AP - Pentagon leaders on Wednesday signaled a surge in U.S. forces in Afghanistan "sooner rather than later," a shift that could send some units there within weeks, as officials prepare to cut troop levels in Iraq.

AFP - Admiral Michael Mullen, the chairman of the US Joint Chiefs, said Wednesday he would likely recommend "further troop reductions" in coming months if security continues to improve in Iraq.

AP - The Pentagon's top military officer said Wednesday that he is likely to recommend further troop reductions in Iraq this fall. Adm. Mike Mullen, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, said that on his recent trip to Iraq, he found conditions had improved more than he expected.

AFP - A missile defense test that was supposed to have included an attempted intercept of a long-range missile Friday has been delayed until December because of a technical problem, the general in charge said Tuesday.

AFP - A top US general hit out Tuesday against what he said were "increasingly aggressive" statements by Russia against US plans for missile defenses in Europe.

AFP - Defense Secretary Robert Gates called for greater funding for US diplomacy and foreign development aid, acknowledging concerns about a "creeping militarization" of US foreign policy.

AP - As of Monday, July 14, 2008, at least 473 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 July 5 at 10 a.m. EDT.

AP - As of Sunday, July 13, 2008, at least 473 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 July 5 at 10 a.m. EDT.

AFP - US Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama vowed Monday not to seek permanent US military bases in Iraq and reiterated his pledge to pull out the bulk of US forces by mid-2010.

AP - Thousands of Japanese rallied against the permanent basing of a nuclear-powered U.S. warship near Tokyo, saying a recent onboard fire made it unsafe.

AFP - US President George W. Bush long has vowed that the United States would leave Iraq if asked by Baghdad's leadership, but now that the request has been made, Bush is in no hurry to exit, analysts say.

AFP - The administration of President George W. is considering withdrawal of additional combat forces from Iraq beginning in September, The New York Times reported on its website.

AFP - Remains of two US soldiers missing in Iraq have been found more than a year after their capture in an ambush, the US military said Friday after notifying their families.

AP - As of Friday, July 11, 2008, at least 473 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 July 5 at 10 a.m. EDT.