US announces plan to increase military aid in Pakistan by $2 million over the next five years. And, confusion surrounds flip-flop on military’s ‘don’t ask don’t tell’ policy.

US ups Pakistani military aid by $2 billion

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Obama administration on Friday laid out a five-year, $2 billion military aid package for Pakistan as it pressed the Islamabad government to step up the fight against extremists there and in neighboring Afghanistan.

U.S.-led Afghan reconstruction projects to end because of security dispute

KABUL – U.S.-funded development firms are beginning to shut down massive reconstruction projects because the Afghan government has refused to rescind a ban on their use of private security guards, according to U.S. officials and aid workers here.

Peace Talks With Taliban? Depends On Whom You Ask

There’s been a flurry of claims recently that substantial peace talks between the Taliban and the Afghan government are just around the corner or are already under way.

Confusion surrounds flip-flop on military’s ‘don’t ask, don’t tell’ law

WASHINGTON — On Monday, openly gay individuals could not enlist in the military because of the “don’t ask, don’t tell” law.

On Tuesday, a federal judge struck down the law, and the Pentagon announced they could sign up.

Gen.: Clinton Lost Launch Codes for Mos.

Many considered Bill Clinton an American president of charisma and vision. But he did not always have the patience for the peskier details of his job — like never, ever forgetting to have those nuclear launch codes in his top pocket, or at least somewhere on his person.

For U.S. Troops, Peril On The Afghan-Pakistan Border

Standing next to a dusty helipad in eastern Afghanistan earlier this month, Kenneth Bolin, the bullet-headed first sergeant of Alpha Company, gives his men a little advice.

“Don’t go down the cliff!” he barks, instructing his men in how to disembark safely from their helicopter. “Left door exit, half the bird’s going to be hanging over a cliff. Bird’s going to be wobbly a bit. Don’t rush out the door! Make sure you’re on solid ground.”

Activity detected at North Korea nuclear test site: report

(Reuters) – A U.S. satellite has detected increased activity at a North Korean nuclear weapons test site, suggesting it could be preparing for a third test, a South Korean government source was quoted as saying on Thursday.

Appeals court keeps military’s gay policy for now

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — A federal appeals court has frozen a judge’s order halting the military’s “don’t ask, don’t tell” policy, even as the Pentagon has announced it will accept openly gay recruits.

Sen. Bond: Troops with combat stress discharged, not treated

WASHINGTON — The military has been discharging troops who are suffering from combat stress, instead of providing treatment, according to Missouri Sen. Christopher “Kit” Bond and several veterans advocates

Fort Hood shooting suspect sought high-tech gun

FORT HOOD, Texas (AP) — A gun store clerk says the Army psychiatrist accused in last year’s Fort Hood shooting rampage asked to be sold the “most high tech handgun” just months before the deadly attack.