Clapper goes before the Senate Intelligence Committee seeking confirmation as the next director of national intelligence. And, the vote for Elena Kagan’s Supreme Court nomination is scheduled to take place today.

Al-Awlaki: Obama Will Mire US in Yemen

CAIRO — A U.S.-born, al-Qaida-linked cleric warned the American people that President Obama will mire U.S. forces in Yemen just as Afghanistan, in a message appearing Monday on militant websites.

Clapper to face grilling in DNI hearing

WASHINGTON — Tough questions and blunt answers are likely Tuesday when retired Air Force Gen. James T. Clapper goes before the Senate Intelligence Committee seeking confirmation as the next director of national intelligence.

Senate Judiciary Committee to vote on Kagan nomination

The Senate Judiciary Committee is scheduled to vote on the nomination of Elena Kagan to the Supreme Court on Tuesday.

US Transfers 2 Detainees, 1 Involuntarily

The Department of Defense announced the transfer of two Guantanamo detainees on Monday. Abdul Aziz Naji, a native of Algeria, was repatriated to his home country. Abd-al-Nisr Mohammed Khantumani, a Syrian, was resettled in Cape Verde, an island republic approximately 300 miles off the west coast of Africa.

Suspected Insurgents Detained in Kandahar Province

KABUL, Afghanistan – An Afghan-international security force detained several suspected insurgents in Kandahar province last night while pursuing a senior Taliban commander who operates from eastern Kandahar City.

Karzai Reaffirms 2014 Security Goal

KABUL, Afghanistan — President Hamid Karzai on Tuesday reaffirmed his commitment for Afghan police and soldiers to take charge of security nationwide by 2014 and urged his international backers to spend their money on long-term Afghan priorities.

U.S.-South Korea Announce Invincible Spirit Exercises

Next week’s series of large-scale, joint U.S. South Korean military exercises intended to send a message to North Korea to quit sinking South Korean navy ships will go by the name “Invincible Spirit,” officials announced today in Seoul.

US: Taliban Leader Orders Women Targeted

ARGHANDAB, Afghanistan — U.S. intelligence officials say they have intercepted new orders from the Taliban’s spiritual leader that call on insurgents to target women and Afghan civilians helping American-led forces.

Audit: Bases improperly recorded nukes items

Nine Air Force bases improperly cataloged or failed to record nearly 1,000 nuclear-related items, though none of the accounting errors compromised the safety or security of any weapons, according to service officials.

Election campaigning in Afghanistan

More than 2,500 candidates are running for the 249 seats of Afghanistan’s lower house of parliament, Wolesi Jirga, elections on September 18. About 400 women, mostly from Kabul and provincial capitals, are also in the race. The campaign is in full bloom in the capital Kabul. The streets are filled with signboards and posters of independent and party-nominated candidates. These posters mostly include slogans about change, poverty, security, development, illiteracy and promotion of justice. The posters and big boards look like resumes of the candidates, listing all their past experience and political background. The lists of their slogans are like whole manifestos.

Clinton Reveals $500M in Aid to Pakistan

ISLAMABAD — U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton sought Monday to convince skeptical Pakistanis that American interest in their country extends beyond the fight against Islamist militants by announcing a raft of new aid projects worth $500 million.

Pentagon redoes rule for ‘mentors’

WASHINGTON — The Pentagon has weakened financial disclosure rules for highly paid retired generals and admirals who advise the military, documents show.