HarpBlaster.com wire reports
WASHINGTON, Dec. 8, 2008 – An F/A-18D Hornet jet based at Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, Calif., crashed today into a civilian neighborhood about two miles northwest of the airfield, Marine Corps officials announced.
The aircraft, assigned to Vertical Marine Fighter/Attack Training Squadron 101 from Marine Aircraft Group 11, went down at 11:59 a.m. [...]

By Donna Miles
American Forces Press Service
WASHINGTON, Dec. 8, 2008 – Citing “monumental” improvements since his soldiers arrived in Iraq last year, the outgoing commander of Multinational Division North today credited his troops, Iraqi security forces and the Iraqi people with creating a historic turnaround.
Army Maj. Gen. Mark P. Hertling and his 1st Armored Division soldiers [...]

American Forces Press Service
WASHINGTON, Dec. 8, 2008 – Coalition forces apprehended three alleged Kataib Hezbollah terrorists in two operations early today in Baghdad’s Rusafa district, military officials reported.
Kataib Hezbollah is believed to be a surrogate group operating in Iraq on behalf of the Quds Force of Iran’s Revolutionary Guard, coalition officials said.
During the first operation, [...]

By Jim Garamone
American Forces Press Service
WASHINGTON, Dec. 8, 2008 – President-elect Barack Obama has selected retired Army Chief of Staff Gen. Eric K. Shinseki as his nominee to be secretary of veterans affairs.
“As we seek a new national security strategy that uses all elements of American power, we must also remember those who run the [...]

By Jim Garamone
American Forces Press Service
WASHINGTON, Dec. 8, 2008 – President-elect Barack Obama has selected retired Army Chief of Staff Gen. Eric K. Shinseki as his nominee to be secretary of veterans affairs.
“As we seek a new national security strategy that uses all elements of American power, we must also remember those who run the [...]

By Gerry J. Gilmore
American Forces Press Service
WASHINGTON, Dec. 4, 2008 – The new U.S.-Iraq security pact that was approved by Iraqi lawmakers Nov. 27 was ratified by Iraq’s Presidency Council today, senior U.S. officials said.
The two-part security pact consists of a strategic framework agreement that establishes the foundation of a long-term bilateral relationship between the [...]

Voice of America
ISLAMABAD — The top U.S. military official is in Pakistan in an effort to reduce tensions with India following last week’s terrorist attack in Mumbai. Admiral Mike Mullen arrived after President Asif Zardari indicated that Pakistan will not hand over 20 named suspects, even if India offers proof of links to the attack.
Indian [...]

PRNewswire-USNewswire
COLLEGE PARK, Md., Dec. 2, 2008 — A poll of seven majority Muslim nations finds people conflicted about the United Nations.
On one hand there is widespread support for a more active UN with much broader powers than it has today. On the other hand, there is a perception that the UN is dominated by the [...]

HarpBlaster.com News Wire
ATLANTA, Dec. 2, 2008 — U.S. Sen. Saxby Chambliss, R-Ga., won a tough re-election, fending off a Democratic challenger in today’s runoff.
“I’m excited to be the first race that leads us into the 2010 campaign because it’ll be a tough fight,” Chambliss said, according to The Associated Press.
Chambliss was winning with 58 percent [...]

By Michael J. Carden
American Forces Press Service
WASHINGTON, Dec. 1, 2008 – Iraqis in Karbala and Babil provinces welcomed the Nov. 27 passing of the U.S.-Iraq status-of-forces agreement, recognizing the important role the United States plays in Iraqi security and governance, a senior U.S. military officer posted in Iraq said today.
“[The Iraqis] are generally optimistic. … [...]