Coalition Commanders revealed Tuesday reintegrated Taliban fighters are being allowed to join local police units. Officials say the Taliban is benefiting from stalled anti-drug efforts in Afghanistan.

Reintegrated Taliban fighters allowed to join local police units

ARLINGTON, Va. — Surrendering Afghan Taliban fighters are being welcomed into newly created local police units in their home areas, coalition commanders in the north revealed Tuesday.

Taliban benefits as Afghans’ anti-drug efforts stall

Afghan efforts to eradicate opium-yielding poppy crops that fuel the Taliban-led insurgency have stalled as a result of a lack of incentives and adequate security for farmers who may be inclined to cut ties with the Taliban, according to Afghan and Western officials.

NKorea calls for unconditional talks with South

SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — North Korea called Wednesday for “unconditional and early” talks with rival South Korea to put an end to months of tensions. Seoul quickly dismissed the offer as insincere and said it’s waiting for an apology for two deadly attacks blamed on Pyongyang.

Army Relieves 172nd Infantry Brigade Commander

GRAFENWÖHR, Germany — The Army has relieved the commander of the 172nd Infantry Brigade, shortly before the unit intensifies its training for an Afghanistan deployment this summer.

Judges Rule Against War Memorial Cross

SAN DIEGO — A war memorial cross in a public park is unconstitutional because it conveys a message of government endorsement of religion, a federal appeals court ruled Tuesday in a two-decade-old case.

Enterprise Captain To Be Relieved Of Command

Update at 10:18 a.m. ET: NPR’s Tom Bowman has also now confirmed the news that USS Enterprise Capt. Owen Honors will be relieved of his command

Man who helped get Vietnam wall built found dead

DOVER, Del. (AP) — A military expert who served three Republican presidents and helped get the Vietnam Veterans Memorial built as part of his dedication to those who fought in that war was found dead in a landfill, and authorities are trying to piece together when he was last seen alive.

In Surprise, Iraq May Enforce Withdrawal Deadline

As Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki settles in for a second term, he’s begun to talk tough on the final withdrawal of American troops, scheduled for the end of this year.

Pakistani governor opposing blasphemy law killed

ISLAMABAD (AP) — The governor of Pakistan’s wealthiest and most populous province was shot dead in the capital Tuesday by one of his own guards, who later told interrogators that he was angry about the politician’s stance against the country’s blasphemy law, officials said.