Al-Qaida's Hands Tied in Pakistan

The CIA has hampered al-Qaida's free rein in the tribal region of western Pakistan. Iran appears to be nearing a decision on whether to build a nuclear warhead according to departing CIA chief, Michael Hayden on Thursday. In what was probably his final briefing for reporters, Hayden said, "the great danger was that the border region between Pakistan and Afghanistan was a safe haven. My belief is that it is neither safe nor a haven."

President-elect Barack Obama has picked Leon Panetta, a former chief of staff to President Bill Clinton and a former Democratic congressman from California, to head the agency. There is a great deal of controversy over this appointment and many say he has no experience in this field and is not a good choice.

U.S. Fired at Insurgents in Pakistan

In Afghanistan, U.S. troops launched a barrage of artillery at insurgents attacking their position from inside Pakistan's volatile tribal region, This was in a cross-border strike coordinated with Pakistan's military according to U.S. and NATO officials.

Less than a mile inside Pakistan, the strike came after the militants fired rockets at a U.S. position in Afghanistan. Taliban and Al-Qaida militants have long found refuge in the border region, where they launch attacks on U.S. and NATO forces in Afghanistan. Sunday's operation highlights growing cooperation between Afghan, Pakistani and U.S. officers, according to military officials.

Gen. Petraeus Assesses Afghan War

The new chief of the U.S. Central Command, Gen. David Petraeus, is credited with turning the tide in Iraq. Now he took a firsthand look at the war in Afghanistan on Tuesday. He will meet with Afghan leaders and top U.S. military officials, including U.S. Gen. David McKiernan, the head of the NATO-led force. Gen. Greg Julian, the chief U.S. military spokeman in Afghanistan said Gen. Petraeus is in the country to conduct an initial assessment.

Air Force Must Do More in War Efforts

Defense Secretary Robert Gates said the Air Force is not doing enough to help in the Iraq and Afghanistan war effort. He complained that some military leaders are stuck in the old ways of doing business. He also said that getting the military services, largely the Air Force, to send more unmanned surveillance and reconnaissance aircraft to Iraq and Afghanistan has been like pulling teeth. He addressed officer students at the Air Force's Air University. He did praise the Air Force for its overall contributions but made a point of urging it to do more and to undertake new and creative ways of thinking about helping the war effort instead of focusing mainly on future threats. He also included a broad appeal to the entire military. The Army, Navy and Marine Corps have been expanding their fleets of drone aircraft.

Prince Harry Returns from Tour of Duty

Prince Harry returned home to his relieved father and older brother on Saturday after a 10 week Afghan tour of duty that security officials fear could now make him a top target for extremists. His body armor hanging loose off one shoulder, Harry, 23, descended the steps of a Royal Air Force troop carrier with about 170 other soldiers. He handed some of his gear to his brother, Prince William, and was led by his father, Prince Charles, to a waiting family car, where he took off the bullet proof vest. An army cornet,or second lieutenant, Harry left the southern province of Helmand after details of his deployment appeared Thursday on The Drudge report Web site, leaking news previously kept secret under a pool agreement between the Ministry of Defense and all major news organizations operating in Britain.

Bombing at Dog Fight in Afghanistan Kills 80

A suicide bomber penetrated a crowd watching a dog fighting competition in the Taliban's former stronghold, killing up to 80 people in one of the bloodiest bombings since the regime's 2001 ouster.The attack follows a year of record violence and predictions that the Afghan conflict could turn even deadlier this year.

Gates sees Positive Signs

U. S. Defense Secretary Robert Gates, despite a rise in insurgent violence this spring, said he is convinced that American and NATO forces are making steady progress against the Taliban in Afghanistan. Gates told reporters that he actually thinks things are slowly, cautiously headed in the right direction. But he is concerned to keep it moving that way. He spoke during a flight to the Afghan capital from singapore, where he attended a security conference.