Six years after the United States invaded Iraq, the end of America's costly mission is in sight, but the future of this tortured country is much less clear. ...more

March 20, 2009

A "substantial" number of the roughly 100,000 U.S. combat troops to be pulled out of Iraq by Aug. 31, 2010, will remain in the war zone through at least the end of this year to ensure national elections there go smoothly, senior Obama administration officials say. ...more

February 27, 2009

President Barack Obama has approved adding about 17,000 U.S. troops for the flagging war in Afghanistan, administration, defense and congressional officials said Tuesday. ...more

February 18, 2009

51 Percent Voter turnout in Iraq's provincial elections Saturday 76 Percent Voter turnout in national elections in December 2005 ...more

February 2, 2009

On the heels of an election that has left Republicans with no clear vision about how to regain power, the normally low-profile race to head the GOP's national committee has turned into a six-man showdown that has opened rifts along racial, regional and ideological lines. ...more

January 18, 2009

The city has tailored its annual citizen survey this year to find out what residents think about subjects ranging from one-way traffic on Gall Boulevard to feral poultry. ...more

December 28, 2008

The city has tailored its annual citizen survey this year to find out what residents think about subjects ranging from one-way traffic on Gall Boulevard to feral poultry. In a few weeks, Zephyrhills will mail 1,300 questionnaires to a random sampling of residents. This is the fifth year the city has partnered with the University of South Florida and its research-method students to tap the psyche of city residents. ...more

December 15, 2008

The presidential election had no sooner been called than the tussling began in largely congruent Republican and conservative circles about the whither question. Should the party and movement shift left or right? ...more

November 15, 2008

Nina Stanke is too young to drive, but for her 16th birthday, she's getting the right to vote. ...more

September 26, 2008

Ignore Earl, Rall A suggestion for those who find the columns of Frances Earl and Ted Rall objectionable: Ignore them! ...more

September 14, 2008