Wednesday, February 15, 2012

Afghanistan

Bush Seeks $120 Billion More For Iraq, Afghan Wars

George W. Bush (file photo) (epa)

3 February 2006 -- Reports from Washington say the Bush administration is planning to ask Congress for $120 billion more to fund U.S. military operations in Iraq and Afghanistan.

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February 03, 2006

Officials said the White House is seeking $70 billion for the two conflicts for the rest of this fiscal year, and $50 billion more for the start of the fiscal 2007 budget year that begins in October.

The funds for Iraq and Afghanistan are not included in a $439.3 billion defense-spending plan for fiscal 2007 that President George W. Bush is expected to submit to Congress next week.

Officials said the spending plan -- which marks a nearly 5 percent increase over this year's U.S. defense budget -- includes about $84 billion for fighter jets, ships, and other new weapons.

(Reuters, AP)

Security Guarantees For Iran?

Hans Blix (CTK)

SECURITY GUARANTEES On January 26, RFE/RL Radio Farda correspondent Fatemeh Aman spoke with former UN chief weapons inspector HANS BLIX about the confrontation between Iran and the international community over Tehran's nuclear ambitions. Blix urged the United States to participate in direct negotiations with Tehran and to offer Iran security guarantees that are similar to those being discussed with North Korea...(more)

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Listen to the complete interview (about five minutes):

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THE COMPLETE STORY: RFE/RL's complete coverage of controversy surrounding Iran's nuclear program.

CHRONOLOGY

An annotated timeline of Iran's nuclear program.

A vendor in the central Bosnian town of Zenica sells heart-shaped cushions with proclamations of love for 1 euro each.

Love It (Or Hate It), It's Valentine's Day

Valentine's Day, the Western holiday celebrating love, has become a global phenomenon over the past two decades. The fall of communism and the emergence of the Internet have helped February 14 become something of an unofficial international day of romance. However, not all the passions the holiday stirs are related to love. While some countries have openly embraced the holiday, others are attempting to ban it or replace it with local customs. More

Gasoline prices have risen dramatically in Pakistan in recent years

In Pakistan, Cleaner Fuel Powers Supply, Safety Issues

Rising fuel prices have pushed Pakistan to become a global leader in using compressed natural gas (CNG) to fuel vehicles. More

Family members of missing Baluchs, mostly political activists, rally in protest on the eve of international Human Rights Day in Quetta, Balochistan, on December 10, 2011.

U.S. Hearing On Balochistan Raises Hackles, Awareness In Pakistan

The U.S. Congressional hearing last week on Balochistan, the largest of Pakistan's four provinces, though it was firmly rejected by Islamabad, is being seen in Pakistan as any eye-opener for the state and its security agencies. More