The United States has been cautious in its reaction to Russian President Vladimir Putin's criticisms of its policies. At a conference in Munich on February 10, Putin accused the administration of U.S. President George W. Bush of what he called an "almost uncontained use of military force" that has led other countries to seek nuclear weapons.

NATO Secretary-General Jaap de Hoop Scheffer said in Munich that the alliance expects to defeat most of the Taliban insurgency in Afghanistan within two years.

The White House has rejected Russian President Vladimir Putin's allegations that the United States had made the world a more dangerous place.

U.S. Defense Secretary Robert Gates said today in Munich that NATO countries must work in partnership with Russia on security matters.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel said today in Munich that the international community is united in its determination to prevent Iran from developing a nuclear weapon, and warned the country not to use "tricks" to meet demands to stop its nuclear program.

Russian President Vladimir Putin strongly criticized the United States and other Western countries during a major security conference today.

Political leaders and security experts from some 40 nations open the 43rd Munich Conference on Security Policy today, where German Chancellor Angela Merkel, Russian President Vladimir Putin, and many other policymakers are expected to speak.