PHOENIX, Aug. 17 -- President Obama on Monday defended his administration's new approach to the fierce fighting that rages in Afghanistan, calling it "not only a war worth fighting" but also one that "is fundamental to the defense of our people."

KABUL, Aug. 17 -- One of Afghanistan's most notorious militia commanders took to the campaign trail for President Hamid Karzai on Monday, another sign of Karzai's dependence on Afghanistan's old guard of political musclemen as he seeks reelection this week.

In mid-March, as a White House assessment of the war in Afghanistan was nearing completion, Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates and Adm. Mike Mullen, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, met in a secure Pentagon room for their fortnightly video conference with Gen. David D. McKiernan, the top U.S. commander in Kabul.

KABUL, Aug. 16 -- After failing to show up for the first televised debate of the campaign, President Hamid Karzai took on two rivals Sunday night who described his government as mired in corruption and deficient in bringing jobs and security to Afghanistan.

Late at night, after he gets home from his job managing an Afghan restaurant in Alexandria, Mir Farid Hashimi makes long-distance calls, trying to convince relatives in Afghanistan that despite the hard times there, Hamid Karzai should keep leading the country.

KABUL, Aug. 15 -- A suicide car bombing outside the U.S. military headquarters in Afghanistan's capital Saturday was the most serious indication yet of the Taliban's designs to disrupt Thursday's presidential election through violence.

MIANPOSHTEH, Afghanistan -- U.S. Marines pushing into Afghanistan's southern Helmand province are running up against a skeptical Afghan population heavily influenced by Taliban insurgents, signaling a long campaign ahead.

Marine Sgt. Bill Cahir, 40, a former Washington-based journalist and congressional staffer who joined the Marines after the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, was killed in Afghanistan on Aug. 13, his unit and friends reported. He was an Alexandria resident.

KABUL -- The last time Hamid Karzai ran for president, in 2004, he was clearly America's man in Afghanistan. U.S. military helicopters shuttled him between campaign stops. At his inauguration, Vice President Richard B. Cheney was there to hail the day as a major moment "in the history of human freedom."

The U.S. commander in Afghanistan will not make a specific request for more troops when he submits a review of the situation there in the coming weeks, Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates said Thursday.

Secretary of Defense Robert Gates and Vice Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen James Cartwright speak with reporters at the Pentagon.

Tuesdays coverage of Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff ADM Mike Mullen being inducted into the Naval Postgraduate School Hall of Fame in Monterey, CA.

Brig Gen Walter Givhan, Commander of the Combined Security Transition Command, speaks via satellite with reporters at the Pentagon, providing an update on ongoing development, equipping and training of the Afghan Air Corps.

Pentagon Press Secretary Geoff Morrell speaks with reporters at the Pentagon.

MG Robert Caslen, Commander of Multi-National Division-North, speaks via satellite with reporters at the Pentagon, providing an update on ongoing security operations in Iraq.

COL John Spiszer, Commander, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division, speaks via satellite with reporters at the Pentagon, providing an operational update.

Maj. Gen. Mart de Kruif, Commander of NATOs International Security Assistance Force Regional Command South, speaks via satellite with reporters at the Pentagon, providing an update on ongoing security operations in southern Afghanistan.

GEN Ray Odierno, Commander of Multi-National Forces-Iraq, speaks via satellite with reporters at the Pentagon, providing an update on ongoing security operations in Iraq.

ADM James Stavridis taking command from GEN Bantz Craddock during the U.S. European Command change of command ceremony at Patch Barracks, Stuttgart, Germany. Secretary of Defense Robert Gates and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff ADM Michael Mullen delivers remarks.

ADM Timothy Keating, Commander of United States Pacific Command, delivering remarks regarding Strategy for United States Pacific Command at the Atlantic Council in Washington, DC.