Politics - AFP

WASHINGTON (AFP) - A US military strike on Iran's nuclear facilities would be "very destabilizing," top US military commander Admiral Mike Mullen said Sunday, warning that any attack could have serious "unintended consequences."

MOSCOW (AFP) - The United States expects to see progress that could allow a deal by year's end to replace a Cold War-era nuclear arms treaty during President Barack Obama's visit to Moscow, a US official said Sunday.

WASHINGTON (AFP) - The United States urged North Korea on Saturday not to "aggravate tensions" as it slammed Pyongyang's latest missile test, apparently timed for the US Independence Day holiday, as "not helpful."

MOSCOW (AFP) - The United States wants to forge new relations on an equal footing with Russia, President Barack Obama said in a television interview broadcast Saturday to the Russian-language audience.

WASHINGTON (AFP) - Vice President Joe Biden vowed that the United States will not put Iraq on the "bottom shelf," even as the US military ramps up operations in Afghanistan and crises rumble on in North Korea, Iran and Pakistan.

WASHINGTON (AFP) - The US military offensive launched in Afghanistan's south this week is the first step in President Barack Obama's new strategy in a war he has described as a key priority for his administration.

WASHINGTON (AFP) - US President Barack Obama urged Americans, who celebrate Independence Day Saturday, to implement broad economic and social reforms, expressing confidence the country will be able to overcome the challenges it is facing.

WASHINGTON (AFP) - The Obama administration is planning to use the National Security Agency to screen Internet traffic between government agencies and the private sector, the Washington Post reported Friday.

WASHINGTON (AFP) - Halfway through 2009, the US economy is still struggling in recession amid fragile hopes for recovery by the end of the year.

ROME (AFP) - US President Barack Obama said in an interview published Friday he thought Pope Benedict XVI would "share my approach" on policy in the Middle East.