AFP - Iraqi leaders are pouring over a new draft of a proposed military pact with Washington that would set the terms of a US troop presence beyond this year, Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki's spokesman said on Wednesday.

Reuters - Turkey's powerful generals rejected on Wednesday any blame for the deaths of 17 soldiers in a raid by Kurdish rebels, as rare public criticism of the army mounted following a series of attacks.

AFP - The United States and Iraq are still negotiating the terms of an agreement on the future presence of US troops in Iraq next year, senior US officials said Wednesday.

AFP - The US economic crisis could well make life easier for US military recruiters, who have struggled in recent years to meet their services' enlistment goals in a time of war.

AFP - In the early hours of September 14, US sergeant Joseph Bozicevich allegedly drew his rifle, aimed and shot to death two of his superiors on a military base south of the Iraqi capital.

AP - As of Friday, Oct. 10, 2008, at least 540 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 Friday at 10 a.m. EDT.

AFP - Washington and Baghdad are nearing a deal on the future presence of US troops in Iraq next year, US Defense Secretary Robert Gates said Friday.

AFP - Washington has made "huge concessions" in a controversial military pact still under negotiation, but immunity issues remain a problem, Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki said on Friday.

AFP - US Defense Secretary Robert Gates said Friday he has urged NATO allies to temporarily increase force levels in Afghanistan next year to protect the 2009 presidential elections.

Reuters - The NATO allies will try on Friday to iron out differences over a U.S. call for direct attacks on the Afghan drugs trade that is fuelling the Taliban insurgency.

Reuters - The United States called on NATO allies on Thursday to allow the alliance to attack the Afghan opium trade, which it said was bringing the Taliban up to $80 million a year.