The U.S. command announced on Wednesday the arrest of an al-Qaida leader it said served as the link between the organization's command in Iraq and Osama bin Laden's inner circle, enabling it to wield considerable influence over the Iraqi group.
The Iraqi government said Turkish artillery and warplanes bombarded areas of northern Iraq on Wednesday. Iraq called on Turkey to stop the military operations and resolve the conflict diplomatically.
Senate Republicans torpedoed legislation Wednesday to force the withdrawal of U.S. combat troops from Iraq, bowing to President Bush's adamant refusal to consider any change in war strategy before September.
Democrats vowed to force votes on Iraq withdrawal plans "again and again" after US Senate Republicans thwarted their latest bid to wrest control of the unpopular war from President George W. Bush.
Democratic leaders on Wednesday abruptly halted consideration of a major Pentagon policy measure, heading off the introduction of competing Iraq plans.
Military contractors will deliver 3,900 new armored vehicles to the Pentagon by the end of the year, and at least 3,500 of the vehicles will go to combat troops in the most dangerous areas of Iraq, military officials said Wednesday.
Scattered mortar attacks, roadside bombs and assassinations killed at least a dozen people in Iraq on Wednesday.
Even as the United States and Iran prepare for talks on Iraq, the two foes seem to be going out of their way to irritate one another. No one, at least not for the past three decades, has accused the two countries of enjoying cordial relations. A meeting of their ambassadors to Iraq apparently is just days away and both nations are stepping up the complaints and allegations.
Divisions over Iraq extended to the presidential campaign during the Senate's all-night debate, with Republican John McCain steadfastly backing President Bush's war strategy as Democratic rivals demanded troop withdrawals.
A majority of the Senate signaled opposition to President Bush's Iraq policy Wednesday but fell short of the 60 votes needed to force a change.