Obama Administration seeks wartime authority for military commanders in dealing with Pak

October 7th, 2009 ISLAMABAD - The controversial Kerry-Lugar Bill, which offers Pakistan 1.5 billion dollars yearly over the next five years, is likely to come up for discussion during the meeting of Corps Commanders at General Headquarters in Rawalpindi today. Highly placed sources said the US aid Bill is unlikely to garner support during the meeting of Pakistan Army's top brass, which may ultimately sour the relationship between the armed forces and the government, which has been describing the assistance as its 'big success'.

September 24th, 2009 Obama won't seek new law for terror detentionsWASHINGTON — The Obama administration will not seek a new law spelling out how it can hold terror suspects indefinitely without bringing charges. Justice Department spokesman Dean Boyd says the administration has informed Congress it does not believe new laws are necessary to hold the remaining inmates at Guantanamo Bay or future detainees.

September 16th, 2009 AP Sources: Delay sought in Gitmo trialsWASHINGTON — The Obama administration is seeking another two-month delay in a handful of key military commission trials of terrorism detainees at Guantanamo Bay. The previous delay granted in six commission cases ends Thursday.

September 10th, 2009 DOD lawyer stops short of assuring Gitmo closingWASHINGTON — The Pentagon's top lawyer says the Obama administration remains committed to closing the Guantanamo Bay prison early next year but is stopping short of assuring it will happen. Pentagon general counsel Jeh Johnson on Thursday described the administration's struggle to follow legal and moral guidelines when dealing with terror detainees while protecting America from al-Qaida.

August 13th, 2009 Pentagon, governors face off over military reserveWASHINGTON — The Pentagon is upsetting the nation's governors by pushing for authority to call up military reservists for natural disasters — and to control how the troops would be used in any state. "Control" is the key word.

July 11th, 2009 WASHINGTON - Pakistan's military has offered to play a broker between the US and the Taliban, but in return it wants concessions from Washington over Islamabad's concerns with India, according to CNN. Pakistan military spokesman Maj.

July 1st, 2009 Gates says he wants to soften gay expulsion rulesWASHINGTON — Defense Secretary Robert Gates said Tuesday he wants to make the law prohibiting gays from serving openly in the armed forces "more humane" until Congress eventually repeals it. He said he has lawyers studying ways the law might be selectively enforced.

June 22nd, 2009 Obama lauds anti-smoking billWASHINGTON — President Barack Obama has signed the strongest anti-smoking measure ever, calling it an extraordinary accomplishment that will help keep children from getting hooked on cigarettes. Standing in the Rose Garden with a number of lawmakers and other guests, Obama declared: "It is a law that will save American lives." The legislation gives the Food and Drug Administration unprecedented authority to regulate tobacco and cigarette marketing.

June 10th, 2009 WASHINGTON - US Defence Secretary Robert Gates wants Congress' support for 700 million dollars for the Pakistan Counter-insurgency Capability Fund (PCCF) for 2010, as part of a massive 130 billion dollars request for overseas contingency operations for Afghanistan and Iraq wars. "This programme will be carried out with the concurrence of the Secretary of State and will complement existing and planned State Department efforts by allowing the CENTCOM commander to work with Pakistan's military to build counterinsurgency capability," he said.

May 15th, 2009 WASHINGTON - US President Barack Obama will continue to use military tribunals to put suspected terrorists on trial, The New York Times reported Friday. Obama will retain the military commissions first established for terrorism trials by his predecessor, president George W.

May 13th, 2009 Obama seeks to block release of detainee photosWASHINGTON — President Barack Obama is seeking to block the immediate release of hundreds of photos showing U.S. personnel allegedly abusing prisoners in Iraq and Afghanistan.

May 13th, 2009 Obama seeks to block release of abuse photosWASHINGTON — President Barack Obama is seeking to block the release of hundreds of photos showing prisoners in Iraq and Afghanistan being abused, reversing his position after military commanders warned that the images could stoke anti-American sentiment and endanger U.S. troops. The pictures show mistreatment of detainees at locations beyond the infamous U.S.-run Abu Ghraib prison in Iraq.

May 4th, 2009 WASHINGTON - President Barack Obama has only limited options for dealing with the crisis in Pakistan, as the anti-American feeling in the country is high, and US combat presence is prohibited, according to a leading US daily. The United States is fighting Pakistan-based extremists by proxy in order to save the PPP-led Government.

April 30th, 2009 Gates asks Congress for fast action on war fundingWASHINGTON — Defense Secretary Robert Gates is urging Congress to pass an $83.4 billion spending bill for the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan by Memorial Day, saying the Pentagon will deplete its funding for Pakistan next month and money for U.S. operations will start running out in July.

January 12th, 2009 WASHINGTON - US secretary of state-designate Hillary Clinton said Tuesday that the Obama administration will put 'every effort' forward to end the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Speaking before a Senate panel during her confirmation hearing, Clinton said she and president-elect Barack Obama are 'deeply sympathetic to Israel's desire to defend itself' against rocket attacks by Hamas.