Outside View: Open letter to candidates By NEIL WOLLMAN and ABIGAIL FULLER UPI Outside View Commentators WASHINGTON, May 13 (UPI) -- Thus far, your debate on the war in Iraq -- like the public and media debate -- has focused mainly on the questions of progress in security and political reconciliation, with some limited discussion on the war's effects on the U.S. economy and on our military preparedness elsewhere.

Iraq Press Roundup By HIBA DAWOOD UPI Correspondent NEW YORK, May 13 (UPI) -- The daily Al Sabah newspaper said in its editorial Tuesday that Hezbollah's taking over part of Beirut reminds us of similarities with the situation in Iraq.

Feature: Notes on Iraq By RICHARD TOMKINS FOB NORMANDY, Iraq, May 13 (UPI) -- FOBs and COPs may sound like a new board game or Xbox distraction, but they're acronyms that actually define the lives of U.S. troops here.

Analysis: Cybercrooks get credit card data By SHAUN WATERMAN UPI Homeland and National Security Editor WASHINGTON, May 13 (UPI) -- Three men who hacked into the Dave and Busters restaurant chain and stole its customers' credit card data face federal fraud and conspiracy charges.

Feature: Divisions, al-Qaida leave legacy By RICHARD TOMKINS MUQDADIYA, Iraq, May 12 (UPI) -- Hassan Abbas Mahmoud is an optimist, a desperate man or both.

Atlantic Eye: Of kings and kingmakers By MARC S. ELLENBOGEN UPI International Columnist BLOIS, France, May 12 (UPI) -- Lord Holme of Cheltenham was the former chairman of the British Liberal Party -- a classic European free-market oriented, centrist party. He was chair of the English College Foundation in Prague, where we became friends. To his enemies, he spent 30 years as the phantom behind the scenes, the kingmaker. A member of Global Panel America's Advisory Board, he lost his fight to brain cancer last week.

Homeland security: The week ahead By SHAUN WATERMAN UPI Homeland and National Security Editor WASHINGTON, May 12 (UPI) -- This week the continuing saga of the Democratic primaries means that presidential politics is likely to dominate the news agenda again. But there are some issues and events on the homeland and national security issue list that might make the inside pages.

Analysis: Hezbollah guns mightier than pen By CLAUDE SALHANI UPI Contributing Editor WASHINGTON, May 12 (UPI) -- Lebanon has always been a country that has stood out from the rest of the Middle East for a number of reasons -- primarily because Lebanon consistently has been a country of many contradictions.

Walker's World: Georgia on my mind By MARTIN WALKER UPI Editor Emeritus FRANKFURT, Germany, May 12 (UPI) -- Russia's new leadership is bullying Georgia because the Europeans and Americans are at odds; at risk is the only pipeline from the vast Caspian oil basin that is not under Russia's control.

Analysis: Terror lexicon reveals GOP split By SHAUN WATERMAN UPI Homeland and National Security Editor WASHINGTON, May 12 (UPI) -- The leak of Bush administration guidelines urging U.S. officials to avoid using terms such as "jihadi" or "Islamic terrorists" to refer to al-Qaida and similar groups has exposed a fault line in Republican thinking about the U.S. war on terror.

Iraq Press Roundup By HIBA DAWOOD UPI Correspondent NEW YORK, May 9 (UPI) -- The Kurdish Al Ahali newspaper Friday carried an editorial with the title "Between the official delegations to Iran and the statements from the government's spokesman," by Heval Zakhori.

Dogs of War: Inherently governmental? By DAVID ISENBERG WASHINGTON, May 9 (UPI) -- Amid all the polemics over the use of private military and security contractors by the U.S. government there are two words one rarely sees, but they lie at the very heart of the debate: "inherently governmental."

Iraq Press Roundup By HIBA DAWOOD UPI Correspondent NEW YORK, May 9 (UPI) -- The Sunni Al Mashriq newspaper said Thursday in an editorial titled "The killing of 15 women" that the problem any militia in the world faces is that no matter how politically professional, organized and ideologically mature they are, they still might be accepted by one country and rejected by another.

Analysis: Border force seeks recognition By KUSHAL JEENA UPI Correspondent NEW DELHI, May 9 (UPI) -- An Indian police force that guards the Indo-Tibetan border wants the federal Interior Ministry to give it the same status as other paramilitary security forces.

Atlantic Eye: Hardly a done deal By MARC S. ELLENBOGEN UPI International Columnist PRAGUE, Czech Republic, May 8 (UPI) -- Most Europeans see the U.S. presidential election as a done deal. They are quite surprised. They were convinced that Sen. Hillary Clinton was the sure thing. Now, and they are confused, they are expecting the inevitable: Sen. John McCain as president.

Iraq Press Roundup By HIBA DAWOOD UPI Correspondent NEW YORK, May 7 (UPI) -- Shebab Al Iraq newspaper Wednesday carried an editorial with the headline "Who is responsible for the atrocities in Sadr City?"

U.S. looking into Iraq reconstruction contract requiring Iranian parts By BEN LANDO UPI Editor WASHINGTON, May 7 (UPI) -- U.S. forces are investigating two contracts to build schools in northern Iraq that required bathroom fixtures to be supplied by Iran.

Walker's World: The EU's euro power-grab By MARTIN WALKER UPI Editor Emeritus FRANKFURT, Germany, May 7 (UPI) -- The European Union's commission is celebrating the 10th anniversary of the euro currency with a bid to control the wages and economic strategy of the 27-nation bloc.

Iraq Press Roundup By HIBA DAWOOD UPI Correspondent NEW YORK, May 6 (UPI) -- The Association of Muslim Scholars' Al Basaer newspaper said Tuesday in its editorial that after Iraq was destroyed and hard to fix, officials at the White House called upon Arab countries to send their representatives to Iraq using Iran as a threat.

Feature: U.S., Mehdi Army battle over wall By RICHARD TOMKINS BAGHDAD, May 6 (UPI) -- Gun battles between U.S. troops and Shiite extremists are being fought daily along a stretch of road in Baghdad's Sadr City as militants loyal to anti-American cleric Moqtada Sadr try to stop -- or at least delay -- construction of a concrete barrier that will help curb their ability to fire rockets into Baghdad's International Zone, seat of the Iraqi government.

U.S. officials urged to avoid linking Islam, jihad with terrorism By SHAUN WATERMAN UPI Homeland and National Security Editor WASHINGTON, May 6 (UPI) -- U.S. officials are being advised in internal government documents to avoid referring publicly to al-Qaida and other terrorist groups as Islamic or Muslim, and not to use terms like jihad or mujahedin, which "unintentionally legitimize" terrorism.

Iraq Press Roundup By HIBA DAWOOD UPI Correspondent NEW YORK, May 5 (UPI) -- In its editorial, the daily Al Sabah newspaper highlighted Monday the role neighboring counties should play in improving Iraq's security, leading to an economic, social and political revival.

Atlantic Eye: Surprising pragmatic Danes By MARC S. ELLENBOGEN UPI International Columnist COPENHAGEN, Denmark, May 5 (UPI) -- Danes are the ultimate pragmatists. But behind their manner is a Nordic people as proud and passionate as their history is long.

Analysis: Is MeK still a terrorist group? By CLAUDE SALHANI UPI Contributing Editor WASHINGTON, May 5 (UPI) -- When a group placed on the U.S. terrorist list changes its policy, getting off the list becomes complicated: Such is the case with the Mujahadin-e-Khalq.

Homeland Security: The week ahead By SHAUN WATERMAN UPI Homeland and National Security Editor WASHINGTON, May 5 (UPI) -- Democratic primaries in Indiana and North Carolina Tuesday mean that presidential politics is likely to dominate the news agenda this week. But among all the endless talk of demographics, victory margins and delegate counts, here are a few national and homeland security events and stories that might make the inside pages.

Walker's World: Bye-bye boomers By MARTIN WALKER UPI Editor Emeritus LONDON, May 5 (UPI) -- The victory of Boris Johnson in London's mayoral election represents the emergence of a new generation of politicians into the struggle for power. The baby boomers are starting the long, sad slide into senescence. The generation X-ers are on the march.

Commentary: From riches to rags By ARNAUD DE BORCHGRAVE UPI Editor at Large WASHINGTON, May 5 (UPI) -- Between 40 and 60 nations are either sliding backward or have already collapsed. Globalization has spawned multiple uncertainties.

Iraq Press Roundup By HIBA DAWOOD UPI Correspondent NEW YORK, May 2 (UPI) -- The liberal Al Ahali newspaper said democracy makes the state and the civil society equal.

Iraq Press Roundup By HIBA DAWOOD UPI Correspondent NEW YORK, May 2 (UPI) -- In its editorial Thursday with the title "There will be a day when people will stop speaking," the Iraqi Hezbollah's Al Bayyna newspaper said the people of the southern cities in Iraq, specifically Basra, have had frightening days due to the infighting between Shiite militias and the Iraqi government.

Dogs of War: Insurance? What insurance? By DAVID ISENBERG WASHINGTON, May 2 (UPI) -- Life in Iraq for private military contractors is dangerous. If they get killed their dependents in theory get insurance but there will be no letters from a military commander of the president, commending them for their service to the country. No chaplain shows up at their door to offer consolation.

U.S.-Belarus row escalates after cyberattack, expulsions By SHAUN WATERMAN UPI Homeland and National Security Editor WASHINGTON, May 2 (UPI) -- The U.S. State Department said Thursday it had not yet decided what action, if any, it would take in response to the Belarusian expulsion of U.S. diplomats this week.

Analysis: Maoists eye India's northeast By KUSHAL JEENA UPI Correspondent NEW DELHI, May 1 (UPI) -- Indian intelligence and security agencies are worried over the efforts of Maoist rebels to set up bases in the already restive northeast.

Germany terrorism suspects in Afghanistan By STEFAN NICOLA UPI Germany Correspondent BERLIN, May 1 (UPI) -- Extremists from Germany are traveling to Pakistan and Afghanistan to plot terror attacks.

Iraq Press Roundup By HIBA DAWOOD UPI Correspondent NEW YORK, April 30 (UPI) -- Shabab Al Iraq newspaper carried an editorial Wednesday with the headline "Some of Bremer's deeds in Iraq."

Walker's World: French births soar By MARTIN WALKER UPI Editor Emeritus WASHINGTON, April 30 (UPI) -- France has overtaken Ireland to boast the highest birthrate in Europe, which is bad news for anti-immigrant parties.

Commentary: Wilderness of mirrors By ARNAUD DE BORCHGRAVE UPI Editor at Large WASHINGTON, April 30 (UPI) -- "Every lie contains a truth and every truth contains a lie" is a safe rule of thumb when Shakespeare's powers of observation are applied to the Middle East. With each shake of the kaleidoscope, the configuration of the key players becomes a wilderness of mirrors.

Iraq Press Roundup By HIBA DAWOOD UPI Correspondent NEW YORK, April 29 (UPI) -- Al Zaman newspaper Tuesday addressed issues of financing the U.S. occupation in an editorial titled "U.S. costs are the obstacles of the sixth year."

Analysis: Future of EU-Russia relations By STEFAN NICOLA UPI Germany Correspondent BERLIN, April 29 (UPI) -- The European Union hopes to soon finish weaving the fabric of a new partnership agreement with Russia amid continuing differences with Moscow over energy security and foreign policy.

Mukasey targets global crime kingpins using counter-terror measures By SHAUN WATERMAN UPI Homeland and National Security Editor WASHINGTON, April 29 (UPI) -- U.S. Attorney General Michael Mukasey's new strategy for combating international organized crime will expand the use against its leaders of executive branch tactics already employed against known and suspected terrorists, like watch-listing and asset-freezing.

Iraq Press Roundup By HIBA DAWOOD UPI Correspondent NEW YORK, April 28 (UPI) -- The Association of Muslim Scholars' Al Basaer newspaper said in its editorial Monday, referring to the infighting in Basra and Baghdad, that divisions within the Iraqi government and the turning of friends into enemies will not save the occupier from the great failure.

Feature: Renewed calm in Sadr City By RICHARD TOMKINS UPI Correspondent BAGHDAD, April 28 (UPI) -- Violent clashes in Baghdad's Sadr City between gunmen of the Mehdi Army and U.S. forces and Iraqi Security Forces appears to have dampened, allowing U.S. and Iraqi Army troops to continue outreach efforts in the southern reaches of the volatile district while continuing to mop up Mehdi Army elements.

Analysis: Deterrence or olive branch? By CLAUDE SALHANI UPI Contributing Editor WASHINGTON, April 28 (UPI) -- When Yasser Arafat addressed the United Nations in 1974, he said he came bearing an olive branch and a freedom fighter's gun. Today, nuclear deterrence has replaced the gun.

Walker's World: EU threat to U.K. rescue By MARTIN WALKER UPI Editor Emeritus WASHINGTON, April 28 (UPI) -- In a striking warning of the loss of national sovereignty that comes with EU membership, Britain's $100 billion bailout plan for its banks and mortgage market is threatened with a ban from Brussels.

Iraq Press Roundup By HIBA DAWOOD UPI Correspondent NEW YORK, April 25 (UPI) -- The Supreme Islamic Iraqi Council's al-Adala newspaper had an editorial Friday with the title "Iraq is in the window of challenge."

Outside View: Overcoming nuclear legacy By BENNETT RAMBERG UPI Outside View Commentator LOS ANGELES, April 25 (UPI) -- The failure of Presidents Bush and Putin to move "beyond past strategic principles, which focused on the prospect of mutual annihilation" is unacceptable.

U.S. interrogation of German may strain ties with Berlin By STEFAN NICOLA UPI Germany Correspondent BERLIN, April 25 (UPI) -- Diplomats fear the ongoing detention of a seemingly innocent German terror suspect by U.S. forces in Afghanistan will develop into a major strain on trans-Atlantic relations.

Analysis: Germans spy on Afghan minister By STEFAN NICOLA UPI Germany Correspondent BERLIN, April 25 (UPI) -- Germany's top intelligence official may have to resign because his agency spied on an Afghan government official.

Analysis: Petraeus on Iraq vs. Afghanistan By SHAUN WATERMAN UPI Homeland and National Security Editor WASHINGTON, April 25 (UPI) -- If Gen. David Petraeus is confirmed as commander of U.S. Central Command, his broader responsibilities may force him to reconsider his thinking about U.S. commitments in Iraq in order to properly resource the U.S. effort in Afghanistan, say some analysts and military observers.

Dogs of War: Cost-effective: Myth or fact? By DAVID ISENBERG WASHINGTON, April 25 (UPI) -- If you've heard it once, you've heard it countless times: Governments and corporations turn to private military contractors because it is more cost-effective than using regular military forces. But is it true?

Analysis: India faces new security threats By KUSHAL JEENA UPI Correspondent NEW DELHI, April 24 (UPI) -- An Indian parliamentary standing committee has asked the government to monitor the country's eastern border, saying large-scale illegal migration from Bangladesh and a flourishing counterfeit currency racket are threatening the country's security and economy.