Middle East

US pushes for truce as Gaza battle rages

Israeli troops battled Hamas militants on Wednesday near a southern Gaza Strip town as the top U.S. diplomat reported progress in efforts to end fighting that has so far killed more than 680 Palestinians and 34 Israelis.
Iraq lawmakers postpone vote on new president

Iraq's parliament agreed to postpone a vote for a new president by a day on Wednesday as the extremist Islamic State group claimed responsibility for a suicide bombing in Baghdad the night before that killed 31 people, mainly civilians.
US troops in Afghanistan sent waste to open burn pits, report finds

Although the U.S. has spent millions to build incinerators in Afghanistan to avoid exposing anyone to toxic smoke from open burning, American troops sent waste to an Afghan-operated open pit for five months last year, according to an inspector general’s report issued late Monday.

Mideast

Afghanistan

Iraq

Israel

Saudi Arabia

Pakistan

House panel: US missed chances to head off Islamic State

The Obama administration missed key opportunities over the past six months to beat back the Islamic State assault on Iraq with targeted drone strikes, lawmakers on the House Foreign Affairs Committee said Wednesday.
ANALYSIS

As US draws curtain on combat role, resilient Taliban plans patient comeback

In the twilight of a U.S.-led combat mission that has claimed the lives of more than 3,300 foreign troops and tens of thousands of Afghans, the Taliban’s military position is in many ways as strong as ever.
FEATURE REPORT

Afghan army's rusty tank relics still roll into battle

The Afghan National Army's tanks barely look ready to drive around the block, let alone fight a war. But from a base on the outskirts of the capital city of Kabul, a few hundred Afghan soldiers still ride rusting museum pieces into battle against the Taliban.

5 attackers killed in Taliban raid on Kabul airport July 17, 2014
DOD proposes wider use of Afghanistan war fund July 16, 2014
Watchdog calls for delay in delivering more C-130s to Afghan air force July 16, 2014
Report: Assessment shows risk to potential US advisers in Iraq July 14, 2014
US, NATO step up to overcome Afghan electoral dispute July 14, 2014

House panel: US missed chances to head off Islamic State

Afghanistan criticizes Pakistan; policeman killed

The Afghan intelligence service has accused Pakistan of stoking instability by backing militants who stage attacks in Afghanistan.

For civilians fleeing in Gaza, escape options are few

UN rights chief warns of possible Gaza war crimes
Kerry cites progress in Gaza cease-fire talks
Afghanistan criticizes Pakistan; policeman killed July 23, 2014
Israel, Hamas battle over public opinion online July 23, 2014
Gaza families plead for evacuation amid battle July 23, 2014
For civilians fleeing in Gaza, escape options are few July 23, 2014
As Ramadan fast ends, the feasts begin July 22, 2014
From front-row seat, Israeli town cheers assault on Gaza July 22, 2014
Iraq: Death toll from Baghdad attack rises to 31 July 22, 2014
American Jews, other 'lone soldiers' serve Israel July 22, 2014
Iraqi Christians flee Mosul after militant threats July 22, 2014
Gaza blockade key to any Israel-Hamas truce deal

Kerry visits Afghanistan in bid to broker election resolution

U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry spent Friday in Afghanistan meeting with political leaders in a bid to defuse a deepening dispute over the presidential elections that threatens the future of international aid and involvement in the country.
Nominee to lead troops in Afghanistan sees ‘good news’

Senators on Thursday pressed nominees to top military posts on how to avoid a repeat of the recent Iraq debacle — where a U.S.-trained military collapsed in the face of a smaller insurgent force — in Afghanistan as the war there draws to a close.
Hagel suggests Islamic State militants pose threat to US homeland

During a troop talk at Naval Submarine Base Kings Bay, Georgia, Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel suggested that the Islamic State insurgent group poses a direct threat to the United States.
AFN Bahrain reaches out to growing audience with overhaul

The American Forces Network station in Bahrain is getting a much needed upgrade that involves replacing everything from the radio board to the floor mats, as AFN officials strive to improve the station’s signal.
UN: Civilian casualties in Afghanistan hit record highs

Civilians are being killed and injured in record numbers in Afghanistan, the United Nations said Wednesday.

Most Read
Facebook
Reddit
Comments

‘Generation Kill’ NCO charged with sexual abuse of minor July 22, 2014
Senate moves to rein in career colleges popular among troops July 22, 2014
Navy spouse fighting back to keep fitness program she founded July 22, 2014
'Slenderman' attack victim, 12, receives a Purple Heart July 22, 2014
Air Force launching satellites to spy on other satellites July 22, 2014
American Jews, other 'lone soldiers' serve Israel July 22, 2014
Maj. Gen. Longo, deputy USAREUR commander, retires July 22, 2014
82nd Airborne troops go back to basics with short-notice training exercise July 21, 2014
NATO commander: Equipment movement points to Russian role in plane crash July 22, 2014
US troops in Afghanistan sent waste to open burn pits, report finds July 22, 2014

Newsletters
Vet Jobs
Book Club

Newsletters

Receive free news alerts by subscribing to one or more of our newsletters (Stars and Stripes Daily Headlines and Weekly Update or Stripes Store) to keep up-to-date!