Quote of the Day
"The tree of liberty must be refreshed from time to time with the blood of patriots and tyrants. It is its natural manure"
-- Thomas Jefferson

JuneauEmpire.com: Associated Press
Bush meets with Germany's Schroeder
Fresh from unity meetings with European leaders, President Bush and German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder met on Wednesday to thrash out post-Iraq differences, from disputes over NATO's future to coaxing Iran to end its program to develop nuclear fuel.

Bomb attacks kill 3, wounds 14 in Iraq
A car bomb killed two people and wounded 14 in the northern Iraqi city of Mosul on Wednesday, and a U.S. soldier was killed in a separate bomb attack north of Baghdad, officials said.

Palestinian lawmakers oppose Cabinet list
The Palestinian prime minister had trouble Wednesday securing a parliamentary majority for his proposed Cabinet, despite promises that he would replace corruption-tainted politicians with professional appointees.

Death toll in Iran quake rises to 500
Rescue teams using dogs and heavy machinery pulled more bodies from the ruins of flattened villages in central Iran on Wednesday, raising the death toll from a powerful earthquake to at least 500. The toll was expected to rise even higher.

Man charged in alleged plot to kill Bush
Family and friends who packed a Virginia courtroom to support Ahmed Omar Abu Ali laughed out loud when prosecutors alleged that the former high school valedictorian had plotted to assassinate President Bush.

Top nuclear negotiators to meet in Seoul
Negotiators from the United States, Japan and South Korea will meet in Seoul this weekend to discuss resuming nuclear disarmament talks with North Korea after the communist country's leader hinted at a possible compromise, officials said Wednesday.

Chalabi becomes political winner in Iraq
It's been a slow and steady return to the fold for Ahmad Chalabi, once disgraced and on the outs with both Iraqis and the Bush administration.

The US News: Iraq News
Two more companies from Fiji heading to Iraq
Last Updated 23/02/2005, 17:06:09 Fiji is to double its military commitment to Iraq.The Fijian army plans to deploy an additional two companies of soldiers to Iraq to provide protection of United Nat... [in Radio Australia] The US News: Iraq News

Japan hails Australia's move to boost troop numbers in Iraq >
Last Updated 23/02/2005, 17:06:08 Japan's Prime Minister, Junichiro Koizumi, has welcomed Australia's decision to dispatch more soldiers to Iraq to provide security for Japanese troops, who are legal... [in Radio Australia] The US News: Iraq News

Thousands Cheer Guard Unit's Return From a Deadly Year in Iraq
PARIS, Ill. (AP) - As Staff Sgt. Nicholas Rose cradled his 3-month-old son against a late-winter chill Tuesday, his thoughts drifted back to the sometimes deadly missions his unit endured during a yea... [in Tampa Bay Online] The US News: Iraq News

Jaafari Set to Become Iraq's Next PM
By Mariam Karouny BAGHDAD (Reuters) - Iraq's main Shi'ite alliance proposed Ibrahim al-Jaafari for prime minister Tuesday, signaling the soft-spoken doctor will almost certainly get the job after t... [in Reuters] The US News: Iraq News


Ananova: War In Iraq
Opposition grows to terror powers
Home Secretary Charles Clarke faces intensifying opposition to his plans to take new powers against terrorism. Ananova: War In Iraq

Straw in Saudi trade talks
Foreign Secretary Jack Straw will hold talks with senior Saudi ministers in London. Ananova: War In Iraq

Coldest winter in years kills hundreds across India, Pakistan, Afghanistan
Katu.com: Iraq & Terror

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
Bomb Attacks Kill 3 in Iraq
Iran Quake Death Toll at 500
U.S. Citizen Accused of Plotting to Assassinate Bush
9/11 Victim ID Effort Ends
Canada to Nix U.S. Missile Plan
Kids Send GI Anti-War Letters
Kashmir Weather Kills 284
BombAttacks Kill Three in Iraq
Examiner Ends 9/11 Victim Identification
Iran Quake Death Toll Hits 500
Reformists Added to Palestinian Cabinet List
Canada to Reject U.S. Missile Shield Plan
Annan Will Name New Refugee Chief Soon
Worker Alleges Airport Security Breaches

From the Department of Defense

Military Not Conducting Flights Over Iran
WASHINGTON, Feb. 22, 2005 — Despite Iranian claims to the contrary, U.S. military aircraft are not flying missions in Iran's airspace, Pentagon spokesman Larry Di Rita said here today. "I would consider the source and leave it at that," Di Rita told reporters at a Pentagon news conference. "I'm telling you that we're not doing those kinds of activities." Story

NATO Is 'the' Vital U.S. Security Relationship
WASHINGTON, Feb. 22, 2005 — President Bush called NATO "the vital relationship for the United States when it comes to security." Bush spoke during a press conference today at NATO headquarters in Brussels, Belgium. Story

ON THE GROUND
Marine Receives Bronze Star Medal for Valor
MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP LEJEUNE, N.C., Feb. 22, 2004 — In the early morning hours of April 9, 2004, a Marine sniper and his spotter crawled on top of an abandoned oil storage tank in Lutafiyah, Iraq. Their mission was routine, but it became a mission that will go down in Marine Corps history. Story

Troops Deal With Working 'Inside the Wire'
NAVAL STATION GUANTANAMO BAY, Cuba, Feb. 22, 2005 — Working "inside the wire" of the enemy combatant detention facility can lead to stress for the U.S. troops working here. But experts and leaders are working to help troops deal with the unique conditions of working on this isolated island base. Story

Joint Program Trains Iraqi Security Forces
BAGHDAD, Iraq, Feb. 22, 2005 — In a joint program with the NATO Training Mission-Iraq and the Multi-National Security Transition Command-Iraq, more than 45 Iraqi officers, non-commissioned officers and Ministry of Defense civilians trained to operate and install high frequency radio communications equipment that will be used by the Iraqi Security Forces. Story

U.S. Soldiers Give 'Gift of Life' to Afghan Boy
KABUL, Afghanistan, Feb. 22, 2005 — U.S. Army Capt. (Dr.) James Gruber had little Qudrat Ullah placed in his lap during a refugee camp humanitarian visit and soon discovered the 1-year-old boy had a heart condition which would eventually kill him. Little did he know the miracle that was in store that would enable the child to receive treatment in the United States. Story

IN IRAQ
Army Corps of Engineers, Italians Assist Iraqi Police
Corps of Engineers Rebuilds Schools Across Iraq
Teams Measure Success by Lives Saved

IN AFGHANISTAN
MPs Maintain Presence in Afghan Community
U.S., Coalition Troops Support Kabul School

IN KUWAIT
Marine Squadron Trades Flight Deck for Flight Line

IN THE PERSIAN GULF
Bonhomme Richard Chases Pirates in Gulf

FACE OF DEFENSE
Declared 'Fit for Duty,' Amputee Plans Return to Iraq
WASHINGTON, Feb. 22, 2005 — Like many Operation Iraqi Freedom veterans, U.S. Army Capt. David Rozelle's story began in Iraq. Unlike many of those same veterans, his is set to continue there as well. Story

TOP NEWS
IN IRAQ
U.S. Marine Killed in Action
U.S. Soldiers Killed in Iraq
Iraqi Casualties Mount
Forces Cornerstone of Security
Rumsfeld, Myers Describe Enemy
Iraq Daily Update
Weekly Progress Report (pdf)

IN AFGHANISTAN
Abizaid Discusses Afghan Progress
Tide Turning in Afghanistan

WAR ON TERRORISM
Global Posture Realignment Needed
Measures Protect Against Threat
Bush: Alliance Pillar of Security
Bush Visit to Reaffirm Alliance
California Forms Response Teams
U.S., Japan Discuss Asia Security
Waging and Winning the War on Terror
Terrorism Timeline
Terrorism Knowledge Base

MILITARY NEWS
Scam Targets Grieving Families
National Guard, Reserve Update

CASUALTIES
Officials Identify Navy Casualty
WASHINGTON, Feb. 22, 2005 — Defense Department officials announced today the identity of a sailor who died supporting Operation Enduring Freedom. Story