems with GI Bill claims, a move that should halve the time needed to approve students’ paperwork and better track payments owed to them.

12:45 September 2, 2010

Navy looking to rid ranks of under-performing troops

The Navy will review the records of some 9,500 senior enlisted sailors starting later this month, the first step in an effort to purge under-performing troops from its ranks and trim the overall force.

Psychiatrists get federal OK for PTSD-ecstasy study on veterans

Psychiatrists spearheading research into ecstasy and post-traumatic stress disorder got the final OK from federal agencies to start a study devoted to military vet. They are recruiting 16 veterans and want most of them to have been diagnosed within the last 10 years.

Stripes Central: Vets with PTSD more likely suffer dementia

See Stars and Stripes special reports on PTSD

Netanyahu and Abbas to begin direct Mideast peace talks

The Israeli and Palestinian leaders were to open direct peace negotiations Thursday after committing to work to end the conflict that has endured for six decades.

Second Hamas attack could change focus of Israeli-Palestinian peace talks

As Mideast talks begin, Palestinians find unlikely support from Jewish settlers

Military
Iraq
Afghanistan
Asia
Crime

Head of U.S. Strategic Command says he's retiring

Army reservist says unit not ready for fall deployment

Military police major found dead at Fort Stewart

Leak suspect's mental health doubted, lawyer says

Force recon platoons to return to Marine Expeditionary Units

Reaper crashes during California test flight

U.S., Iraqis mark end of combat under cloud of pessimism

Fort Hood unit ready to return to Iraq to 'pass the torch'

U.S. forces still in fight at end of combat mission

Iraqi civilian deaths dip as U.S. combat mission ends

Iraq to spend $13 billion on U.S. arms, equipment

Karzai's brother calls for U.S. to shore up Kabul Bank as withdrawals accelerate

Accounts differ on fatal NATO strike on Afghans

2 U.S. troops, dozens of Afghan insurgents killed

Gen. Petraeus calls relationship with Karzai sound

Few signs of run on Kabul Bank

Can lessons learned in Iraq work in Afghanistan?

Clinton urges female role in Afghan vote

Gas sickened girls in Afghan schools

Defense officials: S. Korea likely to delay new fighter jet program

China requires ID for mobile phone numbers

Forgotten ship: A daring rescue as Saigon fell

N. Korea seeks stronger ties with China

China and North Korea deepen ties during Kim Jong Il visit

Lindh seeks Indiana prison prayer ruling

Ex-Army analyst had manuals on artillery, agent says

Army investigates death at Fort Belvoir base in Virginia

Fort Dix conspirators seek to overturn convictions

Soldier's mental health questioned in WikiLeaks case

Oil platform explodes off La. coast; oil spreading

An oil platform exploded and caught fire Thursday off the Louisiana coast, spreading a mile-long oil sheen into the Gulf of Mexico. All 13 crew members were rescued. Coast Guard Petty Officer Bill Coklough said the sheen, about 100 feet wide, was spotted near the platform, 200 miles west of the site of BP's massive spill. Firefighting vessels were battling the flames.
Pakistan army cancels U.S. trip amid search dispute 22:23 September 1, 2010
Standoff at Discovery Channel HQ ends with gunman's death 18:23 September 1, 2010
Colorado Army post says suicide rate is falling 13:47 September 1, 2010
New Mexico National Guard deployed to border

Troops gingerly trace wire in Kandahar

On this night, Sgt. Jacob Monelo and his fellow soldiers had the job few others would want. Monelo was laboring in the lunar-like landscape, tugging the end of a command wire and rolling it up around his arm.
12:25 September 2, 2010
In Iraq, long time political deadlock perpetuates Mosul’s violence 15:07 September 2, 2010
Obama cautiously hopeful as Mideast talks begin 20:13 September 1, 2010
Kuwait to buy Patriots; says it plans no attacks
Pakistan army cancels U.S. trip amid search dispute 22:23 September 1, 2010

U.S. officers take up posts at Paris airport

American officers are taking up posts at Paris' Charles de Gaulle Airport to help identify potential terrorists or other high-risk passengers heading to the United States.
U.S. to shun military drills in Turkey 02:27 September 2, 2010
Dutch prosecutors say Yemenis freed
Greece imposes smoking ban in public spaces
Polish leader: War costs slow army's modernization 11:54 September 1, 2010

Navy looking to rid ranks of underperforming sailors

NAPLES, Italy — The Navy will review the records of some 9,500 senior enlisted sailors starting later this month, the first step in an effort to purge underperforming troops from its ranks and trim the overall force.

13 minutes ago
Navy to pay for deceased sailors' families to attend memorial services 12:07 September 2, 2010
Memorial service set for soldier killed in Afghanistan 11:33 September 2, 2010
2nd Cav soldier killed in Afghanistan remembered at ceremony 11:30 September 2, 2010
AAFES not showing 'The Tillman Story' 09:27 September 2, 2010

China census highlights growing rights awareness

After years of reforms that have reduced the government's once-pervasive involvement in most people's lives, some Chinese are proving reluctant to give up personal information and harboring suspicions about what the government plans to do with their details.
Japan prime minister candidate takes aim at U.S. basing plan 22:37 September 1, 2010
Typhoon Kompasu batters Seoul
Joint Futenma report fails to settle runway plan 02:06 September 1, 2010
Indonesia urged to increase anti-piracy patrols

Navy looking to rid ranks of underperforming sailors 16:11 September 2, 2010
Navy to pay for deceased sailors' families to attend memorial services 12:07 September 2, 2010
Memorial service set for soldier killed in Afghanistan 11:33 September 2, 2010
2nd Cav soldier killed in Afghanistan remembered at ceremony 11:30 September 2, 2010
AAFES not showing 'The Tillman Story' 09:27 September 2, 2010
Landstuhl reintegration team sees spike in troops needing care 13:41 August 31, 2010
Sembach-based soldier among 7 killed in Afghanistan 09:32 August 31, 2010
Survey seeks opinions on Army services, facilities 08:06 August 30, 2010
2 Germany-based soldiers die in accidents 10:03 August 29, 2010
New driving laws mean stiffer fines for speeding in Italy 06:12 August 28, 2010

Navy to pay for deceased sailors' families to attend memorial services 12:07 September 2, 2010
Mice join fight against invasive snakes on Guam 07:55 September 2, 2010
Heat wave to send Misawa students home early Friday 06:14 September 2, 2010
Remains of Korean War soldier identified 05:49 September 2, 2010
Okinawa Marine killed in Afghanistan 05:47 September 2, 2010
U.S.-South Korea anti-sub drill set for Yellow Sea 10:27 September 1, 2010
Military property disposal operations to consolidate in Daegu area 08:19 September 1, 2010
Typhoon damage closes Okuma military resort 07:11 September 1, 2010
Japan joins in flood relief efforts in Pakistan 07:06 September 1, 2010
Japan’s budget for supporting U.S. bases will be more transparent 06:38 September 1, 2010

Stripes Central

Veterans with PTSD more likely suffer dementia

A new study of more than 10,000 older veterans shows a link between traumatic stress and severe cognitive impairment later in life.
Pacific Storm Tracker

Tropical Depression 10W, # 2

A bit of dropoff in forecast winds, but not much of one, 80-mph gusts forecast Saturday; TCCOR-3 remains in effect.
Pacific Sportsblog

Approaching tropical depression threatens Seoul @ Kadena grid game

New tropical depression southeast of Okinawa may force early start to Saturday's interarea grid clash.
Pacific Storm Tracker

Tropical depression 10W: The meaning of Malou

Malou would be TD 10W's name; a Macauan word for agate, or chalcedony, a translucent variety of quartz.
Pacific Storm Tracker

Tropical depression 10W, # 1; Okinawa bound and rumbling

New tropical depression forms northwest of Guam, sets sights on Okinawa; 86-mph gusts forecast for Saturday.
Pacific Storm Tracker

Typhoon 08W (Kompasu), Osan Air Base aftermath

Trees, power lines downed, roofs damaged, power outages reported at Osan Air Base due to Typhoon Kompasu.