A mother's sorrow - Funeral is Tuesday for soldier killed in Iraq

VICTORVILLE -- Sgt. 1st Class Rudy Salcido married his sweetheart in July, three days before going back to training for his deployment to Iraq.

That was the last time they saw each other.MORE>>

Panel works on solution to Iraq woes

WASHINGTON. When it comes to finding a way out of the current Iraq quagmire, Connecticut lawmakers hope that an independent panel of Washington's wisest sages will pave the way.

Democratic victories in the recent midterm elections have been widely interpreted by politicians as a condemnation of the current Iraq policy. But, there are no easy answers. That's where the Iraq Study Group comes in.

The bipartisan panel of Washington power brokers is expected to issue a report by the end of the year that will include recommendations for change in Iraq. Connecticut lawmakers believe it may provide a rallying point for Democrats and Republicans to reach a consensus on Iraq. "Iraq, even now, is not past salvaging, if we right our course immediately," said Sen. Chris Dodd MORE>>

Hagel sees new course developing for Iraq

WASHINGTON. Sen. Chuck Hagel said Friday that "the button has been pushed" on setting a new course for America's role in Iraq.

The Nebraska Republican said that with last week's elections and continuing strife in Iraq, a new direction in the war should begin to emerge early next year. MORE>>