MEXICO CITY - Diplomacy remains the best course with Iran and news reports claiming the Defense Department is planning wartime operations there are "patently wrong," Pentagon Press Secretary Geoff Morrell told reporters.

LUKE AIR FORCE BASE, Ariz. - Phoenix’s KFNX 1100 AM News-Talk Radio has a simple mission: give voice to troops everywhere.

WASHINGTON - Most Iraqi people now reject the violence that has plagued their neighborhoods and the extremists who have been inciting the violence, a senior official in the region said.

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. - The Army Physical Fitness Test would be a lot more demanding if “Sgt. Ken” was in charge.

WASHINGTON - Coalition and Iraqi forces killed 11 insurgents, detained three others, and seized weapons caches in Iraq over the past three days, military officials said.

WASHINGTON - The recent re-establishment of U.S. 4th Fleet will promote increased alignment with the 32 countries and 13 territories in the Caribbean and in Central and South America, a senior Navy official said.

BAGHDAD - U.S. soldiers are helping Iraqi civilians in northeastern Baghdad recoup losses they may have suffered due to clashes between coalition forces and enemy fighters.

MEXICO CITY - Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki's stand against insurgents is serving to unify his once-splintered government, Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates told reporters in Mexico City.

MEXICO CITY - Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates’ visit to Mexico, the first in 12 years for a U.S. defense secretary, focused on a counterdrug partnership against drug cartels and other transnational threats.

MEXICO CITY - The movement of a second aircraft carrier into the Persian Gulf this week doesn’t signal an escalation of U.S. naval presence, but could serve as a “reminder” of it to countries in the region, Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates said in Mexico City.

WASHINGTON - A senior Army officer responsible for soldiers’ housing pledged remedial action in the wake of news reports citing some soldiers living on Fort Bragg, N.C., were housed in substandard quarters.

WASHINGTON - Coalition forces killed three terrorists and detained 12 suspects during operations in the northern half of Iraq.

WASHINGTON - Coalition and Afghan forces killed two terrorists and detained four in operations April 27 targeting a known suicide-bomb and homemade-bomb handler in the Bati Kowt district ofAfghanistan’s Nangarhar province.

ARLINGTON, Va. - The familiar, furry denizens of Sesame Street are starring in a new video workshop to help children deal with the multiple deployments of their parents and family adjustments upon a parent’s return.

WASHINGTON - The United States and its allies are making progress in Afghanistan, but there is a long, tough road ahead, President Bush said during a White House Rose Garden news conference.

BAGRAM AIR BASE, Afghanistan - Influential Afghan women addressed topics from education to security at a women's affairs seminar on Bagram Air Base.

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. - A National Guard enlisted leader participated in a demonstration of nonlethal weapons, letting herself be zapped, or "tased" by a device to control unruly people without badly hurting them.

LA PLATA, Md. - About 60 airmen, soldiers and civilians with the Air and Army National Guard brought Christmas early to a disabled Maryland woman by fixing her home on "National Rebuilding Day."

FORWARD OPERATING BASE ISKAN, Iraq - Residents of Hay Jasmen soon will walk on improved roads instead of dirt and rocks, inspiring a local leader to propose a new name to reflect the community’s new ambiance.

WASHINGTON - The U.S. Pacific Command is helping establish a new transnational crime unit in Micronesia created to support a crackdown on drug trafficking and other crimes that could destabilize the region.

WASHINGTON - Operation Homefront has extended its deadline for 25 American Patriot Freedom Scholarships for children of military families.

PHILADELPHIA - U.S. Navy Adm. Mike Mullen, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, called on citizens of Philadelphia to embrace those who have lost loved ones or who have been wounded in service to America.

PHILADELPHIA - The chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff accepted the Gold Medal of the Union League of Philadelphia on behalf of the men and women of the U.S. military, who he said make America’s freedom possible.

WASHINGTON - If the U.S. military lost its politically neutral footing, the armed forces would surrender the public’s trust, a senior U.S. military officer who explained a new Defense Department directive on troops’ political activity said.

KOREAN VILLAGE, Iraq - Cpl. Andrew M. Oquendo went from shooting photos for the U.S. Air Force to shooting rifles with the U.S. Marine Corps in Iraq.

FORWARD OPERATING BASE MAHMUDIYAH, Iraq - U.S. civil affairs soldiers are assessing fish farms in the Lutifiyah, Iraq, area to gauge their progress.

FORWARD OPERATING BASE HAMMER, Iraq - As the 3rd Heavy Brigade Combat Team's deployment draws to a close, leaders of the heavily-deployed "Sledgehammer Brigade" reflect on its successes which includes capturing 43 high-level enemy leaders and killing than 160 enemy fighters.

WASHINGTON - Iraqi security forces fought and performed well during recent battles against insurgents in Baghdad and Basra, a senior U.S. military officer in Iraq said.

WASHINGTON - Coalition forces killed 42 Iranian-backed insurgents and detained eight suspects in recent days, military officials said.

WASHINGTON - It’s almost peak moving season again for military families, and Defense Department leaders want families to know new resources are available to help.

BAGHDAD - Chicken farmers in Mahmudiyah, 20 miles south of Baghdad, received the jumpstart their industry needed with the arrival of 45,000 eggs, each ready for hatching.

WASHINGTON - The “Adopt a Platoon” group sends about 30,000 pieces of mail per month to let U.S. troops know they care.

BAGRAM AIR BASE, Afghanistan - Hundreds of citizens from Kapisa province swarmed a makeshift hospital during a medical outreach hosted by coaltion forces to connect villagers with the Afghan government.

WASHINGTON - Last year, 44 states and the District of Columbia proclaimed May 1 as Silver Star Day. This year, Silver Star Families of America, which began the movement, hopes all 50 states will honor their veterans May 1 to kick off Military Appreciation Month.

WASHINGTON - Coalition forces engaged anti-Afghan forces in the Tag Ab district of Afghanistan’s Kapisa province, resulting in the death of several militants.

WASHINGTON - Coalition forces killed at least 20 suspected terrorists, captured scores of others, and seized weapons caches in Iraq.

MIAMI - Participants in the 75th Joint Civilian Orientation Conference wrapped up their week-long journey to parts of U.S. Southern Command with a look into the military that some called "priceless."

WASHINGTON - Servicemembers who wear the uniform thanks to waivers are performing as well as non-waivered recruits, a senior Pentagon official said.

WASHINGTON - Walter Reed Army Medical Center today honored its 4,000-person team during Staff Appreciation Day, citing efforts to improve wounded warrior care.

FORT MYER, Va. - In what may have been the shortest retirement speech ever, Army Command Sgt. Maj. William J. Gainey looked out at the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps and Coast Guard honor guards in formation and, in less than a minute, said goodbye to 33 years in uniform.

WASHINGTON - Syria’s building of a secret nuclear facility with North Korean help reinforces the need to prevent the spread of weapons of mass destruction, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff said.

WASHINGTON - Coalition and Iraqi forces killed 22 suspected terrorists, captured 37 others, and seized weapons caches.

WASHINGTON - New Iranian weapons found around Basra, Iraq, provide evidence that Iran continues meddling in Iraq in ways that hamper progress and put U.S. and Iraqi lives at risk.

FORWARD OPERATING BASE KALSU, Iraq - After months of fighting, coalition forces in Arab Jabour have rid the area of al-Qaida in Iraq terrorists and have turned their attention to rebuilding the community.

BAGRAM AIR BASE, Afghanistan - Coalition medical personnel provided free medical care to local citizens in Kandahar province.

WASHINGTON - The Department of Veterans Affairs will begin contacting nearly 570,000 recent combat veterans to ensure they know about VA’s medical services and other benefits.

SOTO CANO AIR BASE, Honduras - Participants in the Defense Department's Joint Civilian Orientation Conference distributed school supplies to Honduran children.

WASHINGTON - A group of wounded warriors got a presidential send off at the White House as they launched a three-day bicycle ride to show the world and themselves what they’re still capable of accomplishing.

WASHINGTON - The annual "Take Our Sons and Daughters to Work Day" at the Pentagon hosted about 1,000 children -- double the number who attended last year, event sponsors said.

WASHINGTON - The normally serene Pentagon courtyard was turned into a veritable circus when Defense Department employees and their children arrived in throngs for National Take Our Daughters and Sons to Work Day.

WASHINGTON - Every seven seconds, someone within the Defense Department completes an online training course through a program that’s become the gold standard for delivering education and training anywhere, anytime.

WASHINGTON - The Iraqi government has expanded its use of biometric identification, allowing it to better screen its employees, troops and deceased, a U.S. official in Iraq said.

WASHINGTON - Coalition forces killed four Iranian-trained “special groups” criminals and detained five suspects north of Baghdad.

CAMP LIBERTY, Iraq, - U.S. Army Spc. Vivek Mishra came from India to America to study, but instead joined the military and became a U.S. citizen.

FORWARD OPERATING BASE FALCON, Iraq - Baghdad residents saw proof of an economic resurgence as they gathered for the grand reopening of Rashid Commercial Bank.

CARTAGENA, Colombia - A university president participating in the Joint Civilian Orientation Conference in Cartagena, Colombia, bounced around the country three decades ago in an old bus. Now he sees a booming tourism industry as he tours in an upscale bus.

WASHINGTON - The departments of Defense and Veterans Affairs are working together to solve problems for America’s wounded warriors.

WASHINGTON - When it comes to delays in getting warfighters what they need, Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates is a man of little patience.

NORFOLK, Va. - Defense Department officials participated in the Voluntary Protection Programs safety conference with an eye on reducing the department’s estimated $10 billion in annual losses caused by preventable injuries and accidents.

WASHINGTON - U.S. led economic-development programs for Iraq’s Wasit province are based largely on providing local farmers with the tools and knowledge needed to build profitable and sustainable agribusinesses.

WASHINGTON - In separate operations, coalition forces disrupted Taliban activities and detained two suspects.

WASHINGTON - Iraqi and coalition forces detained six suspected criminals and destroyed multiple weapons caches in an area north of Baghdad allegedly used as a manufacturing and storage location for homemade bombs.

WASHINGTON - The commander of Multinational Corps Iraq is “absolutely encouraged” by the progress he has seen during his first two and a half months in the country.

BAGHDAD - Fish farms have begun to thrive in Iraq’s Babil province, as Task Force Marne soldiers focus on reviving this vital industry.

WASHINGTON - In celebration of Military Appreciation Month, more than 100 festival queens will gather in Opelousas, La., for “Operation Rhinestone.”

WASHINGTON - One hundred Army Reserve soldiers representing every state in the union re-enlisted on the U.S. Capitol steps during a ceremony marking the Army Reserve’s 100th anniversary.

WASHINGTON - Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates has announced that the White House will nominate Army Gen. David H. Petraeus to be the next commander of U.S. Central Command.

BOGOTA, Colombia - U.S. civic and business leaders got a first-hand look at how the U.S. military works with Colombia to fight narco-trafficking.

WASHINGTON - Even as the Army Reserve celebrates its 1908 founding, the organization is in the midst of its biggest transformation, the component’s chief said.

MARINE CORPS BASE HAWAII - Wounded warrior care is becoming increasingly effective at helping troops through their transition.

WASHINGTON - Campaign stars authorized for wear on the Afghanistan and Iraq campaign medals represent recognition and honor for the sacrifices and contributions servicemembers have made there, a senior defense official said.

FORT BELVOIR, Va. - The military services continue to meet their recruiting numbers despite the most difficult recruiting market in years, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff said.

WASHINGTON - U.S. Army Capt. Joseph Kobes got more than he bargained for as he tried for the million dollar prize on the "Deal or No Deal" television show -- President Bush sent him a message wishing him luck.

WASHINGTON - The Defense Department maintains stringent standards for its recruits, despite an increase in felons the military services accept, officials said.

FORT BELVOIR, Va. - U.S. Navy Adm. Mike Mullen, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, told noncommissioned officers on Fort Belvoir, Va., that this is the most dangerous period he has seen in his more than 40 years in uniform.

RIO DE JANEIRO, Brazil - Forty-eight business, civic and local government leaders visited the USS George Washington about 80 miles off Brazil's shore, and a lucky dozen got to spend the night on the ship.

WASHINGTON - Succeeding in Iraq is critical to prevent a repeat of the strategic mistake in post-Soviet Afghanistan that ultimately led up to the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks, Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates told U.S. Military Academy cadets.

WASHINGTON - Navy Adm. Mike Mullen, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, who oversaw one of the most transformative eras in naval history, accepted the Atlantic Council's award for Distinguished Military Leadership.

RIO DE JANEIRO, Brazil - A Joint Civilian Orientation Conference participant, whose son has his sights set on attending the U.S. Naval Academy, got the chance to see some of the Navy's finest at work off the coast of Brazil.

WASHINGTON - Success on today’s and tomorrow’s battlefields requires military leaders guided by conscience, not “yes men,” Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates told future officers at the U.S. Military Academy.

WASHINGTON - Coalition forces killed a terrorist, detained suspects, and discovered homemade explosives during a series of operations throughout Iraq.

WASHINGTON - U.S. Army Spc. Pastor Paul Durano, from the Philippines, became an American citizen during a ceremony in Baghdad. Upon his naturalization, he quoted President Kennedy, "Ask not what your country can do for you...."

FORWARD OPERATING BASE MAHMUDIYAH, Iraq - Eight months of preparation paid off when the Mahmudiyah chicken hatchery received 35,000 eggs, the first of three shipments from Holland, for incubation in an effort to restore Iraq's poultry industry.

FORWARD OPERATING BASE SHARANA, Afghanistan - Rock 'n' roll was the order of the day for U.S. soldiers who enjoyed a spring event that included a live band, barbeque and pie.

WASHINGTON - The commander of Multinational Forces West’s Regimental Combat Team 1 described the enemy in Anbar province as “neutralized."

WASHINGTON - More than 200 volunteers stuffed care packages and listened to live country music in a "Toast to the Troops" sponsored by Jack Daniel's Distillery and United Service Organizations.

WASHINGTON - Coalition forces battling al-Qaida terrorists and Iranian-trained “special group” criminals killed 23 terrorists and detained 42 others during multiple engagements and missions across Iraq.

CAMP TAJI, Iraq - U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Maranata Temese, a former elementary school teacher born in Samoa, overcame obstacles to join the U.S. military and provide a better life for his family.

WASHINGTON - A piece of legislation aimed at easing transitions for military children switching schools adheres to an armed forces adage: Recruit the servicemember, but retain the family.

WASHINGTON - Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates has established a new task force to ensure the Defense Department is providing intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance assets to support warfighters.

WASHINGTON - Recent operations in Sadr City are part of the overall Baghdad plan to improve security and rebuild the area.

CAMP STYKER, Iraq - U.S. Army soldiers on Camp Stryker, Iraq, participated in the "Rakkasan Run for the Cure," a 5-kilometer race inspired by a captain's wife and breast cancer survivor.

WASHINGTON - Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates challenged military officers to become forward thinkers with the courage to advance new approaches needed to confront current and emerging threats.

FORWARD OPERATING BASE KUSHAMOND, Afghanistan - U.S. Army combat soldiers taught basic carpentry and masonry skills to citizens of Kushamond and nearby villages.

WASHINGTON - The U.S. Army Reserve will celebrate its 100th birthday on April 23, marking a full century of service in which Army Reserve soldiers have continuously answered the nation’s call.

WASHINGTON - Coalition and Iraqi forces killed or captured dozens of terrorists and criminal militia members during multiple engagements in Iraq.

WASHINGTON - The United States will keep its current number of troops -- roughly 28,000 -- deployed to the Republic of Korea, President Bush said during a joint news conference with his South Korean counterpart President Lee Myung-Bak.

U.S. NAVAL STATION GUANTANAMO BAY, Cuba - Members of the Joint Civilian Orientation Conference visited U.S. Naval Station Guantanamo Bay in Cuba, where they observed daily life for U.S. troops.

WASHINGTON - Capt. Chris Remillard shared his extra responsibilities as an Army physical therapist with students of his alma mater during a live guest lecture from Iraq.

WASHINGTON - Soldiers of the 101st Airborne Division are working with Iraqi troops to create a Daughters of Iraq program to complement the work done by the Sons of Iraq.

WASHINGTON - The State Department has issued a mandate to the Iraqi government to address corruption from a consolidated front, a U.S. military officer in Iraq said.

WASHINGTON - Deputy Defense Secretary Gordon England spoke about servicemembers' commitment when he addressed about 50 civilian professionals during their orientation for the Joint Civilian Orientation Course at the Pentagon.

WASHINGTON - Returning from combat with a disability brings with it significant challenges. But war wounded like Justin Callahan are finding recovery somewhat easier with the help of Hire Heroes USA, a job-placement group for disabled veterans.

WASHINGTON - Coalition forces detained a suspected militant during a joint U.S./Afghan security-force operation to disrupt roadside bombings in Khowst province, military officials reported.

WASHINGTON - U.S. soldiers captured a man suspected of leading an Iranian-backed Special Groups cell in southern Baghdad’s Rashid District yesterday, military officials reported.

WASHINGTON - Instead of putting pen to paper, new recruits need only press their index fingers to an electronic pad to sign their enlistment contracts, thanks to advancements in biometric technologies.

WASHINGTON - People who couldn’t attend a day-long celebration of those who serve in the military here last week could still enjoy the sounds thanks to a music and entertainment Web site.

WASHINGTON - A new Afghan constabulary training program addresses reports of corruption against some members of the national police, a U.S. commander in Afghanistan said.

WASHINGTON - Afghanistan’s growing army is starting to take the lead in battles against the Taliban, but the country’s constabulary still requires work, a U.S. commander said.

WASHINGTON - Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates praised Navy Adm. William J. Fallon at his retirement ceremony for bringing “unparalleled energy, ideas and diplomatic skill” to U.S. Central Command and for 41 years of service that has left the United States stronger and safer.

WASHINGTON - Iraqi army units are being fielded more quickly thanks to coordination and a streamlined process, a U.S. Army official told military analysts.

WASHINGTON - As he approaches retirement after 33 years of service, Army Command Sgt. Maj. William J. “Joe” Gainey said he’s preparing for the next phase of his life with a new outlook: It’s not necessary to always be “Number One.”

FORWARD OPERATING BASE KALSU, Iraq - U.S. soldiers delivered backpacks filled with school supplies, soccer balls and notebooks to two Iraqi schools for primary and secondary students.

FORT SAM HOUSTON, Texas - A robot normally used by doctors to perform work remotely allowed a soldier in Baghdad to virtually interact with his newborn son in Texas.

WASHINGTON - Twenty-five years after terrorists detonated a massive car bomb, killing 52 people at the U.S. Embassy in Beirut, President Bush urged unity in condemning the terrorism that continues to threaten the United States.

WASHINGTON - In two-part harmony, President Bush and British Prime Minister Gordon Brown vowed to work together to combat terrorism.

WASHINGTON - In the past year, the Iraqi army has transformed into a national force conducting operations that show its increasing combat capabilities, a senior U.S. commander said.

WASHINGTON - The Defense Department has launched a five-year effort to leverage medical innovations to develop new ways to treat war veterans who have severe, disfiguring wounds.

PHILADELPHIA - The World Affairs Council of Philadelphia honored U.S. troops and veterans who served in Iraq and Afghanistan with an award accepted by the vice chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.

WASHINGTON - The men and women of the U.S. Army Reserve will mark its 100th birthday on April 23, 2008, with ceremonies in and around the nation’s capital.

WASHINGTON - A commitment to improving cooperation with the Afghan government is a key to success in Afghanistan, a NATO spokesman said.

WASHINGTON - Coalition forces detained a Taliban commander and another suspected terrorist during operations in Zabul province.

WASHINGTON - Prosocutors in the case against the self-described mastermind of the Sept. 11 attacks and five of his co-conspirators have amended charges against the detainees to clarify their activities.

WASHINGTON - A new study shows that nearly 20 percent of Iraq and Afghanistan veterans report symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder or major depression, findings that military health officials called “very consistent” with their own.

WASHINGTON - Top Army leaders honored an Army forensic archeologist for his team’s work in analyzing Iraqi mass graves to piece together evidence of Saddam Hussein’s atrocities. Their job was to provide indisputable proof the Iraqi court needed.

WASHINGTON - Military programs ranging from resale to recreation support members of the military community regardless of their proximity to installations, a defense official said on Capitol Hill.

WASHINGTON - Coalition forces in Iraq detained 11 suspected terrorists today during countrywide operations targeting al-Qaida in Iraq leaders, military officials reported.

WASHINGTON - Marine Lance Cpl. Evan Eskharia received his U.S. citizenship during a ceremony April 12, 2008, in Iraq, the country of his birth.

WASHINGTON - The military services continue working to provide the best medical care possible, promoting best clinical practices while also addressing concerns about rising costs, the top military doctors told Congress.

GNJILANE, Kosovo - Crowded cafes, jammed roads and packed store shelves suggest progress in this former war zone where National Guard troops play a key role.

WASHINGTON - A record 2,199 nominations were filed for the 2008 Secretary of Defense Employer Support Freedom Award, which recognizes employers that support the National Guard and Reserves.

FORWARD OPERATING BASE HAMMER, Iraq - U.S. soldiers at Forward Operating Base Hammer tested their physical and mental endurance in the “Eagle Challenge."

WASHINGTON - The sacrifice of military families who have lost loved ones in service to their country is integral to the strength of the military itself, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff said.

WASHINGTON - A growing Afghan National Army and reformed police force is helping to put in place competent security forces across the country.

WASHINGTON - When Army reservist Joseph L. Bowser was faced with either living with a mangled leg or a prosthetic one, he based his decision on how he could best play hockey again. Four years to the date later, Bowser's hockey team placed second in a world championship.

WASHINGTON - A letter discovered on the body of a terrorist killed in fighting with coalition forces provides a chilling glimpse into the inner workings of al-Qaida in Iraq, military officials said.

CAMP TAJI, Iraq - Army Staff Sgt. Steven Atlas likes to “pay it forward” -- a philosophy that leads to a chain reaction of helping others.

WASHINGTON - A jack of many trades and master of the deadpan delivery, Ben Stein added one more title to a list that already includes actor, economist, educator and writer: that of exceptional public servant.

WASHINGTON - Coalition forces detained 13 suspected terrorists during operations targeting al-Qaida in Iraq networks in the Tigris River Valley and northwestern Iraq.

CAMP TAJI, Iraq - U.S. and Iraqi soldiers made April 13 a happy day for Iraqi children at two schools near Taji, northwest of Baghdad.

WASHINGTON - The chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff said he aims for an even approach as he weighs the complexities of keeping U.S. forces trained and poised for future threats.

WASHINGTON - Defense Department officials praised Iraq’s security forces for the rescue of CBS journalist Richard Butler, who was kidnapped in February.

WASHINGTON - The secretaries of Defense and State recommended Congress fund the U.S. military to train and equip foreign forces for global counterinsurgency operations.

WASHINGTON - The Defense Department has made great strides over the past four years to ensure troops, particularly those overseas, have greater opportunity to vote. The effort involves working closely with the U.S. and military postal services to ensure no servicemember wishing to vote misses out.

WASHINGTON - Multinational Force Iraq today issued a statement strongly condemning today’s attacks against innocent Iraqi civilians.

WASHINGTON - A concert by country music star Craig Morgan will be one of the perks for those who prepare 10,000 care packages in a "Toast to the Troops" campaign conducted by a distillery and service organizations on Marine Corps Base Quantico, Va., April 19.

WASHINGTON - Insurgents attacked a medical outreach team of Afghan National Army and coalition forces in the Sanguin district of Afghanistan’s Helmand province April 12, military officials reported.

WASHINGTON - Coalition forces captured an alleged al-Qaida in Iraq leader thought to be in charge of an illegal terrorist court system in the area in Mosul, military officials reported.

WASHINGTON - Wounded veterans who once enjoyed sports and being outdoors can resume recreational activities, thanks to a foundation's "Foxtrot" programs in Alabama.

WASHINGTON - The collaboration needed to fight global terrorism demonstrates the need for cultural change among federal agencies, the secretaries of Defense and State told a House committee.

WASHINGTON - Coalition military officials in Baghdad have informed attorneys for Associated Press photographer Bilal Hussein Zaidon that they intend to release Hussein.

WASHINGTON - A day after more than 20 military immigrants became naturalized U.S. citizens at the Pentagon, a top Defense Department official reflected on his family’s journey to the United States.

CAMP VICTORY, Iraq - Multinational Division Center launched an operation to help Baghdad province communities grow, from governance to infrastructure.

FORWARD OPERATING BASE SHARANA, Afghanistan - The personal security detachment at Forward Operating Base Sharana, Afghanistan, does far more than escort their commanders around the battlefield.

WASHINGTON - U.S. Army Spc. Adam Rife uses his eyes and experience to look for roadside bombs to clear the way for convoys. Now he’s preparing other soldiers to do the same high-risk job.

WASHINGTON - Twenty-two U.S. military immigrants representing 15 nations wore a collective look of pride as they raised their right hands and recited the oath of U.S. citizenship in a Pentagon courtyard ceremony.

WASHINGTON - Increased security brought about by military success against insurgents in the western portion of Iraq’s Anbar province is enabling a drawdown of U.S. forces.

WASHINGTON - The Defense and Veterans Affairs departments are making progress on more than 400 recommendations to improve health care for injured troops and military veterans, Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates said.

WASHINGTON - For the fifth year in a row, the football players from the U.S. Naval Academy were honored guests at the White House to receive the Commander-in-Chief’s trophy.

WASHINGTON - Iraqi security forces are continuing to lead operations against insurgents in Basra and Baghdad and have made significant progress toward establishing security, a U.S. military spokesman in Iraq said.

WASHINGTON - Coaltion forces apprehended a militant network commander and others during a mission to disrupt bombing operations in Khowst province April 12.

WASHINGTON - Coalition forces netted nine suspects during operations in Iraq targeting senior al-Qaida leaders. Coalition forces conducted two missions targeting the al-Qaida bombing network.

WASHINGTON - Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice received the first honorary doctorate conferred by the U.S. Air Force in a ceremony in her home state of Alabama and delivered an acceptance speech expressing confidence in operations in Afghanistan.

WASHINGTON - CinCHouse.com, a web site for military families, is a finalist for Best Lifestyle site of 2008 in the 12th Annual Webby Awards, described by some as the “Oscars of the Internet.”

SOTO CANO AIR BASE, Honduras - A U.S. Army exercise in Honduras is testing the ability to support forward-deployed troops over three months as the number of U.S. military personnel on Soto Cano Air Base nearly doubles.

BAGRAM AIR BASE, Afghanistan - Coalition forces assisted Afghan veterinary officials in Farah province as they treated animals and taught shepherds how to care for their livestock at Farah Fire Base.

HAWIJAH, Iraq - Coalition forces were routinely targeted in Hawijah in Kirkuk province, the focus of the region’s worst violence. But since the citizens and their local leaders turned against the extremists, overall violence has dropped nearly 80 percent.

SAN FRANCISCO - USO volunteers and staff, like retired Air Force Col. Ray Slifka, help create homes away from home for travel-weary military members.

WASHINGTON - Extremism is the enemy of success in Iraq, whether in the form of Iranian-backed "special groups,” criminal militias or al-Qaida, Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates said on CBS's "Face the Nation."

WASHINGTON - In the wake of the 2007 troop surge, coalition forces have “revived the prospect of success in Iraq,” President Bush said in his weekly radio address.

BAGHDAD - Coalition forces killed one terrorist adn detained 10 suspects in operations across northern Iraq yesterday.

CAMP VICTORY, Iraq - Army Spc. Simon Nbenye, an Arabic interpreter born in Sudan, and 258 other foreign-born U.S. troops became U.S. citizens April 12 in Baghdad. "In America things are different. I feel safe,” he said.

WASHINGTON - The governors of Kansas and Kentucky signed a bill into law to ease the education transition for children as their military parents move from assignment to assignment.

WASHINGTON - Deputy Defense Secretary Gordon England will join U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services Director Emilio Gonzalez and deliver the keynote address at a special military naturalization ceremony .

WASHINGTON - Defense Department employees got a glimpse of the automobile of the future at a display of robot-driven vehicles in the Pentagon’s center courtyard.

WASHINGTON - Several hundred past and present Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency employees gathered to celebrate 50 years of success that ranged from missions to the moon to an early version of the Internet.

WASHINGTON - Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates said he is confident there will be fewer U.S. troops in Iraq in 2009, but added that the drawdown has been slower than he anticipated.

WASHINGTON - A Hellfire missile fired from a coalition unmanned aerial vehicle killed six heavily armed criminals in northeastern Baghdad.

FORT DIX, N.J. - Law enforcement personnel joined troops at the explosive ordnance range at Fort Dix, N.J., to watch explosives blow up vehicles as part of a training course targeting vehicle bombs.

HONOLULU - The Hale Koa Hotel has offered troops, military retirees and Defense Department civilian employees a piece of paradise on Hawaii’s most famous beach since it opened its doors in 1975.

JAKARTA, Indonesia - The top U.S. officer in the Pacific met with Indonesia's president to reaffirm the U.S. commitment to the region and applaud Indonesia’s role in security initiatives.

WASHINGTON - Friends and families of troops living in west-central California have a shoulder to lean with the Delta Blue Star Moms, a chapter of a support group surrounding U.S. military personnel.

WASHINGTON - As the United States continues its mission in Iraq and Afghanistan and also works to reduce deployment lengths for troops, leaders must balance carrying out vital missions while maintaining the health of the force, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff said.

BAGHDAD - Soldiers from the 1st Infantry Division’s 4th Brigade Combat Team are redeploying to Fort Riley, Kan.

FORWARD OPERATING BASE DELTA, Iraq - A police-led operation in Numaniyah, Iraq, sent a message to criminals in the city: Iraqi security forces are in control.

CAMP LIBERTY, Iraq - Through the efforts of a U.S. soldier, deployed troops can once again enjoy fresh eggs as a breakfast option after the nutritious staple was banned from Iraq for a year.

WASHINGTON - Sharply decreased violence in Iraq has set the stage for the departure of the remaining surge forces by the end of July, Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates testified before the Senate Armed Services Committee.

WASHINGTON - After nearly 20 hours of prepared statements to Congress, the top U.S. military commander and diplomat in Iraq answered reporters’ wide-ranging questions, describing daily levels of communication between Baghdad and Washington.

PETERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Colo. - The Department of Homeland Security and U.S. Northern Command plan to refine their existing intelligence relationship, a top DHS intelligence official said.

WASHINGTON - Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates tested a defense telephone link to China for the first time, making a call to his counterpart there and marking improved relations between the military leaders.

WASHINGTON - Iraqi security forces performed well, in view of their relative inexperience, in recent fighting against terrorists and criminals in the southern part of the country, including Basra, as well as in parts of Baghdad, the top U.S. military officer in Iraq said.

WASHINGTON - After the last of the surge brigades leaves Iraq this summer, future troop withdrawals will be based on conditions on the ground and will be evaluated continuously, the top U.S. commander in Iraq said in a recent television interview.

WASHINGTON - All military services met or exceeded their recruiting goals for March, Defense Department officials reported.

WASHINGTON - Coalition forces detained seven suspected terrorists during operations targeting al-Qaida in central and northern Iraq today.

JAKARTA, Indonesia - China’s military expansion raises questions and concerns, so the best way to get a clear sense of what China is up to and why is to engage with its leaders, the commander of U.S. Pacific Command said.

WASHINGTON - President Bush directed Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates to reduce the deployment time for soldiers in Iraq from 15 months to one year.

BAGRAM AIR BASE, Afghanistan - On the 101st day of 2008, 101st Airborne Division headquarters took command of NATO’s Regional Command East sector of Afghanistan from the 82nd Airborne Division.

CINCINNATI - Dozens of troops soon will be snacking on Girl Scout cookies thanks to the Thank You Foundation and Cincinnati groups.

JAKARTA, Indonesia - Navy Adm. Timothy J. Keating, commander of U.S. Pacific Command, visited Marines guarding the U.S. Embassy in Jakarta, Indonesia, on his way to a meeting with U.S. Ambassador to Indonesia Cameron Hume.

JAKARTA, Indonesia - The top U.S. military officer in the Pacific has pledged to continue working to build on the United States’ solid military-to-military relationship with Indonesia through exercises, military exchanges and information sharing.

BAGHDAD - The Raider Brigade Combat Team has a new ally in its mission to help the Iraqi government and coalition soldiers build on the predominately Sunni community of Doura in Baghdad’s Rashid district.

SOUTHWEST ASIA - An airman contributes to the war on terror by transporting cargo -- from hand grenades to bottled water.

WASHINGTON - The chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff stressed the need for more troops in Afghanistan, reduced deployment lengths, improved care for the wounded and a transition from “peacetime” to “wartime” processes.

WASHINGTON - Army Gen. David H. Petraeus and Ambassador Ryan C. Crocker wrapped a marathon of congressional testimony on Iraq April 8 and 9, 2008, by answering questions for the House Foreign Affairs Committee.

WASHINGTON - A Navy SEAL who posthumously received the Medal of Honor for his heroic actions in Iraq joined a rarefied fraternity of military heroes at the Pentagon.

WASHINGTON - Cumbersome controls over information flow in the Army soon may be a thing of the past, as the service works to deliver its messages proactively in the fast-paced cyber world.

WASHINGTON - Supply chain partners, from manufacturer to front lines, reached a major milestone in protecting warfighters from the effects of many improvised explosive devices.

WASHINGTON - The Iraqi government wants to establish itself as an independent entity that can stand without U.S. assistance, Army Gen. David H. Petraeus told the House Armed Services Committee.

WASHINGTON - A Baqouba-based Iraqi special weapons and tactics unit, advised by U.S. Special Forces, captured six terrorists in Shilbah village.

WASHINGTON - Recovering wounded veterans in California hear these visitors long before they see them: Blue Star Riders on motorcycles.

WASHINGTON - U.S. and Iraqi surge forces have boosted security in Iraq, but those gains are uneven and subject to reversal, the top U.S. military and diplomatic officials in Iraq told the House Armed Services Committee.

BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN, Brunei Darussalam - The top U.S. officer in the Pacific called Brunei’s efforts to expand its military capabilities and regional engagement a big step toward stabilizing the region.

KANDAHAR AIR FIELD, Afghanistan - An Air Force noncommissioned officer who had long hair all of her life decided during her deployment to Afghanistan to use her hair to brighten lives.

BAGHDAD - Soldiers at Forward Operating Base War Eagle in Baghdad invited a group of Iraqi children to showcase their artistic skills by painting the concrete walls used to protect citizens in their neighborhood.

WASHINGTON - The top U.S. military and diplomatic officials in Iraq are testifying for a second day on Capitol Hill about the way ahead in Iraq.

WASHINGTON - American troops fighting in Iraq understand the importance of their mission there despite strains caused by repeated deployments, the senior U.S. military officer in Iraq told Senate Foreign Relations Committee members.

WASHINGTON - The troop surge into Iraq has helped tamp down violence and improve security, but the situation remains fragile, the top U.S. military and diplomatic officials in Iraq told the Senate Foreign Relations Committee.

WASHINGTON - President Bush posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor to Petty Officer 2nd Class Michael A. Monsoor, whose mortal sacrifice in Iraq saved the lives of two fellow SEALs and several Iraqi soldiers.

WASHINGTON - An Army Apache helicopter and an Air Force F-16 took out a mortar-launching team and their launch site yesterday after an observation team saw them emplacing mortars in the New Baghdad district.

NARHWAN, Iraq - An Army vet team that treated more than 250 donkeys also improved the productivity of a brick factory. "We were able to teach the best way of care and feeding donkeys," said Army Capt. Rory Carolan.

WASHINGTON - Five suspects were caught during two separate operations targeting extremist networks in Afghanistan’s Uruzgan and Khowst provinces.

WASHINGTON - Top defense officials for the United States and Chile signed an agreement to begin sharing science and technology information, further strengthening bilateral ties between the two countries.

WASHINGTON - Defense Department dignitaries helped honor military children and their sacrifices during a reception hosted by “Our Military Kids."

WASHINGTON - The recent spike in violence in southern Iraq highlights the destructive role Iran has played in funding, training, arming and directing extremist “special groups” in Iraq, and generates renewed concern about Iran’s influence in the country.

SOUTHWEST ASIA - U.S. Air Force Senior Master Sgt. Robert Fisher has spent so many hours in the air he could have circled the planet 300 times.

WASHINGTON - The United States should take 45 days after the last “surge” brigade leaves Iraq in July to evaluate the situation before deciding future troop levels, the coalition’s top military commander said.

ADRESKAN, Afghanistan - Afghan and U.S. leaders celebrated the grand opening of a new facility for training Afghan National Civil Order Police in Adreskan.

BAGHDAD - Days after intense fighting and the March 30 call to peace from Shiite cleric Moqtada al-Sadr, coalition soldiers patrol the outskirts of Sadr City to ensure the safety of the city’s residents.

PALIKIR, Micronesia - U.S. Navy Adm. Timothy J. Keating praised Micronesia as a partner in promoting regional security and personally thanked a local soldier severely wounded while serving in the U.S. military in Iraq.

WASHINGTON - Coalition forces are increasingly focused on destroying enemy rocket and mortar teams following attacks on two Baghdad sites that killed three U.S. servicemembers and wounded 26 others.

FORT MYER, Va. - Silliness was encouraged at the Fort Myer, Va., child development center when Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey circus clowns entertained more than 100 youngsters.

NAIROBI, Kenya - Airmen and sailors joined Kenyans to increase access to clean drinking water within the arid Garissa district. "Some people have to walk 20 miles for water," said Navy Petty Officer 3rd Class Jack Ndaiga.

WASHINGTON - Afghan and coalition security forces operating in Afghanistan’s Nuristan province cleared Kendal and Shok villages of insurgents and captured several suspects, military officials reported.

WASHINGTON - Coalition troops killed five terrorists and captured eight suspects during counterinsurgency operations in Iraq, military officials reported.

WASHINGTON - Afghanistan’s government and national security forces have improved consistently in the past year, a NATO official said.

FORWARD OPERATING BASE KALSU, Iraq - When an Air Force engineer first stepped foot in Hawr Rajab, it was an al-Qaida in Iraq safe haven. Four months later, it has changed from 'the O.K. Corral' to a thriving community.

HIT, Iraq - E-mail hasn't dampened the joy of traditional mail for deployed troops. Just ask Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Kevin M. Natt.

WASHINGTON - Deployments are tough on military families, especially kids. “Our Military Children” helps fund after-school activities for National Guard and reserve families when a parent is deployed.

MARINE CORPS BASE HAWAII - Marine families based thousands of miles from home are finding deployments a bit less challenging with the help of an active family support network.

CAMP H.M. SMITH, Hawaii - The top U.S. officer in the Pacific declared a recent command post exercise a big success in ensuring U.S. Pacific Command is ready to respond to the broad challenges it faces in the region.

WASHINGTON - Coalition forces killed one terrorist and detained 22 suspects during operations targeting al Qaeda in central and northern parts of Iraq, according to coalition press releases.

WASHINGTON - Multinational Corps Iraq announced that a civilian contractor accompanying the force has been charged with aggravated assault under military law

WASHINGTON - Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates ended his NATO summit trip with a stop in Oman where he reaffirmed longstanding U.S. ties and discussed Iraq and Iran with Omani leaders.

WASHINGTON - NATO’s invitation to Albania and Croatia signifies the countries are on the right track in growing their fledgling democracies, President Bush said in his weekly radio address.

CAMP VICTORY, Iraq - U.S troops held a remembrance ceremony in honor of Sgt. 1st Class Paul R. Smith who gave his life in defense of others and earned the Medal of Honor.

ARLINGTON, Va. - The remains of Colorado Air National Guard Maj. Perry H. Jefferson, who vanished during an observation flight 39 years ago over the jungles of South Vietnam, were at last laid to rest at Arlington National Cemetery.

WASHINGTON - A joint effort between the Coalition Army Advisory Training Team and the Iraqi Defense Ministry will have completed the Iraqi prime minister’s objective for force generation by the end of the year.

WASHINGTON - As U.S. Central Command continues to focus on fighting terrorism, its main priorities are southern Iraq, Afghanistan and Pakistan. But It also plans to let Multinational Force Iraq and the Iraqi government continue to control the situation in southern Iraq.

WASHINGTON - Iraqis eager for stable government institutions consider corruption tantamount to terrorism, a U.S. inspector general in Iraq said.

EN ROUTE TO MUSCAT, Oman - The United States may send more troops to Afghanistan in 2009, Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates confirmed.

ENROUTE TO MUSCAT, Oman - Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates left the three-day NATO summit in Romania with a positive view, telling reporters: “I think, all in all, it was a very successful summit from the standpoint of the alliance.”

FORWARD OPERATING BASE KALSU, Iraq - Infants and adults from Abu Amer, a village in Wasit province, received medical assistance from coalition forces during a program designed to provide basic primary care.

WASHINGTON - Coalition forces in Iraq killed two terrorists and detained 16 suspected extremists during operations targeting al Qaeda senior leaders and bomb networks.

WASHINGTON - With camera crew in tow, comedian Kathy Griffin joked with Walter Reed Army Medical Center residents.

CAMP TAJI, Iraq - U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Shane Hansen and his brother, Army Sgt. 1st Class Zane Hansen, always have served on opposite sides of the world. But an unexpected mission brought them together in Iraq.

HONOLULU - More than 60 military and government leaders from across Asia and the Pacific yesterday kicked off a six-week program that aims to help them work more effectively and cooperatively to promote regional security.

WASHINGTON - Iraqi security forces, aided by coalition forces and local citizens, neutralized threats from an Iranian-backed “special group” in a Baghdad-area neighborhood.

WASHINGTON - Building an Iraqi police force is an enormous challenge, but the team of coalition and Iraqi forces is making progress, a senior U.S. Army officer said.

BUCHAREST, Romania - The second day of NATO’s summit conference ended with support for more troops in Afghanistan, a missile defense system for Europe and the hopes of eventually adding at least five more countries to the alliance.

WASHINGTON - As a means of combating identity theft, the Defense Department will issue identification cards without full Social Security numbers printed onto them.

WASHINGTON - The recent increase in attacks by Shiia extremists in Iraq gave coalition forces opportunities to target extremist cells and degrade their capabilities.

BUCHAREST, Romania - NATO formally offered membership to Albania and Croatia, two of the three Balkan nations President Bush had strongly advocated for acceptance. But Greece blocked an invitation for Macedonia, the third Balkan nation under consideration.

WASHINGTON - Coalition and Iraqi forces killed seven suspected terrorists, detained 10 others and seized weapons and explosives in Iraq the past three days, military officials said.

BETHESDA, Md. - Two Marines injured in Iraq praised the medical care they’ve received at the National Naval Medical Center in Bethesda, Md., during a ceremony for their renovated outpatient quarters.

KABUL, Afghanistan - Afghan police officers graduate from the first course on trauma assistance taught by U.S. Navy hospital corpsmen.

BUCHAREST, Romania - U.S. Army Spc. Monica Brown, the first woman soldier to receive the Silver Star for combat, was overwhelmed by additional recognition at the NATO summit from world leaders, including a fellow Texan: President Bush.

FALLUJAH, Iraq - U.S. Army engineers are directing an $85 million central wastewater treatment facility for Fallujah’s estimated 200,000 residents.

NATIONAL NAVAL MEDICAL CENTER, Bethesda, Md. - Deputy Defense Secretary Gordon R. England saluted a group of wounded Marine combat veterans and the medical care they receive during a ribbon-cutting ceremony for a newly-renovated outpatient housing facility at Bethesda, Md.

WASHINGTON - U.S. leaders applaud Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki’s strategic attempt to curb criminals and thugs in Basra, adding that the recent operation was Iraqi planned with minor coalition support.

WASHINGTON - Coalition and Iraqi forces killed 14 suspected terrorists, detained 49 others, and seized dozens of weapons in Iraq.

MANAS AIR BASE, Kyrgyzstan - With support from the Manas Air Base Outreach Society and the local Children's Heart Ward, two doctors who perform free heart surgeries have performed their 100th surgery.

BUCHAREST, Romania - President Bush called NATO’s upcoming decision on whether to accept three Balkan nations for membership into the alliance “historic” and said the United States strongly supports their joining.

MARINE CORPS AIR STATION NEW RIVER, N.C. - All servicemembers will have to become more like special operations troops as the war against terror continues.

BUCHAREST, Romania - Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates landed in Bucharest, Romania, for the start of the NATO summit, where he will meet with defense ministers from NATO allies.

WASHINGTON - Indiana school administrators, military support groups and volunteers are learning how 4-H assists children affected by a family member’s deployment.

BAGHDAD - Two U.S. soldiers serving in Iraq were inducted into the Order of Saint Maurice and received the prestigious infantry medallion in Baghdad, March 31.

JURF AS SAHKR, Iraq - After serving their sentences in U.S.-run prisons in Iraq, 25 detainees were released under the supervision of a local sheikh in Jurf as Sahkr.

SNOWMASS VILLAGE, Colo. - Several active-duty troops have joined nearly 400 disabled veterans to try a range of activities from skiing to scuba diving at the 22nd National Disabled Veterans Winter Sports Clinic.

SNOWMASS VILLAGE, Colo. - Bob Eiden, 74, isn’t going to let an amputated leg keep him from showing newly wounded combat veterans at a sports clinic that there’s still life after a disability.

WASHINGTON - NATO’s creation in 1949 provided a unique framework for Western military cooperation in an era of Soviet expansion, and subsequently throughout the Cold War.

WASHINGTON - NATO’s effort in Afghanistan shows not only how far the alliance has come from its original mission of confronting the Cold War era’s Soviet threat, but also how far it has to go to become a force for the 21st century.

MARINE CORPS AIR STATION NEW RIVER, N.C. - After the last of the “surge brigades” redeploy, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff would like to continually assess conditions on the ground in Iraq.

MARINE CORPS AIR STATION NEW RIVER, N.C. - The military has to reduce stress on the Army and Marine Corps or risk crossing “an invisible red line” that will place too much strain on the force.

WASHINGTON - The Defense Department, military services and communities around the world again are set to recognize the importance of military children whose parents serve their country.

WASHINGTON - Facing diverse global threats, the United States must underpin its offensive capabilities with protective systems such as missile defense, the vice chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff said.

CAMP BUEHRING, Kuwait - Troops stopping at Camp Buehring's recreaction center on the way to Iraq can meet Violet Kelly, better known as “Big Momma” to the troops. She watches out for them as if they were her own children.

WASHINGTON - President Bush strongly endorsed Ukraine’s and Georgia’s aspirations to join NATO during a news conference with reporters in the Ukrainian capital of Kyiv.

WASHINGTON - Coalition and Iraqi forces killed four suspected terrorists, detained 29 others, and seized or destroyed dozens of weapons in Iraq, military officials said.

FORWARD OPERATING BASE SHARANA, Afghanistan - Army cooks from Task Force Pacemaker are providing their own unique taste of home with each hot meal they serve. “Our weekly barbecues are the most loved meals by the soldiers,” said Army Staff Sgt. Melanie Scott.

FORWARD OPERATING BASE KALSU, Iraq - Working with Iraqi civilian and U.S. military doctors, coalition forces in Busayefi, Iraq, hosted a combined medical clinic. "We're trying to build a relationship with the people," said U.S. Army 2nd Lt. Jose Duke.

COPENHAGEN, Denmark - Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates met with Danish Defense Minister Soren Gade in Copenhagen, Denmark, to thank the country for its contribution to the fight in Afghanistan.

SNOWMASS VILLAGE, Colo. - As nearly 400 disabled veterans enjoy the National Disabled Veterans Winter Sports Clinic, officials credit a legion of volunteers and sponsors as the driving force behind the clinic’s success.

POPE AIR FORCE BASE, N.C. - The spike in violence in Basra and southern Baghdad proves there are still tough days ahead in Iraq, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff said during a visit to Pope Air Force Base, N.C.

WASHINGTON - For only the sixth time in its 59-year history, NATO is poised to expand its membership.