United States
A year to the day after the incident that sparked international outrage, Specialist Charles A. Graner Jr.'s defense in the Abu Ghraib abuse scandal abruptly ended on Thursday, without put him on the stand to testify. The defense rested after nearly a year of trial, citing that other
United States
The Bush administration has stepped up its criticism of U.N. Secretary General Kofi Annan in the ongoing oil-for-food scandal, saying he will have to be held accountable for mismanagement in the program. The criticism comes amid internal audits that have found management lapses in the $64 billion program, which
United States
Prosecutors announced Friday that three Iraqi detainees who were allegedly abused by soldiers at Abu Ghraib prison will testify against Specialist Charles A. Graner Jr., the reservist accused of leading the abuse. The trial, which is expected to begin with opening statements on Monday, marks the first contested trial in
United States
The US military's operation in Iraq has reached a critical juncture, prompting a top Pentagon official to dispatch a retired four-star Army general to conduct a comprehensive review of the entire policy, including troop levels, training programs, and insurgency-fighting strategies. The move reflects growing concern among senior Pentagon
Bush, George W.
President Bush on Monday declared that he has a "good personal relationship" with Russian President Vladimir Putin, despite growing concerns over Putin's crackdown on political freedoms and his role in the disputed election in Ukraine. Bush made no comment on Ukraine, where Putin's influence
Bush, George W.
In 1999, Greg Rund, a freshman at Columbine High School, survived the devastating school shooting but wasn't as fortunate in Iraq, where he was killed in combat on his second tour of duty. Rund's story is a poignant reminder of the sacrifices made by troops who
United States
Fresh criticism of Defense Secretary Donald H. Rumsfeld from prominent Republican senators, a retired general, and a leading intellectual architect of the war has raised concerns about his leadership and the repeated failures to predict the strengths of the insurgency in Iraq. The criticism comes after Rumsfeld's response
United States
Air Force officials have announced a significant expansion of airlift operations in Iraq to reduce the number of ground convoys, a move aimed at mitigating the threat of roadside bombings and ambushes to American military personnel. Dozens of Air Force C-130 and C-17 transport planes, as well as contracted commercial
United States
Army Secretary Francis J. Harvey has directed the contractor building fully armor-protected Humvee military vehicles to boost production to 550 vehicles a month, up from the current 450. This decision was made in response to growing concerns over the adequacy of armor protection for troops in Iraq. The increased production
United States
The US military is facing a serious shortage of armored vehicles in Iraq, exposing soldiers to a deadly threat from improvised explosive devices (IEDs). Despite concerns raised by troops and lawmakers, Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld has maintained that the Pentagon is addressing the issue, although critics argue that the response
Bush, George W.
President Bush's administration is holding up a trade deal between Israel and Egypt that could increase economic cooperation between the two countries, despite Congress's efforts to encourage commercial ties between Israel and the Arab world. The deal, which was quietly signed in September, would establish special
Bush, George W.
George W. Bush's first-term cabinet members' abrupt departures, particularly Rod Paige's, raise concerns about the administration's ability to deliver on its key reform initiatives, such as No Child Left Behind. As the president embarks on his second term, his ability to address these
