AFP - The top US commander in Iraq said Thursday he expects to recommend further cuts in US forces in Iraq before he relinquishes command in September because of improved security.

Reuters - Military officers who denounce policies they helped implement are "cowardly," the top U.S. officer charged on Friday in an apparent reference to retired generals' attacks on Iraq war policy.

AFP - A US Marines officer accused of making false statements following the deaths of 24 civilians in the Iraqi town of Haditha three years ago will stand trial next week, the military said Friday.

AP - Orange County sheriff's officials say a 21-year-old Marine and Iraq war veteran from Camp Pendleton has been arrested for investigation of murder in the slaying of a fellow Marine.

AFP - The Pentagon cannot account for nearly 15 billion dollars in payments for goods and services in Iraq, according to an internal audit which members of Congress blasted Friday as a "shocking" accountability failure.

AP - As of Friday, May 23, 2008, at least 432 members of the U.S. military had died in Afghanistan, Pakistan and Uzbekistan as a result of the U.S. invasion of Afghanistan in late 2001, according to the Defense Department. The department last updated its figures May 17 at 10 a.m. EDT.

Reuters - Gen. David Petraeus, the top U.S. commander in Iraq, said on Thursday he expects to recommend further troop cuts this year after a 45-day pause in withdrawals that begins in mid-July.

AFP - The top US commander in Iraq said Thursday he expects to recommend further cuts in US forces in Iraq before he relinquishes command in September because of improved security.

Reuters - Army Gen. David Petraeus, the top commander in Iraq, said on Thursday he expected to make further troop cuts after a 45-day freeze in withdrawals that begins in July.

Reuters - Gen. David Petraeus, the top U.S. commander in Iraq, said on Thursday he expects to recommend further troop cuts this year after a 45-day pause in withdrawals that begins in mid-July.

Reuters - The United States should increase diplomatic and economic pressure on Iran to counter its rising influence, while retaining possible military action as a "last resort," a top U.S. military officer said on Thursday.

AFP - President George W. Bush warned Thursday that a premature US military withdrawal from Iraq would be "catastrophic for our country", strengthen Al-Qaeda and embolden Iran's nuclear ambitions.

AFP - The top US commander in Iraq said Thursday he expects to recommend further cuts in US forces in Iraq before he relinquishes command in September because of improved security.

AP - The Defense Department said Wednesday it has shelved a plan to take greater control in parts of Afghanistan where NATO is in charge after the Dutch and British agreed to extend their commands.

AP - The Defense Department said Wednesday it has shelved a plan to take greater control in parts of Afghanistan where NATO is in charge after the Dutch and British agreed to extend their commands.