US Marines begin to hand over small bases to Afghan armies in the southwest. And, court extends the life of the “don’t ask don’t tell” policy.  

At Afghan border, Eikenberry praises progress, calls for more assets

SPIN BOLDAK, Afghanistan — Highlighting the importance of shoring up security at the border, U.S. Ambassador Karl Eikenberry visited a crossing in southern Afghanistan on Monday, stressing positives, but also the need for more cooperation and equipment.

U.S. Marines begin to hand over small bases to Afghan army in southwest

NAWA, AFGHANISTAN – U.S. Marines have begun handing over some of their small bases to the Afghan army in this once-volatile district in the country’s southwest, a transition that top military commanders intend to cite as proof that the Obama administration’s troop escalation and counterinsurgency strategy are succeeding.

Glitch Sparked AF Vaccine Stand-Down

A computer glitch led the Air Force to believe it had given approximately 400 Airmen outdated anthrax vaccine last month. The service briefly suspended the inoculations on Oct. 26 while medical centers across the Air Force scrambled to make sure vaccines were current.

Greece Hit By Wave Of Mail Bombs

Greece’s capital was hit by a second day of apparently coordinated attacks Tuesday after mail bombs exploded at the Swiss and Russian embassies and police detonated suspicious packages at the Bulgarian embassy, outside Parliament and at a courier company.

Court Extends Life of ‘Don’t Ask’ Policy

SAN FRANCISCO — A federal appeals court on Monday indefinitely extended its freeze on a judge’s order halting enforcement of the military’s “don’t ask, don’t tell” policy, heightening pressure on the Obama administration to persuade the U.S. Senate to repeal the law before a new Congress is sworn in.

Yemen Charges US-Born Cleric Al-Awlaki

SAN’A, Yemen — Yemen put a U.S.-born radical cleric on trial in absentia Tuesday, accusing him and two other men with plotting to kill foreigners and of being members of al-Qaida.

What election night could mean for the troops

WASHINGTON — After huge election victories by Democrats in 2008, supporters thought they knew exactly what military changes to expect from their strong legislative majority.

Generation gap divides troops on gays in military

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — If you want to know what a member of the armed forces thinks about repealing “don’t ask, don’t tell,” you could start by asking how old they are.

Iraqi Christians mourn after church siege kills 52

BAGHDAD (AP) — Iraq’s dwindling Christian community was grieving and afraid on Monday after militants seized a Baghdad church during evening Mass, held the congregation hostage and triggered a raid by Iraqi security forces. The attack left at least 52 people killed and 67 wounded – nearly everyone inside.

8-Year Sentence for Gitmo Child Soldier

GUANTANAMO BAY NAVAL BASE, Cuba — The long-running case of a onetime teenage al-Qaida fighter is over, with a U.S. military judge sentencing Omar Khadr to eight more years in custody for war crimes.

Taliban Briefly Overrun Afghan District

KABUL, Afghanistan — The Taliban briefly overran a district seat in eastern Afghanistan, torching government buildings and capturing police officers after an intense gunfight, officials said Monday.