WASHINGTON, Sept. 2 (UPI) -- Gen. Stanley McChrystal, commander of NATO and U.S. forces in Afghanistan, has just submitted his first assessment of what needs to be done to turn the tide in that battered and war-torn nation long known as the graveyard of empires dating back to Alexander. While classified, that assessment summarizes the situation as "serious but still winnable." That conclusion is sadly reminiscent of the strategic assessment of the Kaiser's senior advisers in Berlin in the early years of the last century as Europe headed toward war.

UPI Almanac for Friday, Jan. 23, 2009.

WASHINGTON, Dec. 9 (UPI) -- U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice had a sit-down with her likely successor, Sen. Hillary Clinton, D-N.Y., during dinner at her home in Washington.

CHICAGO, Dec. 1 (UPI) -- Susan Rice will bring a strong background in the frequently violent geopolitical struggles of Africa to her new post as U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations.

UPI Almanac for Wednesday, Jan. 23, 2008.

MOSCOW, Dec. 17 (UPI) -- The Athens authorities have decided to buy 415 BMP-3 infantry fighting vehicles from Russia.

UPI almanac for Tuesday, Jan. 23, 2007.

Today is Monday, Jan. 23, the 23rd day of 2006 with 342 to follow.

SEOUL, Sept. 23 (UPI) -- Plans are under discussion for Christopher Hill, U.S. envoy to the six-party talks on North Korea, to visit Pyongyang, a South Korean official says. The official said the trip was in the "formulation stage" and Washington had not yet discussed the details