WASHINGTON, Jan. 5 (UPI) -- U.S. Sen. John Kerry's first major trip as chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee will be to Southwest Asia, his office said Monday.

WASHINGTON, Sept. 16 (UPI) -- A bill before the U.S. Senate Tuesday would flaunt the strategic gains of the counterinsurgency campaign in Iraq and its effects on the so-called war on terror.

WASHINGTON, July 29 (UPI) -- Virginia Gov. Tim Kaine Tuesday refused to fuel talk about his chances of running with U.S. Sen. Barack Obama as part of the Democratic presidential ticket.

BERLIN, July 25 (UPI) -- America's NATO allies are crucial in fighting terror in Iraq and Afghanistan as well as easing economic troubles at home, U.S. Sen. Barack Obama said Friday.

Jordan's king in driver's seat ... Wiccan woman stabs self during ceremony ... Woman arrested after alleged peanut attack ... Police: Robber used check for demand note ... Watercooler stories from UPI.

AMMAN, Jordan, July 22 (UPI) -- Jordanian King Abdullah apparently is not above playing chauffeur, ferrying U.S. Democratic hopeful Barack Obama to Amman airport.

AMMAN, Jordan, July 22 (UPI) -- U.S. Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., Tuesday said there will be no change in Washington's commitment to Israel no matter who wins the presidency.

AMMAN, Jordan, July 22 (UPI) -- U.S. Sen. Barack Obama, in Amman, Jordan Tuesday, said it's possible to end the war in Iraq, strengthen the U.S. military and step up operations in Afghanistan.

BAGHDAD, July 21 (UPI) -- Barack Obama met with Iraq's prime minister Monday and an Iraqi official indicated Obama's proposed U.S. troop pullout by 2010 was in an "appropriate" range.