JuneauEmpire.com: Associated Press
Officials warn of future terror attacks
Speaking with one voice, President Bush's top intelligence and military officials said Wednesday that terrorists are regrouping for possible new strikes against the United States.

Iraq's PM race goes to secret ballot
Top Shiite politicians failed to reach a consensus Wednesday on their nominee for prime minister, shifting the two-man race to a secret ballot and exposing divisions in the winning alliance. In a chilling reminder of challenges facing the winner, a videotape showed a sobbing Italian hostage pleading for her life.

Iran, Syria to form 'united front'
Iran and Syria, who both are facing pressure from the United States, said Wednesday they will form a "united front" to confront possible threats against them, state-run television reported.

Parliament gives final OK on Gaza plan
Israel's parliament agreed Wednesday to pay nearly $900 million in compensation to 9,000 Jewish settlers who will be uprooted when Israel pulls out of the Gaza Strip and part of the West Bank.

Iran explosion sets off fears of attack
An explosion in a southern city prompted fears Wednesday of a missile attack in an area where Iran has a nuclear facility, and Iranian authorities gave conflicting explanations for the blast — including construction work and Iranian friendly fire in a military area.


The US News: Iraq News
US unclear on size of Iraq enemy
US intelligence agencies had failed to provide any reliable estimates of the size of Iraq's insurgency, US Defence Secretary Donald Rumsfeld said today. During a hearing of the House of Representat... [in The Daily Telegraph] The US News: Iraq News

Estimates on Iraq Insurgency Unreliable -Rumsfeld
By Will Dunham WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. intelligence agencies have failed to provide any reliable estimates of the size of Iraq's insurgency, Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld said on Wednesday.... [in Reuters] The US News: Iraq News

New FBI Art Unit Recovers Looted Seals from Iraq
By Jon Hurdle PHILADELPHIA (Reuters) - The Federal Bureau of Investigation unveiled a new unit on Wednesday to tackle the multi-billion dollar market in stolen art and announced the FBI's first rec... [in Reuters] The US News: Iraq News

Coalition Struggles To Pick Next Iraqi Prime Minister
BAGHDAD, Iraq (AP) - The political coalition that won last month's election is having trouble picking Iraq's next prime minister. After hours of closed-door meetings, leaders of the Shiite Uni... [in WTVO] The US News: Iraq News

Officials Won't Put Timetable on Iraq Exit
AP Photo DCCD108 By LIZ SIDOTI Associated Press Writer WASHINGTON (AP) - Administration officials refused Wednesday to set a timetable on troops returning home from Iraq. Democrats pressed for a de... [in Guardian] The US News: Iraq News

Italian hostage pleads for troop pullout from Iraq
ROME: Italian journalist Giuliana Sgrena, who was kidnapped two weeks ago in Iraq, was shown in tears begging Rome to pull out its troops from the country, in a video broadcast on Italian television o... [in Daily Times] The US News: Iraq News

British troops may face Iraq death charges
LONDON: British troops may be charged over the deaths of Iraqi civilians whose bodies have been exhumed by the military for forensic tests, the Independent newspaper reported on Wednesday. The newspap... [in Daily Times] The US News: Iraq News


Leading Iraqi prime minister candidate embraces Islamic influence
Ibrahim al-Jaafari, who emerged Wednesday as the favorite to be the next Iraqi prime minister, is almost certain to bring a stronger Islamic influence into the Iraqi government should he win the post. Kansas City Star: Iraq


Seattle Post-Intelligencer: War on Iraq
Iran explosion sets off fears of attack
An explosion in a southern city prompted fears Wednesday of a missile attack in an area where Iran has a nuclear facility, and Iranian authorities gave conflicting explanations for the blast - including construction work and Iranian friendly fire in a military area. Seattle Post-Intelligencer: War on Iraq

Iran's Bushehr nuke plant nearly completed
Menacing anti-aircraft batteries and off-limit signs attest to Bushehr's importance as a pillar of Iran's ambitious nuclear plans. But while nearly completed, it's still unclear when the power plant will go on line, and how much of a potential threat it will be when it does. Seattle Post-Intelligencer: War on Iraq


Iraq's PM race goes to secret ballot
BAGHDAD, Iraq (AP) - Top Shiite politicians failed to reach a consensus Wednesday on their nominee for prime minister, shifting the two-man race to a secret ballot and exposing divisions in the winning alliance. In a chilling reminder of challenges facing the winner, a videotape showed a sobbing Italian hostage pleading for her life. Modesto Bee: Iraq


Weather
Weather information from The Weather Channel

Iraq
Al Azamiyah Al Basrah Al Hillah Al Karkh Al Kazimiyah Al Kut An Nasiriyah Baghdad Baqubah Mosul Najaf Nineveh Tall Kayf

Afghanistan
Bost/Laskar Ghurian Herat Kabul Qandahar


From Fox News
Goss: Al Qaeda Gets Training in Iraq
CIA head tells Senate panel that terrorists are honing their skills on urban battlefields

Rumsfeld Warns of Terror

'A Common Front'
Iran, Syria pledge to back one another in face of Western threats; construction blamed for Iran blast

Iran: U.S. Drone Scoped Nuke Sites
Hariri Funeral Has Anti-Syria Tinge
Mosque Fire Kills at Least 59 in Tehran
Pentagon Denies Flying Drones Over Iran
Iran Won't Stop Building Reactor
Report: U.S. Using Drones to Spy on Iran
Sources: FBI Doing Intel Work Overseas
Goss Secures Leadership Team at CIA
Tenet Criticizes National Director Idea
Goss Sworn In as CIA Chief
Fast Facts: Porter Goss
Powell, Ridge Back NID
Senate GOPers Call for Disbanding CIA


From the Department of Defense
CIA, FBI Chiefs Categorize Terror Threat
WASHINGTON, Feb. 16, 2005 — The al Qaeda terrorist network is still a significant threat, the director of Central Intelligence said today. In prepared testimony before the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence today, Porter J. Goss gave his best estimates of the threats facing America. He testified along with FBI Director Robert Mueller. Story

Rumsfeld Discusses War Costs, Budget
WASHINGTON, Feb. 16, 2005 — During testimony before the House Armed Services Committee here today, Defense Secretary Donald H. Rumsfeld explained why the costs of operations in Iraq and Afghanistan are not included in the president's annual budget request. Story

Rumsfeld Outlines Progress, Future Needs

Military Stressed, But Able to Execute Strategy
WASHINGTON, Feb. 16, 2005 — Despite stresses and strains on the force, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff told members of the House Armed Services Committee today that the American military remains able to execute America's national military strategy. Story

'Gitmo' Detainees Living in Varied Conditions
NAVAL BASE GUANTANAMO BAY, Cuba, Feb. 16, 2005 — The detainee population at the U.S. naval base here is a diverse group. The roughly 545 detainees hail from some 40 countries and speak at least 17 different languages. But nearly as diverse as the individuals are the conditions in which they're held. Story