FORWARD OPERATING BASE SHARANA, Afghanistan —Col. Edward Bohnemann leaned over the rocky bluff at the edge of his brigade’s most remote outpost, staring into a valley near the Pakistan border that is peppered with mud-baked huts and is home to a sea of insurgents. Bohnemann’s subordinate officers pointed to mountain ridges in the distance, outlining a strategy to vanquish the insurgents by expanding the U.S. presence in the area. But as an incoming commander during the last years of America’s 10-year-old war, Bohnemann wasn’t convinced. Read full article > >

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For new commanders in Afghanistan, a fine balance

The United Nations Relief and Works Agency said that up to 10,000 residents of a camp in the Syria port city of Latakia had fled under fire from Syrian security forces during the last three days.

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U.N. Agency Decries Syria’s Raid on Palestinian Camp

During the last presidential contest, I was often tough on Mitt Romney , once accusing him of “blending in perfectly with his surroundings — a social conservative in Iowa, an agent of change in New Hampshire, a protector of the auto industry in Michigan.” Even losers in a primary process can succeed in impressing, as Mike Huckabee did. Romney did not impress. He ran a campaign both expensive and directionless — a yacht without a rudder. Last month, I saw Romney speak and take questions at a Republican forum in Manchester, N.H. He was more casual and fluent than I’d seen him before — tieless, knowledgeable on economic matters, tough on President Obama’s record, apparently comfortable in his well-tanned skin. Romney seemed a better candidate, precisely because he wasn’t so eager to please.  Read full article > >

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Mitt Romney finds his moment

The French Chess Federation has accused three of its top players of cheating during the last year’s Chess Olympiad.

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Gambit: Chess Cheating Accusations in France

Support for Israel has long been one of issues that both sides of the aisle could agree on. But during the last round of midterm elections, Republicans repeatedly argued that the Obama White House had been tougher on Israel than previous…

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Can the GOP Actually Help Israel?

Readers of the new edition of the Times Atlas of Britain are being asked to send their memories of some of the villages and towns that have been abandoned during the last 100 years.

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The abandoned villages of Britain

Readers of the new edition of the Times Atlas of Britain are being asked to send their memories of some of the villages and towns that have been abandoned during the last 100 years.

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The abandoned villages of Britain

Readers of the new edition of the Times Atlas of Britain are being asked to send their memories of some of the villages and towns that have been abandoned during the last 100 years.

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The abandoned villages of Britain