Iraq

JBLM Soldier Killed In Afghanistan

JOINT BASE LEWIS-MCCHORD, Wash. - The Army says a Joint Base Lewis-McChord soldier has died in Afghanistan from wounds sustained when his vehicle was hit by an improvised explosive device.    Twenty-five-year-old Sgt. Michael E. Ristau, of Rockford, Ill., died July 13 after the

Is it just the economy? Other issues may play role

By JIM KUHNHENNAssociated Press WASHINGTON (AP) - As the economy colors and polarizes voters' attitudes, the Election Day outcome for President Barack Obama and Republican challenger Mitt Romney may be decided on the margins by narrower issues that energize small but crucial slivers of the

Auditors say billions likely wasted in Iraq work

By ROBERT BURNSAP National Security Writer WASHINGTON (AP) - After years of following the paper trail of $51 billion in U.S. taxpayer dollars provided to rebuild a broken Iraq, the U.S. government can say with certainty that too much was wasted. But it can't say how much. In what it called

New sanctions on Iran boost oil prices

By CHRIS KAHNAP Energy Writer NEW YORK (AP) - Fears of violence in the Persian Gulf escalated Thursday, pushing the price of oil higher. The Obama administration slapped Iran with more sanctions aimed at stifling its nuclear program. Traders, who worry that the sanctions will eventually lead to a