Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates laid out plans to rein in Pentagon spending. And, Mullen says the “mission is changing” as the US military shifts it’s focus.  

Mission is Changing, Mullen Says

After nine years of constant combat, the U.S. military is shifting focus from executing the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq to helping the troops who’ve fought them adjust to life outside the war zone, the nation’s top officer said Monday at Joint Base Lewis-McChord.

Pentagon identifies fallen Lejeune Marines

Two Marines were killed during an attempted prisoner escape this weekend in southern Afghanistan.

NATO officials said Monday that the Marines died while trying to subdue a prisoner Saturday who had escaped from a room where he was observing prayers. The prisoner acquired a rifle, and then shot at Afghan and coalition forces.

Pentagon Plans Steps to Reduce Budget and Jobs

WASHINGTON — Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates said Monday that he would close a military command, restrict the use of outside contractors and reduce the number of generals and admirals across the armed forces as part of a broad effort to rein in Pentagon spending.

Law Blocks Mailing Smokes to War Zones

NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Family and friends have suddenly found themselves blocked from shipping cigarettes and other tobacco products to American troops in Afghanistan and Iraq because of a new law meant to hamper smuggling and underage sales through the mail.

Iran digs mass graves for U.S. troops

TEHRAN, Iran — Iran has dug mass graves in which to bury U.S. troops in case of any American attack on the country, a former commander of the elite Revolutionary Guard said.

NKorea fires artillery off west coast

SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — North Korea fired about 110 rounds of artillery Monday near its disputed sea border with South Korea, the South’s military said, amid high tension over the deadly sinking of a South Korean warship blamed on North Korea.

Chiarelli Rejects ‘Medicated’ Army Claim

The Army is not drugging its troops to cope with combat, Army Vice Chief of Staff Gen. Peter Chiarelli said during an Aug. 8 interview on ABC’s “This Week with Christiane Amanpour.”

Pakistan floods now worse than 2005 earthquake, say officials

Pakistan floods have already affected as many as 12 million people and destroyed or damaged more than 600,000 homes, say Pakistani officials. That’s already worse than the 2005 earthquake, but monsoon season is only half over.

Karzai: Shutter Private Security Firms

KABUL, Afghanistan — President Hamid Karzai called Saturday for the international community to stop supporting private security companies in Afghanistan, which he said have created parallel security forces in competition with police and army.

Trial to Begin in Pregnant Marine Death

JACKSONVILLE, N.C. — Investigators said Marine Cpl. Cesar Laurean had an obvious motive to kill his pregnant Marine colleague: She accused him of raping her and fathering her unborn baby.

Al-Qaida in Iraq gives cash to lure allies

BAGHDAD — Al-Qaida in Iraq has begun offering cash to lure back former Sunni allies angry over the government’s failure to give them jobs and pay their salaries on time, according to Sunni tribesmen and Iraqi officials.

CNN Video: Barbara Starr follows critically wounded troops

CNN’s Barbara Starr follows critically wounded troops on their journey out of the war zone and back to the States