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BAGHDAD — Iraqi security forces are becoming more capable every day, fighting and dying for their country because the future depends on them, U.S. Central Command’s commander said this week. “I come to the conclusion that Iraqis are fighting and dying for their country, that the government has pledged their sacred honor and their future to making this work,” Army Gen. John Abizaid said in an interview with CNN’s Wolf Blitzer. “Their lives are on the line.” Iraqi forces now number more than 300,000, and while they still have some bad days and challenges to overcome, they are steadily improving,...

NEW YORK (Reuters) - Republicans staged a more effective convention than Democrats because they portrayed President Bush (news - web sites) as a strong leader and combined that theme with effective attacks on his Democratic rival, experts said on Thursday. While both the Republicans and Democrats achieved their goals during their respective conventions, the Democrats focused on introducing Sen. John Kerry (news - web sites) to the nation and convincing people he could be commander-in-chief. The Republicans set their sights much higher. "The Republicans have done a much more proficient job of packaging the whole affair and making sure the...