http://www.newser.com/2008 - Newseren-usNewser Feed GeneratorTue, 07 Oct 2008 6:49:34 CDThttp://www.newser.com/story/38771/forces-key-to-iraq-security-lose-steam-as-us-hands-off.html?refid=rss_all_defaultAs Iraq's Shia-led government assumes greater control of security, US soldiers fear the sudden disintegration of the 54,000-strong Sunni force that had been key to improving conditions there, the Washington Post reports. The government has pledged to hire 20% of the so-called Sons of Iraq, but that still leaves the haunting prospect of thousands of young men “unemployed, with weapons,” says a US captain.http://www.newser.com/story/38771/forces-key-to-iraq-security-lose-steam-as-us-hands-off.html?refid=rss_all_defaultTue, 30 Sep 2008 10:26:26 CDThttp://www.newser.com/story/38238/dear-iraq-its-time-to-step-up-sincerely-w.html?refid=rss_all_defaultAs America faces "a financial 9/11," what does the $1 trillion bailout mean for the country's other huge expense—the war in Iraq? Thomas L. Friedman plays ventriloquist in the New York Times , imagining President Bush telling Iraqi leaders that "you are now going to have to step up and finish this job" as the US will "turn inward to get our house back in order."http://www.newser.com/story/38238/dear-iraq-its-time-to-step-up-sincerely-w.html?refid=rss_all_defaultWed, 24 Sep 2008 6:56:52 CDThttp://www.newser.com/story/37563/maliki-is-us-pawn-no-longer.html?refid=rss_all_defaultWith just four months left on America’s UN mandate to police Iraq, Nouri al-Maliki is playing hardball. Once seen as an embattled US puppet, the Iraqi PM has consolidated his power, and is turning visibly away from his former backers in Washington, the Los Angeles Times reports. He’s demanding a tight leash on US troops, including a withdrawal from all cities by June.http://www.newser.com/story/37563/maliki-is-us-pawn-no-longer.html?refid=rss_all_defaultTue, 16 Sep 2008 8:02:37 CDThttp://www.newser.com/story/37526/petraeus-hands-over-command-of-iraq.html?refid=rss_all_defaultCiting a "long struggle" in Iraq despite his successes, Gen. David Petraeus handed over his command of the country, reports the BBC, amid a smattering of violence that served as a reminder of reversible gains. Defense Secretary Robert Gates praised security gains made on Petraeus' watch as authority was passed to Gen. Ray Odierno, whom Petraeus praised as "the perfect man for the job." Two bomb blasts in Baghdad and one in Diyala province killed 34 people during Gates' visit.http://www.newser.com/story/37526/petraeus-hands-over-command-of-iraq.html?refid=rss_all_defaultMon, 15 Sep 2008 21:29:00 CDThttp://www.newser.com/story/37102/for-mccain-winning-is-wars-only-honorable-end.html?refid=rss_all_defaultJohn McCain’s views on war and defending the US were shaped by his Navy father and by his own time in Vietnam, Jeffrey Goldberg writes in the Atlantic , with victory as the only honorable outcome. His father believed public sentiment led to defeat in Vietnam even as a winning plan was taking root. “History repeats itself, huh?” says McCain, aware of the parallels with Iraq.http://www.newser.com/story/37102/for-mccain-winning-is-wars-only-honorable-end.html?refid=rss_all_defaultWed, 10 Sep 2008 13:17:33 CDThttp://www.newser.com/story/36952/iraq-troop-levels-to-hold-steady-under-bush.html?refid=rss_all_defaultTroop levels in Iraq won't change until after George Bush leaves office, the president will announce in a speech today, leaving further withdrawals as an immediate matter for his successor—although Bush will oversee what amounts to a transfer of US troops from Iraq to Afghanistan. The announcement likely represents his last major decision in the pair of wars, the Washington Post reports.http://www.newser.com/story/36952/iraq-troop-levels-to-hold-steady-under-bush.html?refid=rss_all_defaultTue, 09 Sep 2008 4:30:59 CDThttp://www.newser.com/story/36716/bush-advised-to-delay-troop-cuts-in-iraq.html?refid=rss_all_defaultPresident Bush's top defense advisers have recommended he maintain 15 combat brigades in Iraq until the end of the year—contrary to expectations that the improved security in Iraq would allow for quicker cuts, the AP has learned. If Bush follows the recommendations, he would delay any additional buildup in Afghanistan until early next year.http://www.newser.com/story/36716/bush-advised-to-delay-troop-cuts-in-iraq.html?refid=rss_all_defaultFri, 05 Sep 2008 9:21:56 CDThttp://www.newser.com/story/36679/iraq-looks-to-buy-f-16s-from-us.html?refid=rss_all_defaultIraq’s military wants to buy 36 F-16 fighter planes from the US in an effort to cut its dependence on American air power, the Wall Street Journal reports. The multi-billion-dollar purchase could speed the withdrawal of US troops from Iraq, but neighboring nations may worry about the presence of such powerful weaponry in a still-shaky country.http://www.newser.com/story/36679/iraq-looks-to-buy-f-16s-from-us.html?refid=rss_all_defaultFri, 05 Sep 2008 7:15:54 CDThttp://www.newser.com/story/36623/pentagon-may-prevent-petraeus-from-testifying.html?refid=rss_all_defaultWhen David Petraeus next comes to Washington, he won’t be speaking on Capitol Hill, the Christian Science Monitor reports. Pentagon officials have denied requests for more hearings with the Iraq commander because they’re not sure they’ll agree with his recommendations. Petraeus has been criticized for being too cautious about Iraq withdrawals, while Afghanistan needs more troops.http://www.newser.com/story/36623/pentagon-may-prevent-petraeus-from-testifying.html?refid=rss_all_defaultThu, 04 Sep 2008 9:44:42 CDT