Free Republic

US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton yesterday declared Washington's "unshakeable" support for Israel as she heralded a dramatic escalation in the US's involvement in the Middle East. In her first visit to Israel as the US's senior diplomat, Ms Clinton immediately announced that Washington was sending two officials to Damascus for talks with Syria -- closely aligned with Iran and a country with which the previous administration had no official contact.

U.S. Army Sgt. 1st Class John “Smoke” Duggins, 36, a platoon sergeant with Battery B, 2nd Battalion, 319th Airborne Field Artillery Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division, provides security as residents pass through the streets north of the Grey’at neighborhood of Baghdad’s Adhamiyah District, June 28, 2007. U.S. Army photo by Spc. L.B. Edgar Paratroopers Prove Unshakeable in the Face of Adversity Security a priority along with improving essential services. By Spc. L.B. Edgar, 7th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment BAGHDAD, July 2, 2007 — Only one man knew what was coming. From afar he completed the circuit...