U.S. Gen. David Petraeus, whose signature counterinsurgency strategy has yet to deliver a safer Afghanistan and push the Taliban to reconcile with the country's Western-allied government, handed over command of international forces in Afghanistan on Monday.
Eighteen months ago, President Obama ordered a surge of U.S. troops into Afghanistan, a prudent strategy reflecting conditions on the ground. Yet he also made the imprudent decision to publicly announce an arbitrary timetable for withdrawal beginning this month. This date had nothing to do with military strategy, but President Obama insisted on it, saying, "I can't lose the whole Democratic Party."
The Marine general tapped to take over as the top U.S. commander in Afghanistan told Congress on Tuesday that he supports President Obama's decision to withdraw U.S. reinforcements by next September.
Former Cincinnati Reds chief operating officer John Allen will assist Tom Schieffer in monitoring the Los Angeles Dodgers for Major League Baseball.
The Federal Aviation Administration on Thursday proposed stricter flight rules for helicopters, including many to increase safety for medical helicopters after a recent spike in fatal accidents.
"You have become my enemy and as my enemy, I am going to kill you." So said D.C. sniper John Allen Muhammad to his then-wife of a dozen years, Mildred, in 1999.
