top news - "iraq"

Gen. David Petraeus insists the U.S. effort in iraq is moving in the right direction. Katie Couric spoke with him about the pace of progress in iraq, his frustrations there and Iran's role in recent battles.

Asking Congress to approve more funds for an unpopular war is getting increasingly problematic. Last year, Congress gave President Bush only part of what he'd requested. Now, with the domestic economy swooning, the president is asking for the rest -- $102 billion -- while his top general in iraq is making no promises on troop drawdowns.

NPR Senior News Analyst Daniel Schorr offers his take on the testimony of General David Petraeus and Ambassador Ryan Crocker before Congress this week.

The south Baghdad neighborhood of Saydeeya has been a violent place, even by the grim standards of the Iraqi capital. The U.S. troop surge brought a tentative halt to the sectarian warfare in the district. But it's an uneasy calm, and the Iraqi government has done little to build on it.

President Bush announces that troops serving in iraq and Afghanistan will serve 12-month tours -- down from 15. The shorter war zone assignments will take effect beginning with the next troop rotations in August.

Iraq has lined the pockets of investors in L-3 and other defense stocks.

The president announced a return to one-year tours of duty for U.S. soldiers serving in iraq, as part of an effort to ease strain on the military and boost morale.

Dawn Leamon she says she was raped by a coworker and and a soldier in iraq. She shares her story. Then we get a response from the Justice department.

If you've ever wondered what the Marines have in mind when they advertise for 'a few good men,' look no further than Gunnery Sgt. William 'Spanky' Gibson.  Two years ago, he lost a leg to a sniper's bullet in iraq. Today, he's back in the combat zone - by his own choice.

SPEAKERS: GENERAL DAVID PETRAEUS (USA), COMMANDER, MULTI-NATIONAL FORCE-iraq AND U.S. AMBASSADOR TO iraq RYAN CROCKER