The historical reference to “Indian Country” presents a complex metaphor. For many Native Americans it signifies home, family, and territory; however, for others the term can refer to colonialism and Native American land under siege. Through the years the term has evolved to apply to contemporary events and has taken on additional and often contradictory meanings.

President Bush marked Easter weekend with a message of thanks for U.S. troops serving overseas.Opposition Democrats say the war in Iraq is distracting from the fight against terrorism in Afghanistan.

The US Defence Department has said it is forbidding Google from filming and depicting in detail its military bases, after officials found precise imagery of a Texas base on the Google Maps website.

A senior U.S. military official says the United States is unlikely to make an attempt to shoot down a falling U.S. spy satellite Wednesday.

Malaria is a constant threat to US military personnel operating in Afghanistan, but some troops may face further risk, as epidemiologists have revealed a significant prevalence of contraindications to the safe use of the anti-malarial drug, mefloquine.

U.S. Navy Admiral Mike Mullen, the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, says militants linked to the Taliban and al-Qaida have found safe haven in Pakistan and represent a threat to both the United States and Pakistan. Admiral Mullen made the remarks after meeting with top government and military officials in Pakistan. VOA correspondent Meredith Buel has details from Islamabad.

The U.S. military says coalition forces have captured an alleged Shi'ite militia leader and three other suspects during a raid south of Baghdad.

At least 121 U.S. soldier committed suicide in 2007 – the whole number rose by 20 percent in comparison to 2006.

U.S. Defense Secretary Robert Gates says he discussed U.S. military policy toward Africa with Irish rock star Bono during a short meeting at his Pentagon office earlier this week. The secretary provided some details of the meeting during a news conference Thursday and VOA's Al Pessin reports from the Pentagon.

U.S. defense and military officials say they want to step up the training of Pakistani forces in the country's fight against a growing insurgency.

The U.S. military says it has carried out a third air assault on a suspected militant stronghold south of Baghdad.

U.S. defense officials made it clear today that while they appreciate the hard work NATO troop-contributing nations are doing in Afghanistan, more counterinsurgency training would help further the allies' success.