Obama To Start Afghan Troop Drawdown -- Wall Street Journal
President Barack Obama will announce an initial withdrawal of as many as 5,000 troops next month as the first step in a gradual plan to extract the U.S. from the Afghanistan war, defense officials say.
Mr. Obama will announce the drawdown in a Wednesday prime-time address to a nation increasingly weary of wars overseas and caught up with economic troubles at home. The conflict in Afghanistan has left more than 1,600 Americans dead in almost a decade of fighting.
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MIDDLE EAST
Northern Syria deserted thanks to scorched earth campaign.
Iraq violence intensifies as talks continue on U.S. troop presence.
Senior Israeli source: Iran actively helping Syria squash demonstrations.
Hillary Clinton praises 'brave' Saudi women drivers.
Yemen: 100 troops killed in battle for Zinjibar.
Mahmoud Ahmadinejad ally forced to resign as pressure grows on Iran president.
U.S. team: "Advanced U.S.-made missile" used in attack on Yemen palace.
Bahrain military court jails activists for life.
ASIA
Okinawa airbase row takes new twist as US and Japan delay relocation.
China releases artist Ai Weiwei on bail.
Pakistan investigates general for links to banned group. Four Pakistani majors questioned over Islamist links.
China urges U.S. to stay out of sea dispute.
Taliban behind most Afghan civilian casualties.
Five million Pakistanis at risk from floods, says U.N..
80pc people suffer from mental illness in Waziristan, Pakistan.
AFRICA
Italy breaks rank over NATO's Libya mission. Libya: Italy calls for immediate halt to hostilities. Libya conflict: Italy urges suspension of hostilities. Arab League chief admits second thoughts about Libya air strikes. UK can maintain Libya operations for 'as long as it takes', says Cameron. Analysis: NATO counts on Tripoli uprising to break deadlock.
Ethiopia food prices spike after govt intervention.
Analysis - North Sudan flexes military might before split. Sudan: Kordofan conflict catches thousands, says AU.
Sudan to block oil pipeline if south will not pay.
Analysis-home-grown frustration behind Nigeria bombing.
EUROPE
Pressure stays on Greeks to avoid default. Greece prepares to slash budget after confidence vote.
Sectarian violence erupts for second night in Northern Ireland.
Russia blasts U.S. Navy maneuvers near Georgia.
Europe braced for MEPs' expenses storm.
AMERICAS
In southern Mexico, a neglected frontier.
Polls show Americans weary of Afghan conflict.
'La Familia cartel boss' Mendez Vargas held in Mexico.
Wildfires burn 1.4 million acres across 12 states.
Venezuelans puzzle over their leader's health.
Argentine leader Cristina Fernandez's re-election bid.
Argentina warns Britain over Falklands nationality switch.
TERRORISM/THE LONG WAR
Al Qaeda at work in Libyan city of Derna?
Osama bin Laden wife to leave Pakistan for Yemen.
U.S. official in Sanaa, al-Qaeda militants escape prison.
"Dirty Bomb" lessons seen in Japanese nuclear crisis.
Al-Qaida’s business savvy sows uncertain future.
ECONOMY/FINANCE/BUSINESS
CBO releases daunting long-term outlook.
Fed holds rates on inflation concerns.
Apple plans faster iPhone for September: report.
Airbus set to unveil record plane order.
PIMCO's El-Erian predicts Greece, others will default.
Why the Jobs Situation Is Worse Than It Looks: We now have more idle men and women than at any time since the Great Depression (Commentary).