U.S. Secretary of Defense Robert Gates (L) and U.S. Army General David McKiernan (R), Commander of U.S. Forces in Afghanistan, listen to Afghan governors and local officials during their visit to Forward Operating Base Airborne in the mountains of Wardak Province, Afghanistan, May 8, 2009. REUTERS/Jason Reed (AFGHANISTAN MILITARY)US Fires Top General In Afghanistan As War Worsens -- Yahoo News/AP
WASHINGTON – Defense Secretary Robert Gates fired the commander of the Afghanistan war Monday, saying the Obama administration needed "fresh thinking" to turn around the war against a resurgent Taliban. Gen. David McKiernan was replaced after less than a year in the job. The new commander will be Lt. Gen. Stanley McChrystal, also an Army officer but with experience as a leader of special forces. McKiernan has a more conventional background.
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MIDDLE EAST
American kills 5 fellow soldiers at clinic in Iraq. Toll rises as Iraq slows surge.
Optimism in Egypt over President Obama's June visit. Muslim Brotherhood: Obama's Egypt trip 'useless'.
Pope in Israel seeks closer Jewish-Catholic bond. Pope arrives in Israel for 5-Day visit. Sheikh attacks Israel, pope walks out.
Bomb blast kills 5 in southeast Turkey.
US journalist freed by Iran, reunited with parents.
UN demands end to Sri Lanka 'bloodbath'. Outrage grows over Tamil deaths.
Burma's Suu Kyi 'in poor health'.
New flu spreads to Australia, now common in U.S. Japan, Australia confirm first swine flu; China proposes summit.
Pak army violates ceasefire, shells Indian posts in J&K.
Anger grows as NKorea clamps down on free markets.
Indonesia's President Yudhoyono wins parliamentary polls.
Nepal Maoist protesters clash with police. Nepal's President calls for Majority Government.
Chad president lacks confidence in AU.
UN aid chief sees hope in Darfur.
Fighting kills at least 39 in Somali capital. Somali leader blames hard-liners.
Somali pirates get tips from London.
New South African leader emphasizes continuity in cabinet lineup.
Putin: NATO war games in Georgia hurt US-Russian ties.
Georgia's President agrees to meet with protesters. No breakthrough in Georgia talks.
Serbia 'searching' for fugitives.
Venezuela says 4 suspected terrorists detained.
Floods ease in Brazil, but 300,000-plus homeless.
Colombian troops killed in ambush.
Mexican schools reopen; swine flu death toll rises.
Bill to include money for relocating Gitmo inmates.
Guantanamo detainee set to start new life in France.
House won't fund Guantanamo closing until plan is ready.
Lawyer: Gitmo prisoner slashed wrist, hurled
ASIA
UN demands end to Sri Lanka 'bloodbath'. Outrage grows over Tamil deaths.
Burma's Suu Kyi 'in poor health'.
New flu spreads to Australia, now common in U.S. Japan, Australia confirm first swine flu; China proposes summit.
Pak army violates ceasefire, shells Indian posts in J&K.
Anger grows as NKorea clamps down on free markets.
Indonesia's President Yudhoyono wins parliamentary polls.
Nepal Maoist protesters clash with police. Nepal's President calls for Majority Government.
AFRICA
Chad president lacks confidence in AU.
UN aid chief sees hope in Darfur.
Fighting kills at least 39 in Somali capital. Somali leader blames hard-liners.
Somali pirates get tips from London.
New South African leader emphasizes continuity in cabinet lineup.
EUROPE
Putin: NATO war games in Georgia hurt US-Russian ties.
Georgia's President agrees to meet with protesters. No breakthrough in Georgia talks.
Serbia 'searching' for fugitives.
AMERICAS
Venezuela says 4 suspected terrorists detained.
Floods ease in Brazil, but 300,000-plus homeless.
Colombian troops killed in ambush.
Mexican schools reopen; swine flu death toll rises.
TERRORISM/THE LONG WAR
Bill to include money for relocating Gitmo inmates.
Guantanamo detainee set to start new life in France.
House won't fund Guantanamo closing until plan is ready.
Lawyer: Gitmo prisoner slashed wrist, hurled
Chad president lacks confidence in AU.
UN aid chief sees hope in Darfur.
Fighting kills at least 39 in Somali capital. Somali leader blames hard-liners.
Somali pirates get tips from London.
New South African leader emphasizes continuity in cabinet lineup.
Putin: NATO war games in Georgia hurt US-Russian ties.
Georgia's President agrees to meet with protesters. No breakthrough in Georgia talks.
Serbia 'searching' for fugitives.
Venezuela says 4 suspected terrorists detained.
Floods ease in Brazil, but 300,000-plus homeless.
Colombian troops killed in ambush.
Mexican schools reopen; swine flu death toll rises.
Bill to include money for relocating Gitmo inmates.
Guantanamo detainee set to start new life in France.
House won't fund Guantanamo closing until plan is ready.
Lawyer: Gitmo prisoner slashed wrist, hurled blood.
Libya reports prison suicide of top Qaeda man.
Poll finds terrorism not a priority for Pakistanis.
White House forecasts higher budget deficit.
GM CEO says tasks are large to avoid bankruptcy.
Banks won concessions on tests. Fed cut banks' deficits after negotiations: report.
UN aid chief sees hope in Darfur.
Fighting kills at least 39 in Somali capital. Somali leader blames hard-liners.
Somali pirates get tips from London.
New South African leader emphasizes continuity in cabinet lineup.
EUROPE
Putin: NATO war games in Georgia hurt US-Russian ties.
Georgia's President agrees to meet with protesters. No breakthrough in Georgia talks.
Serbia 'searching' for fugitives.
AMERICAS
Venezuela says 4 suspected terrorists detained.
Floods ease in Brazil, but 300,000-plus homeless.
Colombian troops killed in ambush.
Mexican schools reopen; swine flu death toll rises.
TERRORISM/THE LONG WAR
Bill to include money for relocating Gitmo inmates.
Guantanamo detainee set to start new life in France.
House won't fund Guantanamo closing until plan is ready.
Lawyer: Gitmo prisoner slashed wrist, hurled blood.
Libya reports prison suicide of top Qaeda man.
Poll finds terrorism not a priority for Pakistanis.
ECONOMIC/FINANCIAL CRISIS
White House forecasts higher budget deficit.
GM CEO says tasks are large to avoid bankruptcy.
Banks won concessions on tests. Fed cut banks' deficits after negotiations: report.