Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates today issued a holiday season message giving thanks to the military men and women who put their lives on the line every day.  "This time of year calls on Americans to reflect on and give thanks for the freedoms and prosperity we enjoy. Of course, we can only do so because of those who put their lives on the line every day: the soldiers, sailors, airmen, and Marines who bear repeated deployments, hardships, and danger – without fail and without complaint. "Many have made the ultimate sacrifice.

Every year, Airmen here support the largest air mobility exercise in the United States. This Mobility Air Forces Exercise, or MAFEX, is essential in making sure both Soldiers and Airmen are prepared to coordinate jointly during overseas contingencies. The MAFEX is part of the U.S. Air Force Weapon School curriculum designed to culminate months of training that the students have received and challenge them to plan and execute a joint forcible entry airborne assault operation, integrating assets from across the world.

Should individual states be required to honor your guarantees under the Bill of Rights? Phoenix-based Bloomfield Press has asked the U.S. Supreme Court to say yes, in an amicus ("friend of the court") brief just filed. The goal is to require states to be bound by the Second Amendment right to keep and bear arms. They are not currently obligated to do so. This principle is up for review in McDonald v. Chicago, expected to be argued at the High Court in February, 2010, and decided by June.

The Seattle Gun Rights Examiner takes a hard look at an issue hovering below the radar http://www.examiner.com/x-4525-Seattle-Gun-Rights-Examiner~y2009m11d24-Has-Holder-spilled-beans-on-Obama-gun-registration-plan

Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva says Iran should negotiate with the West for a "just" solution to the country's controversial nuclear program. The Brazilian leader made his comments Monday as he welcomed Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad to Brasilia.  U.S.

Pakistani officials say troops backed by helicopters killed at least 18 militants during the latest offensive in the country's lawless tribal belt bordering Afghanistan. Defense officials said they launched the offensive Tuesday to target insurgents blamed for recent bombings in the country. On Monday, Pakistan's military said troops killed 18 militants while pursuing Taliban fighters during a second day of clashes in the town of Shahu Khel.  The clashes took place in the Orakzai region, near South Waziristan where Pakistani forces have been pressing an with an offensive against Talib

Talks to resolve issues that threaten the unity of Zimbabwe's shaky inclusive government got under way on Monday. The talks started after the deadline set by the Southern African Development Community (SADC) for the parties that make up the unity government to fully implement the so-called Global Political Agreement, or GPA, the deal that brought about the national unity government. On November 5 a SADC summit in Maputo gave the feuding parties 15 days to implement the outstanding issues. If this did not happen, SADC would send South Africa's President Jacob Zuma to break the logjam.

Several militants in Kandahar province were detained by an Afghan- international security force today. One of the suspects is a known Taliban facilitator responsible for the financial and logistical support of militant elements in the area. Tips from intelligence sources led the joint force to search compounds near the village of Bahay Dehe Sufla, southwest of Kandahar City. The compounds were searched without incident.

Intelligence reporting indicated that foreign fighters could be located in a town in Iraq's northwestern Ninewah province near the Syrian border. A short time later, ground forces moved through the city. Simultaneously, Hawaii-based Soldiers flying two UH-60 Black Hawks inserted Iraqi commandos and Michigan-based infantrymen near the main supply route to prevent vehicles and personnel fleeing the town, Nov.