Libyan rebels fought off forces loyal to Gadhafi to keep control over a city near the capital. And, report calls for a boost in TRICARE fees.

Rebels Thwart Gadhafi Forces’ Push To Take Key City

Libyan rebels fought off forces loyal to Moammar Gadhafi to keep control over a city near the capital in an intense, six-hour nighttime battle involving tanks, machine guns and anti-aircraft weapons, witnesses said Tuesday.

Will U.S. Follow Withdrawal Deadline In Iraq?

There are still questions about whether some U.S. troops will remain in Iraq beyond the withdrawal deadline set for the end of this year. Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki said in December that there’s no need for a continued U.S. troop presence, but top American commanders are not so sure.

Government overlap costs taxpayers billions, GAO reports

You think the government redundancies President Obama recently griped about were bad? Federal auditors found plenty more.

During his State of the Union address, Obama noted that 12 federal agencies or offices deal with international trade and at least two regulate salmon. Top administration officials are planning to revamp how the government handles trade issues — and may later turn to other programs.

Synthetic marijuana widely used at Naval Academy, some midshipmen say

A synthetic form of marijuana is widely used at the U.S. Naval Academy because it cannot be detected in routine drug tests, according to several former midshipmen who have been removed from campus for using or possessing the substance.

Report Calls for Boosting Tricare Fees

A Washington, D.C., think tank is recommending that Tricare fees drastically increase and that the Pentagon implement means-testing for still-working retirees to bring costs of the DoD-run system under control.

VFW Post Head Quits as War Record Probed

The commander of the Lakeport, Calif., Veterans of Foreign Wars post has resigned under a cloud of suspicion that he is not the war hero he claims to be.

Mullen arrives in Bahrain as protests continue

MANAMA, Bahrain — With thousands of anti-government protestors still on the streets of Manama, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Adm. Mike Mullen arrived in Bahrain on Thursday, aiming to reassure an old American ally and to better understand the intentions of its ruling family.

U.S., Pakistan military chiefs hold secret talks in Oman

MUSCAT, Oman — Several of the most senior leaders of the U.S. military, the Afghanistan War, and the Pakistani armed forces held a daylong secret meeting Wednesday at a secluded luxury beach resort.

Soldiers prep Iraqis, Kurds to work together

COMBINED CHECKPOINT 3, Iraq — Staff Sgt. Robert Patitucci spent his last two deployments to Iraq walking six-hour missions through Baghdad with Iraqis shooting over his head or planting improvised explosive devices trying to blow him up.

No. 2 US Military Officer Cleared of Misconduct

WASHINGTON — The U.S. Marine general considered the leading candidate to become chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, the nation’s highest military post, was investigated and cleared of misconduct involving a young aide, according to results of a Pentagon inquiry released Wednesday.

Review Calls for Fewer Marines but Greater Capabilities

The Marine Corps is planning a “reset,” a top general said Wednesday, shrinking in size but expanding its ability to function as “the tip of the spear” in conflict or crises around the globe.

Gadhafi blames violence on young people, drugs, al Qaeda

Benghazi, Libya (CNN) — Libyan leader Moammar Gadhafi on Thursday blamed the violence in his country on young people, who he said are taking some sort of pills and being exploited by Osama bin Laden.