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US Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi gives a press conference ...

(AFP/File) — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 00:29:38 GMT

(AFP/File) - US Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi gives a press conference on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC on November 17. Calling Afghan President Hamid Karzai an "unworthy partner," a key Democratic leader warned Friday that Congress cannot fund an expanded military mission without a reliable ally in Kabul.(AFP/File/Nicholas Kamm)

US soldiers march along fifth avenue as part of the Veterans ...

(AFP/File) — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 22:14:56 GMT

(AFP/File) - US soldiers march along fifth avenue as part of the Veterans Day parade in New York, November 11. President Barack Obama will wait until after Americans mark Thanksgiving on November 26 to announce whether or not he sends reinforcements to Afghanistan, his spokesman Robert Gibbs said Friday.(AFP/File/Emmanuel Dunand)

US President Barack Obama speaks during a town hall meeting ...

(AFP/File) — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 22:14:56 GMT

(AFP/File) - US President Barack Obama speaks during a town hall meeting at in Shanghai, on November 16. President Barack Obama will wait until after Americans mark Thanksgiving on November 26 to announce whether or not to he will send reinforcements to Afghanistan, his spokesman Robert Gibbs said Friday.(AFP/File/Mandel Ngan)

US Sen. John McCain waits to be introduced prior to delivering ...

(AFP/Getty Images/File) — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 21:48:34 GMT

(AFP/Getty Images/File) - US Sen. John McCain waits to be introduced prior to delivering remarks at the John Hopkins University Paul H. Nitze School of Advanced International Studies (SAIS) November 9 in Washington, DC. McCain predicted an allied win in Afghanistan in one year to 18 months if sufficient troops are sent, as the White House mulls sending tens of thousands of reinforcements.(AFP/Getty Images/File/Alex Wong)

This US Air Force File image from 2001, shows Cheyenne Mountain ...

(AFP/US Air Force/File) — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 21:40:25 GMT

(AFP/US Air Force/File) - This US Air Force File image from 2001, shows Cheyenne Mountain Complex entrance of the North American Aerospace Defense (NORAD) in Colorado. US and Canadian military commanders are reviewing whether to maintain elaborate air defenses set up after the ttacks of September 11, 2001, a spokesman said on Friday.(AFP/US Air Force/File/null)

A demonstrator holds upright a protest banner reading "No ...

(AFP/File) — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 21:39:48 GMT

(AFP/File) - A demonstrator holds upright a protest banner reading "No arms purchase! We want peace!" during a rally outside Taipei's presidential office, seen here in 2006. Supporters of Taiwan in the US Congress on Friday pushed for President Barack Obama to move toward selling arms to the island, a step that would almost certainly anger China.(AFP/File/Patrick Lin)

An Artic Wolf prowls around the Canadian Alert military and ...

(AFP/File) — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 21:16:20 GMT

(AFP/File) - An Artic Wolf prowls around the Canadian Alert military and scientific station, in 2004. US Secretary of Defense Robert Gates on Friday said Washington aims to boost cooperation with Canada in the Arctic, as Russia and others eye its vast untapped resources.(AFP/File/Stephanie Pertuiset)

US Secretary of Defense Robert Gates holds a press conference ...

(AFP/File) — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 21:16:20 GMT

(AFP/File) - US Secretary of Defense Robert Gates holds a press conference in the briefing room of the Pentagon in Washington, DC November 19. Gates on Friday said Washington aims to boost cooperation with Canada in the Arctic, as Russia and others eye its vast untapped resources.(AFP/File/Paul J. Richards)

Demonstrators wave flags and banners in Washington on October ...

(AFP/File) — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 21:10:42 GMT

(AFP/File) - Demonstrators wave flags and banners in Washington on October 2009 as gay activists marched to demand civil rights. A planned November hearing by the US Senate Armed Services Committee to consider ending a ban on gays serving openly in the US military will be postponed, a spokeswoman indicated Friday.(AFP/File/Maria Belen Perez Gabilondo)

Afghan National Army (ANA) soldiers keep watch in Kabul on November ...

(AFP/File) — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 20:49:51 GMT

(AFP/File) - Afghan National Army (ANA) soldiers keep watch in Kabul on November 18. The international community must ensure that aid and development projects in Afghanistan do not fuel corruption there, US Secretary of Defense Robert Gates said Friday.(AFP/File/Shah Marai)

US Defense Secretary Robert Gates takes questions from reporters ...

(AFP/Getty Images/File) — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 20:49:51 GMT

(AFP/Getty Images/File) - US Defense Secretary Robert Gates takes questions from reporters during a news conference at the Pentagon November 19 in Arlington, Virginia. The international community must ensure that aid and development projects in Afghanistan do not fuel corruption there, US Secretary of Defense Robert Gates said Friday.(AFP/Getty Images/File/Chip Somodevilla)

Patricia Rodas, former foreign minister during the government ...

(AFP) — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 20:45:59 GMT

(AFP) - Patricia Rodas, former foreign minister during the government of Honduran deposed President Manuel Zelaya, speaks during a press conference in Caracas. The United States on Friday welcomed a move by interim Honduran leader Roberto Micheletti to step down briefly, saying it boosted chances for ending the months-long political showdown.(AFP/Jorge Santos)

Attendees hold American flags during the funeral service for ...

(AFP/Getty Images/File) — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 19:53:13 GMT

(AFP/Getty Images/File) - Attendees hold American flags during the funeral service for Pfc. Michael S. Pearson at Abraham Lincoln National Cemetery November 14 in Joliet, Illinois. US commanders have authority to discipline soldiers promoting Islamist extremism even though military regulations do not mention "jihadist" militancy, a Pentagon spokesman said on Friday.(AFP/Getty Images/File/Tasos Katopodis)

Mourners during the funeral service of Pfc. Francheska Velez ...

(AFP/Getty Images/File) — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 19:53:13 GMT

(AFP/Getty Images/File) - Mourners during the funeral service of Pfc. Francheska Velez at Mount Olive Cemetery November 19 in Chicago. US commanders have authority to discipline soldiers promoting Islamist extremism even though military regulations do not mention "jihadist" militancy, a Pentagon spokesman said on Friday.(AFP/Getty Images/File/David Banks)

US Senator Dick Durbin (L) makes remarks with Senate Majority ...

(AFP/File) — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 19:48:25 GMT

(AFP/File) - US Senator Dick Durbin (L) makes remarks with Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (R) during a press conference on the state of the health care reform bills in July 2009 on Capitol Hill. President Barack Obama's Democratic allies in the Senate strove Friday to lock down support to prevail in a landmark first test vote on his top domestic priority, remaking the US health care system.(AFP/File/Tim Sloan)

President Barack Obama's Democratic allies in the Senate ...

(AFP/Getty Images/File) — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 19:48:25 GMT

(AFP/Getty Images/File) - President Barack Obama's Democratic allies in the Senate strove to lock down support to prevail in remaking the US health care system. Adding to their confidence, a wavering Democrat, Senator Ben Nelson of Nebraska, pictured here in October 2009, said he would vote with his party on Saturday but warned he might side with Republicans in subsequent fights.(AFP/Getty Images/File/Chip Somodevilla)

US Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (L) walks past the ...

(AFP) — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 19:48:25 GMT

(AFP) - US Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (L) walks past the Senate Chamber after a Senate Republican Leadership news conference about health care reform on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC. President Barack Obama's Democratic allies in the Senate strove Friday to lock down support to prevail in a landmark first test vote on his top domestic priority, remaking the US health care system.(AFP/Tim Sloan)

US Senators Chuck Grassley (L) and John Cornyn talk with reporters ...

(AFP) — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 19:48:25 GMT

(AFP) - US Senators Chuck Grassley (L) and John Cornyn talk with reporters after a Senate Republican Leadership news conference about health care reform on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC. President Barack Obama's Democratic allies in the Senate strove Friday to lock down support to prevail in a landmark first test vote on his top domestic priority, remaking the US health care system.(AFP/Tim Sloan)

In this handout photograph released by the Pakistan Press Information ...

(AFP/PID) — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 17:52:13 GMT

(AFP/PID) - In this handout photograph released by the Pakistan Press Information Department (PID), Pakistani Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani meets with CIA chief Leon Panetta in Islamabad. Panetta on Friday held talks in Pakistan and found agreement on intelligence cooperation as President Barack Obama nears a decision on troop deployments to Afghanistan, Islamabad said.(AFP/PID)

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (R) hugs Sen. Chris Dodd after ...

(AFP/Getty Images/File) — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 17:51:22 GMT

(AFP/Getty Images/File) - Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (R) hugs Sen. Chris Dodd after Senate Democrats unveiled their healthcare proposal while caucusing at the US Capitol November 18, in Washington DC. Reid is pursuing a long-term strategy to win the broader battle by courting a handful of swing-vote, centrist lawmakers to vote in favor of the overhaul itself.(AFP/Getty Images/File/Win Mcnamee)

Top Republican lawmakers, including House Minority Leader John ...

(AFP/Getty Images/File) — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 16:37:15 GMT

(AFP/Getty Images/File) - Top Republican lawmakers, including House Minority Leader John Boehner seen here in October 2009, wrote to President Barack Obama on Friday, expressing "deep concern" over his Afghanistan policy, saying it has left the country and allies "uncertain about (his) commitment to the war."(AFP/Getty Images/File/Brendan Smialowski)

A person is seen being vaccinated against the flu. A US company ...

(AFP/Getty Images/File) — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 14:50:46 GMT

(AFP/Getty Images/File) - A person is seen being vaccinated against the flu. A US company said it would make its flu vaccine abroad after a panel of experts gave the innovative product poor marks and failed to recommend it for approval by the US drug regulator.(AFP/Getty Images/File/David Greedy)

Chinese policemen lin Beijing.The United States called Friday ...

(AFP/File) — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 13:43:32 GMT

(AFP/File) - Chinese policemen lin Beijing.The United States called Friday for the release of Xue Feng, a China-born US citizen who has been held in the Asian nation for two years on state secrets charges.(AFP/File/Mark Ralston)

The Forum for Democratic Dialogue in Ethiopia has accused the ...

(AFP/File) — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 13:16:17 GMT

(AFP/File) - The Forum for Democratic Dialogue in Ethiopia has accused the government of Prime Minister Meles Zenawi, seen here in February 2009, of arresting its members and supporters in a bid to discourage its following ahead of the polls, a charge the government has repeatedly denied. A senior US official voiced concerns on Friday about the restrictions on opposition parties in Ethiopia.(AFP/File/Raveendran)

Chinese 100 yuan notes are counted at a bank in Shanghai. US ...

(AFP/File) — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 10:19:49 GMT

(AFP/File) - Chinese 100 yuan notes are counted at a bank in Shanghai. US lawmakers have criticized President Barack Obama's administration for not pressuring China enough over its rigid currency as they set the stage for slapping import duties on Chinese goods.(AFP/File/Mark Ralston)

US lawmakers have criticized the administration of US President ...

(AFP/File) — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 10:19:49 GMT

(AFP/File) - US lawmakers have criticized the administration of US President Barack Obama, seen here touring the Great Wall of China near Badaling, for not pressuring China enough over its rigid currency as they set the stage for slapping import duties on Chinese goods.(AFP/File/Saul Loeb)

US Marines patrol in Helmand Province on November 19. US Defense ...

(AFP) — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 04:09:58 GMT

(AFP) - US Marines patrol in Helmand Province on November 19. US Defense Secretary Robert Gates has said it is too soon to set a timeline for shifting security duties from NATO-led troops to Afghan forces, as proposed by Britain.(AFP/Manpreet Romana)

US Defense Secretary Robert Gates has said it is too soon to ...

(AFP/Getty Images) — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 04:09:58 GMT

(AFP/Getty Images) - US Defense Secretary Robert Gates has said it is too soon to set a timeline to transfer security duties from NATO-led troops to Afghan forces, as proposed by Britain.(AFP/Getty Images/Chip Somodevilla)

US and Afghan security forces gather at the site of a suicide ...

(AFP/File) — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 04:09:58 GMT

(AFP/File) - US and Afghan security forces gather at the site of a suicide attack in Kabul. US Defense Secretary Robert Gates has said it is too soon to set a timeline to transfer security duties from NATO-led troops to Afghan forces, as proposed by Britain.(AFP/File/Massoud Hossaini)

US Army Specialist Ryan Hill and his daughter pray together ...

(AFP/Getty Images/File) — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 03:57:37 GMT

(AFP/Getty Images/File) - US Army Specialist Ryan Hill and his daughter pray together as they light a candle and lay flowers at the front gate to Fort Hood following a shooting rampage on the grounds November 7, in Killeen, Texas. A former White House security adviser has alleged the Muslim army psychiatrist accused of the Texas military base attack may not have been investigated because of "political correctness."(AFP/Getty Images/File/Joe Raedle)

A handout photo shows Major Nidal Malik Hasan when he was a ...

(AFP/USUHS-HO/File) — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 03:57:37 GMT

(AFP/USUHS-HO/File) - A handout photo shows Major Nidal Malik Hasan when he was a medical student. A former White House security adviser has alleged that the Muslim army psychiatrist accused of killing 13 at a Texas military base may not have been investigated because of "political correctness."(AFP/USUHS-HO/File)

Graphic on the Fort Hood US army base shooting spree which took ...

(AFP) — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 03:57:37 GMT

(AFP) - Graphic on the Fort Hood US army base shooting spree which took place on November 5.(AFP/null)

A visitor in Beijing poses beside a one hundred yuan note sculpture. ...

(AFP/File) — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 02:09:22 GMT

(AFP/File) - A visitor in Beijing poses beside a one hundred yuan note sculpture. US lawmakers criticized US President Barack Obama's administration Thursday for not pressuring China enough over its rigid currency as they set the stage for slapping import duties on Chinese goods(AFP/File/Frederic J. Brown)

US President Barack Obama (C) walks with Chinese President Hu ...

(AFP/File) — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 02:09:22 GMT

(AFP/File) - US President Barack Obama (C) walks with Chinese President Hu Jintao (L) at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing November 17. US lawmakers criticized Obama's administration Thursday for not pressuring China enough over its rigid currency as they set the stage for slapping import duties on Chinese goods(AFP/File/Mandel Ngan)

An honor guard carries the coffin of Pfc. Francheska Velez during ...

(AFP/Getty Images) — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 01:52:49 GMT

(AFP/Getty Images) - An honor guard carries the coffin of Pfc. Francheska Velez during the funeral at Mount Olive Cemetery in Chicago. US Defense Secretary Robert Gates announced Thursday a thorough investigation into the Fort Hood shootings to examine if warning signs were missed and to ensure such a "tragedy" never happens again.(AFP/Getty Images/David Banks)

US Secretary of Defense Robert Gates (L) and Chairman of the ...

(AFP) — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 01:52:49 GMT

(AFP) - US Secretary of Defense Robert Gates (L) and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Admiral Mike Mullen hold a press conference in the briefing room of the Pentagon in Washington, DC, about the shooting at Fort Hood. Gates announced a thorough investigation into the Fort Hood shootings to examine if warning signs were missed.(AFP/Paul J. Richards)

The US Army plans to restrict media coverage of an appearance ...

(AFP/Getty Images/File) — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 00:59:20 GMT

(AFP/Getty Images/File) - The US Army plans to restrict media coverage of an appearance by Sarah Palin, pictured on November 18, at a military base to prevent the event from turning into a political protest against President Barack Obama, officials said.(AFP/Getty Images/File/Bill Pugliano)

Belgian Prime Minsiter Herman Van Rompuy arrives at a European ...

(AFP) — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 00:57:57 GMT

(AFP) - Belgian Prime Minsiter Herman Van Rompuy arrives at a European Union summit at the European Council headquarters in Brussels. European leaders on Thursday chose Van Rompuy to become the first president of the European Union, diplomatic sources said.(AFP/Georges Gobet)

US President Barack Obama (L) bows as he shakes hands with Japanese ...

(AFP/File) — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 00:55:29 GMT

(AFP/File) - US President Barack Obama (L) bows as he shakes hands with Japanese Emperor Akihito (C) and as Empress Michiko (R) looks on upon Obama's arrival at the Imperial Palace in Tokyo on November 14. The former top commander of US troops in Asia on Thursday strongly defended Obama against critics of his bow to Emperor Akihito, calling it a gesture of respect.(AFP/File/Mandel Ngan)

US Marines of 2nd Battalion 2 Marines of 2nd Marine Expeditionary ...

(AFP) — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 00:12:32 GMT

(AFP) - US Marines of 2nd Battalion 2 Marines of 2nd Marine Expeditionary Brigade patrol with the Afghan National Army in Mian Poshteh in Helmand Province. Influential US lawmakers on Thursday called for levying a new income tax to pay for the war in Afghanistan, warning its costs pose a mortal threat to efforts like a sweeping health care overhaul.(AFP/Manpreet Romana)

A person is vaccinated against the flu. A US company said it ...

(AFP/Getty Images/File) — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 23:41:35 GMT

(AFP/Getty Images/File) - A person is vaccinated against the flu. A US company said it would make its flu vaccine abroad after a panel of experts Thursday gave the innovative product poor marks and failed to recommend it for approval by the US drug regulator.(AFP/Getty Images/File/David Greedy)

US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton gives a press conference ...

(AFP) — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 23:39:09 GMT

(AFP) - US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton gives a press conference at the US embassy in Kabul. Clinton proposed Thursday to Afghan President Hamid Karzai to bring technocrats rather than warlords into his new government.(AFP/Shah Marai)

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (L), Sen. Charles Schumer ...

(AFP/Getty Images) — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 23:24:37 GMT

(AFP/Getty Images) - Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (L), Sen. Charles Schumer (2nd L), Sen. Christopher Dodd (2nd R) and Sen. Tom Harkin (R) receive applause from health care advocacy workers as they arrive at a news conference on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC.(AFP/Getty Images/Mark Wilson)

Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi speaks with press after a ...

(AFP/Getty Images/File) — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 22:08:08 GMT

(AFP/Getty Images/File) - Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi speaks with press after a caucus meeting with President Barack Obama on Capitol Hill November 7. Pelosi said Thursday that any new economic pump-priming legislation would seek to maximize job creation while limiting deficit expansion that puts "a weight" on US growth.(AFP/Getty Images/File/Brendan Smialowski)

US Defense Secretary Robert Gates holds a news conference at ...

(AFP/Getty Images) — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 22:04:30 GMT

(AFP/Getty Images) - US Defense Secretary Robert Gates holds a news conference at the Pentagon in Arlington, Virginia. US Defense Secretary Robert Gates said on Thursday it was too soon to set a timeline to transfer security duties from NATO-led troops to Afghan forces, as proposed by Britain.(AFP/Getty Images/Chip Somodevilla)

US and Afghan security forces gather at the site of a suicide ...

(AFP/File) — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 22:04:30 GMT

(AFP/File) - US and Afghan security forces gather at the site of a suicide attack in Kabul on November 13. US Defense Secretary Robert Gates said on Thursday it was too soon to set a timeline to transfer security duties from NATO-led troops to Afghan forces, as proposed by Britain.(AFP/File/Massoud Hossaini)

An American flag flies from a cargo boat filled with China Shipping ...

(AFP/Getty Images/File) — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 21:27:37 GMT

(AFP/Getty Images/File) - An American flag flies from a cargo boat filled with China Shipping containers at the Port of Miami on February 2009 in Miami, Florida. A report to the US Congress on Thursday voiced concern about Hong Kong's export controls, fearing that mainland China could use the territory to import sensitive technology.(AFP/Getty Images/File/Joe Raedle)

A guard of honor is covered by his flag at the Great Hall of ...

(AFP/File) — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 21:13:06 GMT

(AFP/File) - A guard of honor is covered by his flag at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing in 2008. China is sharply stepping up espionage against the United States as the rising Asian power grows more sophisticated in cyber warfare and spy recruitment, a report to Congress warned Thursday.(AFP/File/Teh Eng Koon)

View of an internet cafe in Beijing in 2008. China is sharply ...

(AFP/File) — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 21:13:06 GMT

(AFP/File) - View of an internet cafe in Beijing in 2008. China is sharply stepping up espionage against the United States as the rising Asian power grows more sophisticated in cyber warfare and spy recruitment, a report to Congress warned Thursday.(AFP/File)

Chinese security personnel are reflected in a puddle as they ...

(AFP/File) — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 21:13:06 GMT

(AFP/File) - Chinese security personnel are reflected in a puddle as they patrol Tiananmen Square in Beijing in 2008. China is sharply stepping up espionage against the United States as the rising Asian power grows more sophisticated in cyber warfare and spy recruitment, a report to Congress warned Thursday.(AFP/File/Mark Ralston)