Lieutenant Gregory Avant (R) from the U.S. Army's Able troop, 3rd Squadron, 71st Cavalry, of 10th Mountain Division based in Fort Drum, New York, shows directions to his observer on the road in the village of Ebrahihimkhel in Baraki Barak district in Logar province October 8, 2009. REUTERS/Nikola Solic (AFGHANISTAN CONFLICT MILITARY)Obama Focusing On al-Qaida, Not Taliban -- Yahoo News/AP
WASHINGTON – President Barack Obama is prepared to accept some Taliban involvement in Afghanistan's political future and will determine how many more U.S. troops to send to the war based only on keeping al-Qaida at bay, a senior administration official said Thursday.
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MIDDLE EAST
UN Security Council to discuss Gaza report next week. Furor sends Palestinians into shift on UN report.
Israeli foreign minister: No chance for peace deal.
Mitchell seeks "early relaunch" of Mideast talks.
Fearful of Iran's influence, Saudi king reaches out to Syria.
Iraq: Roadside bomb kills 3 northeast of Baghdad.
ASIA
Maoist insurgents ambush Indian commandos. 17 Indian police die in Maoist attack.
Pakistan's military rejects US aid bill. Pakistan wants U.S. "'trust", drones, market access.
Pakistani Army kills most wanted Swat commander.
India: Pakistan 'sending Taliban to fight in Kashmir'.
After storms, stagnant floodwaters bring disease in Philippines.
Four major quakes strike South Pacific.
AFRICA
Officials say Somali piracy is declining.
Relief groups hope US aid will again reach Somalis.
Africa exercise strengthens communications.
Mbeki to report on Darfur abuses.
Rwanda genocide arrest: Justice, but is it for all?
France 'suspects Guinea leader'. Tensions in Guinea junta as isolation grows.
U.S. cool to Mugabe's overture for better ties.
EUROPE
Climate talks failure would embarrass Obama, EU says.
New missile plan would link allies' radar, other systems.
Poland to sign EU Treaty, Czech President demands footnotes. Czechs 'to back treaty this year'. Czechs offer mixed signals on E.U. reform treaty.
Silvio Berlusconi loses immunity. Can Italy’s government survive? Silvio Berlusconi, the Houdini of Italian politics, may be left a lame duck.
Armenian delay casts doubt on historic accord with Turkey. Turkey eyes talks by Azeri, Armenian leaders.
AMERICAS
Pot legalization gains momentum in California.
Honduras holds new crisis talks. Interim Honduran leader resists diplomats' pleas.
Thousands mob Detroit center in hopes of free cash.
Mexico's drug war: priests speak out.
TERRORISM/THE LONG WAR
Canada: Key member of terror group pleads guilty.
FBI eyes terror suspect's travel talk.
U.S. lawmakers agree to Guantanamo prisoner transfer.
ECONOMY/FINANCE/BUSINESS
Whodunit? Sneak attack on U.S. dollar.
Warning over global oil 'decline'.
US deficit 'hits record $1.4tn'.
Investors cling to gold as prices surge.
Obama under fire over falling dollar.