top news - "iraq"

Five years after he green-lighted the war in iraq, President Bush will mark the anniversary by calling the debate over the conflict 'understandable' but insisting that a continued U.S. presence there is crucial.

Five years after he green-lighted the war in iraq, President Bush will mark the anniversary by calling the debate over the conflict 'understandable' but insisting that a continued U.S. presence there is crucial.

MILLERSVILLE, Penn. (Reuters) - U.S. Rep. John Murtha, a leading congressional opponent of the war in iraq, on Tuesday endorsed Hillary Clinton's presidential bid, saying her position on the war made her the best candidate to take over the White House.

The government has spent about $400 billion on the first five years of the iraq war, but some economists think the final economic impact could approach $3 trillion.

AP - 'The Man Who Pushed America to War' (Nation Books. 367 pages. $27.50), by Aram Roston: A brilliant young math prof who switched into banking and middle east politics.

One of the things Bush said would happen with success in iraq would be a new perspective across the region and the broader Muslim community that al-Qaeda's way might not be the way for Islam into the future.

US Vice-President Cheney says the US will complete its iraq mission, to prevent it becoming a base for terrorists.

Sen. john mccain, the republican presidential nominee-in-waiting, expressed fresh concern about Iran's influence in iraq and rising sway in Mideast.

Fingar also criticized the U.S. intel on whether iraq had nuclear weapons.

Sen. john mccain warned Tuesday that Iran's increasing influence in the middle east is hindering progress in iraq.