An Afghan warlord once close to Osama bin Laden has received the backing of President Karzai for post of speaker of the new parliament. And, on Friday, Pentagon will outline training for DADT repeal.

Al-Qaida leader admits facing pressure from drones

ISLAMABAD (AP) — A purported al-Qaida leader in Pakistan says the terror network is losing territory and fighters amid a U.S. drone strike campaign, according to an audio message monitored by a U.S. organization that tracks militant propaganda.

Karzai’s pick for parliament speaker accused of atrocities
KABUL, Afghanistan — An Afghan warlord who’s accused of gross human rights violations and was once close to Osama bin Laden has received the backing of President Hamid Karzai for the important post of speaker of the new parliament, which was inaugurated Wednesday.
A Reservist in a New War, Against Foreclosure

While Sgt. James B. Hurley was away at war, he lost a heartbreaking battle at home

Veterans receive assistance from California support group

California servicemembers are receiving help from the Morro Bay Veterans Support Group, which hosted its first meeting last week. Officials who put the group together educated military members about veterans benefits, according to California news provider KSBY.

Pentagon to Outline Training for DADT Repeal

WASHINGTON — Pentagon leaders will roll out a plan Friday that is expected to give the military services about three months to train their forces on the new law allowing gays to serve openly, officials said Wednesday.

US IED Fatalities Up 60% in Afghanistan

KABUL, Afghanistan — Roadside bombs killed 268 American troops in Afghanistan last year, a 60 percent increase over the previous year even as the Pentagon employs new measures to counter the Taliban’s makeshift weapon of choice.

Report: VA Overpaid Disabled Vets by $1B

WASHINGTON — Poor oversight and missing medical follow-ups led to nearly $1 billion in overpayments in veterans disability benefits over the last 18 years, and could lead to another $1 billion in improper payouts in the near future if left unchecked, according to a new investigation.

Transcript: Obama’s State Of The Union Address

The text of President Obama’s State of the Union address, as released by the White House

President Obama laid out a big year for the military Tuesday night in his State of the Union address.

In a speech that talked about the need to cut federal spending — but not so deeply to eliminate things that aren’t wasteful — Obama said $78 billion in cuts in defense spending already proposed by Defense Secretary Robert Gates may not all of the belt-tightening the military is asked to make.

Al-Qaida-Linked Taliban Commander Killed

During a raid in the northern province of Takhar Monday, Coalition and Afghan special operations forces killed a Taliban commander linked to al-Qaida.

U.S. inspector general calls for halt in funding $26 million Iraqi academy

A top U.S. oversight office has recommended that the United States halt further funding for a $26 million education academy for senior Iraqi security officials after discovering that the Iraqi government had never agreed to operate or maintain the facility.

White House, NATO Hold Up Afghan Force Size Increase

The White House and NATO are holding up a decision on increasing the size of Afghan security forces because of their concerns over the cost and possible objections from Pakistan, Senate Armed Services Committee Chairman Carl Levin said.

Report: 35% of warrior-unit soldiers face addiction

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Medical officials estimate that 25% to 35% of about 10,000 ailing soldiers assigned to special wounded-care companies or battalions are addicted or dependent on drugs — particularly prescription narcotic pain relievers, according to an Army inspector general’s report made public Tuesday.

Gitmo Detainee Gets Life in Embassy Plot

NEW YORK — The first, and possibly the last, Guantanamo detainee to have a U.S. civilian trial was sentenced to life in prison Tuesday for his role in the 1998 U.S. embassy bombings in Africa, a case that nearly unraveled when the defendant was convicted on just one of more than 280 counts.

Veteran crisis: Newest war vets become homeless at alarming rate

EAGLE MOUNTAIN — The house that Jordan Sanford now calls home sits on a barren hilltop near Eagle Mountain, in a secluded, partially developed subdivision. Inside, there are tall ceilings and polished wood floors, and the natural light pours in from the windows. It’s a big improvement from the tent Sanford called home two years ago while deployed in Iraq.