Russia’s foreign minister said on Wednesday that Syria’s vice president would seek open talks with the rebels, even as regime forces were reported to be shelling the city of Homs.

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As Russia Pushes Diplomacy, Syrian Forces Are Said to Pound Homs

The U.S. military is planning to elevate the role of Special Operations forces in Afghanistan as it shifts away from a combat focus to a mission that places greater emphasis on advising Afghan forces and raids to kill top insurgent leaders, senior U.S. officials said. Read full article > >

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U.S. to elevate Special Operations forces’ role in Afghanistan

Just after the first anniversary of the onset of the Arab Spring, the Obama administration announced in December an enormous arms sale to Saudi Arabia , with a price tag greater than the annual gross domestic product of more than half the countries in the world. The administration hailed the sale as a “ historic achievement ” that “reinforces the strong and enduring relationship between the United States and Saudi Arabia.” The close juxtaposition of the anniversary and the apparent repair of the temporary rough patch in U.S.-Saudi relations highlights crucial overlooked realities about the Arab Spring and the U.S. response. Read full article > >

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Washington’s bow to Mideast monarchs

BRUSSELS — The United States and NATO will seek to end their combat mission in Afghanistan next year and shift to a role of providing support and training to Afghan security forces, Defense Secretary Leon E. Panetta said Wednesday. Read full article > >

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Panetta: U.S., NATO will seek to end Afghan combat mission next year

The Syrian army moves back into some outlying suburbs of Damascus recently held by rebel forces, and heavily bombards the suburb of Saqba.

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Army ‘regains Damascus suburbs’

PARIS—France said Friday that it will accelerate the pullout of its combat forces from Afghanistan by one year, to the end of 2013, and in concert with Afghanistan urged NATO to hand over all combat operations to the Afghan army by the same date. Read full article > >

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France will speed up troop withdrawal from Afghanistan by one year

The visit, truncated by worries about volatile areas, revealed the limitations of the Arab League’s mission as the conflict shifted to clashes between armed groups and government security forces.

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In Syria, Arab League Monitors Face Severe Limits

The National Audit Office criticises an £80m Home Office programme to equip police forces with Blackberrys and other mobile devices.

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Blackberrys for police criticised

The National Audit Office criticises an £80m Home Office programme to equip police forces with Blackberrys and other mobile devices.

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Blackberrys for police criticised

Pro-government forces launch a major offensive from the Somali capital, Mogadishu, to seize territory from al-Shabab Islamist militants.

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Somalia forces attack al-Shabab

President Nicolas Sarkozy of France suspended military operations in Afghanistan and said he was considering an early pullout of his nation’s forces.

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Sarkozy Weighs Afghan Withdrawal After Soldier Kills 4 French Troops

The PIP breast implant scandal “reinforces” the need to reform Europe-wide regulation, according to the European Commission.

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Implant furore ‘justifies’ reform

The scientific and social forces that brought midlife America to its current state.

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In Our Prime – The Invention of Middle Age – By Patricia Cohen – Book Review

Shows alleged U.S. forces urinating on corpses.

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Karzai Condemns Taliban Abuse Tape

In main supply route for NATO forces.

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29 Killed in Pakistan Bombing