Judge hears targeting killing arguments, US says it has legal rights to kill American born Anwar al-Awlaki.

Near Kandahar, Key Test Of Afghan War Plan Unfolds

Army Capt. Davitt Broderick’s command post is a two-story adobe house in southern Afghanistan’s Taliban country.

US says it has legal authority to kill American-born Anwar al-Awlaki

Responding to a lawsuit challenging the legality of including an American citizen on a secret government “kill list,” a Justice Department lawyer argued in federal court on Monday that the US government has the legal authority to target and kill a US-born Islamic cleric believed to be hiding in Yemen.

Gates: US Open to Request From Iraq to Stay

KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia — The United States is open to the idea of keeping troops in Iraq past a deadline to leave next year if Iraq asks for it, U.S. Defense Secretary Robert Gates said Tuesday.

Navy SEALs seek minority candidates

SAN DIEGO — The Naval Special Warfare Center is embarking on new marketing and awareness campaigns to reach more minority candidates who have the best odds of becoming Navy SEALs in the hope that those efforts will diversity the commando force.

Former CIA Officer Betrayed US Twice

For the second time in his life, former CIA officer Jim Nicholson has pleaded guilty to illicit dealings with Russian intelligence officers — this time from behind bars.

Bush Defends Iraq Invasion in Interview

WASHINGTON — In the first interview of his post-presidency, George W. Bush said he was angered when U.S.-led coalition forces failed to find weapons of mass destruction in Iraq, but stood by the decision to invade the country to get rid of Saddam Hussein.

DoD Says Afghan Handover in 2014 Realistic

MELBOURNE, Australia — Afghanistan should be ready to handle its own security by the year 2014, the top U.S. defense chiefs said Monday.

Town Turns Out to Block Westboro Protest

A small Missouri town turned out to keep Fred Phelps’ Westboro Baptist Church from protesting a Soldier’s funeral.

NATO says 900 trainers needed for Afghan forces

KABUL, Afghanistan (AP) — Without 900 more trainers, it will be difficult to meet Afghan President Hamid Karzai’s goal of having his police and soldiers take the lead in protecting and defending their country by 2014, the commander of NATO’s training mission said Monday.

Netanyahu says Iran must fear military strike

JERUSALEM (AP) — Israel’s prime minister told U.S. Vice President Joe Biden that Iran must be made to fear a military strike against its nuclear program, Israeli media reported Monday – a departure from the Israeli leader’s previous emphasis on using diplomacy to curb Tehran’s nuclear ambitions.

U.S. concerns grow as militants move bases along Pakistan border

The U.S. has been trying to stamp out the Haqqani network, which attacks coalition forces in Afghanistan from its base in Pakistan’s North Waziristan region. Now its fighters, fleeing drone strikes, are setting up in the highlands of Kurram.