Petraeus suggests Afghan troop drawdown next July may be small. And, Obama urges Fla. Pastor to call off his plan to burn the Koran on Sept. 11.

Obama urges Fla. pastor to call off plan to burn Korans on Sept. 11

President Obama urged a Florida pastor Thursday to call off a plan to burn copies of the Koran on Sept. 11, warning that such a “stunt” would amount to a “recruitment bonanza for al-Qaeda” and would endanger Americans.

Report: AF Academy dropouts owe $10M

Air Force Academy dropouts owe taxpayers nearly $10 million — enough to buy three unmanned aircraft or to build a squadron operations center — because of foot-dragging by the Pentagon’s bill collector, a new report shows.

Petraeus suggests Afghan troop drawdown next July might not be large

KABUL, Afghanistan — The top U.S. commander in Afghanistan suggested Wednesday that the White House-imposed deadline to begin withdrawing American troops by next summer was unlikely to amount to a significant force reduction.

Four Escape US Custody at Baghdad Prison

BAGHDAD — Four prisoners with links to al-Qaida have escaped from the U.S.-controlled part of a maximum-security prison in Baghdad, U.S. and Iraqi officials said Thursday.

Mullah Omar Claims Taliban Are Winning

KABUL, Afghanistan — The Taliban’s shadowy leader has told Afghans that the insurgents are winning the war and warned Americans that they are wasting lives and billions in tax dollars by continuing in the conflict.

Vets Using Watchdogs Against PTSD

Falling asleep in the commons room at Brook Army Medical Center was all the evidence Jim Stanek needed that he should get a dog.

Feds: Hostage-Taker Threatened Obama

SAVANNAH, Georgia — A former Soldier accused of demanding mental treatment as he took hostages at gunpoint at a Georgia Army hospital later told investigators he planned to kill President Barack Obama and former President Bill Clinton, federal prosecutors said in court documents filed Tuesday.

Iraqi Soldier Fires on US Troops, Kills 2

BAGHDAD — An Iraqi soldier fired a barrage of bullets at American troops protecting one of their commanders during a visit to an Iraqi army base Tuesday and killed two of them, the first U.S. servicemen to die since President Obama declared an end to combat operations in the country last week.

U.S. offensive expected in home district of Afghan Taliban leader
ASHEQUE, Afghanistan — Zhari, the birthplace of the Taliban movement and once again a major stronghold of the Taliban insurgency, looks set to become a battle zone where some 2,400 U.S. troops will lead an attempt to reclaim the region for the Afghan government.

Fla. minister: Sept. 11 Quran burn still planned

GAINESVILLE, Fla. (AP) — The leader of a small Florida church that espouses anti-Islam philosophy said Wednesday he was determined to go through with his plan to burn copies of the Quran on Sept. 11, despite pressure from the White House, religious leaders and others to call it off.