The first high-level talks of the year will be held Thursday between U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice and Syria's foreign minister, a U.S. official said. But a substantive meeting between the United States and Iran - another staunch U.S. Mideast foe - appeared less certain.

U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice said that she could address any question from Iran during meetings in Egypt and sought to tone down expectations about talks to stabilize Iraq. Speaking en route to Egypt's Sharm el-Sheikh resort for meetings that include Iran, Baghdad's other neighbors and world powers, Rice ruled out "full-scale negotiations" with Iran's Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki but said she would not avoid an exchange.

Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice claimed "considerable progress" in the global fight against terrorism as she prepared to ask skeptical Arab governments to do more and to underwrite democracy in Iraq.

U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice leaves Washington late Tuesday for Egypt and two critical international meetings on Iraq's future, to be attended by, among others Iran and Syria. U.S. officials do not rule out interaction between Rice and her Iranian and Syrian counterparts. VOA's David Gollust reports from the State Department.

U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice Thursday dismissed as "ludicrous" Russian concerns that a U.S. missile defense plan for Europe would threaten Moscow's nuclear deterrent. Russian President Vladimir Putin says Russia may pull out of a central European arms control treaty over the issue. VOA's David Gollust reports from the State Department.

U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice has urged Iran to take part in a meeting next month in Egypt on how to end the Iraq war. In an interview published in today's "Financial Times," Rice said it would be a "missed opportunity" if Tehran failed to attend.

U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice could be open to direct talks with Iran over its role in Iraq. Speaking at a press conference on April 5, State Department spokesman Sean McCormack said Rice has not ruled out bilateral talks with Iranian Foreign Minister Manuchehr Mottaki on the sidelines of an international conference on Iraq early next month.

Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice pledged continued U.S. political and economic support for Haiti at a meeting Wednesday with the impoverished Caribbean country's prime minister, Jacques-Edouard Alexis. Mr. Alexis reported progress in curbing violence in Haiti. VOA's David Gollust reports from the State Department.

U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice wrapped up a three-day trip to the Middle East with an agreement from Israeli and Palestinian leaders to hold meetings every two weeks. VOA's Jim Teeple reports from Jerusalem, that Secretary Rice also called on Arab states to work towards normalizing relations with Israel.

U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice met Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas and Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert in separate talks Sunday as she continued a quest for what she termed a "common agenda" to move forward on a two-state solution of the Middle East conflict. She'll complete her fourth mission to the region in as many months on Monday with a meeting in Amman with Jordan's King Abdullah and follow-up talks with Israeli and Palestinian leaders.

U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice said she isn't ready to attempt a "big bang" for Middle East peace, but she is assembling a plan to bring Israelis and Palestinians closer to that goal.

U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice has arrived in Egypt, on the first leg of a Middle East tour aimed at putting new life into the Israeli-Palestinian peace process. Rice has said that she hopes to rally more Arab support for peace talks.