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

BEIRUT–Syrian security forces bombarded several cities with mortars and heavy artillery on Friday, and fighting edged closer to the capital of Damascus as residents of the city’s suburbs reported a days-long military onslaught. Read full article > >

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Surge in violence, killings across Syria; U.N. Security Council set to meet

While activists say security forces fired on sit-ins.

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Syria Blames Al Qaeda for Bombing

Syrian security forces opened fire on several of the demonstrations on Friday, according to activists, as hundreds of thousands staged protests across the country.

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Large Protests Held in Syria to Prove Discontent to Monitors

Egypt’s state-run and independent media battled over whom to blame as clashes between security forces and protesters continued for a fourth day on Monday in Cairo.

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As Violence Continues, Egypt News Media Clash Over Its Cause

Between security forces and protesters.

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Egypt Clashes Rage for Third Day

The attack was one of the largest attacks yet on Syrian security forces by a growing armed insurgency.

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Syria Army Defectors Said to Kill 27 Soldiers in Coordinated Assault

CAIRO — Egyptians lined up at the polls in large numbers Tuesday for the second day in a row, part of a landmark parliamentary election that Egyptians hope will usher in democracy after decades of autocratic rule.  The voting follow mores than a week of anti-military council demonstrations and a violent crackdown by security forces that left at least 42 people dead. Despite the unrest, Egyptians turned out in droves both Monday and on Tuesday to choose representatives for their first post-Mubarak parliament. The voting will be conducted in stages over a period of three months. Read full article > >

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Tahrir Square crowd dwindles as Egyptians head to the polls

BAGHDAD — A suicide bomber slammed a car packed with explosives into the gate of a prison north of Baghdad on Monday, killing at least 11 people, Iraqi officials said. The attack in the town of Taji, about 12 miles (20 kilometers) north of the capital, is the third major attack in about a week in Iraq, and raises questions about the ability of the nation’s security forces to protect the country after U.S. troops leave in just over a month. Read full article > >

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Suicide car bomber kills 11 people outside a prison north of Baghdad

“Excessive force” was used by security forces in Bahrain against pro-democracy protesters earlier this year, the government finds.

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Bahrain admits ‘excessive force’

Turkish security forces shoot dead a hijacker who seized a ferry on Friday and free the 24 passengers and crew, officials say.

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Turkish forces end ferry hijack

Turkish security forces have shot dead a hijacker who seized a ferry off the coast east of Istanbul on Friday.

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VIDEO: Turkish forces end ferry hijack

Wilson Ramos, a catcher for the Washington Nationals who was abducted two days ago, was found alive in nearby mountains by Venezuelan security forces in an airborne operation.

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Ramos, Abducted Catcher, Is Rescued in Venezuela

At least three people have been killed by Syrian security forces in the city of Homs, anti-government activists in Syria say.

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Fresh bloodshed hits Syrian towns

FORWARD OPERATING BASE SHARANA, Afghanistan — One of the top American generals responsible for training the Afghan security forces was fired Saturday for criticizing President Hamid Karzai and his government. Maj. Gen. Peter Fuller, the deputy commander for programs at the NATO Training Mission-Afghanistan, based in Kabul, was relieved of his duties by the top commander in Afghanistan, Gen. John R. Allen, after comments Fuller made to the news website Politico. Read full article > >

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U.S. general fired for criticizing Hamid Karzai