ROBERT BURNS

AP National Security Writer
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Analysis: Outlook for tough Iran sanctions is dim

The Obama administration is shifting the focus of its Iran policy from talk to sanctions, but the prospect of winning early international support for toughened new penalties appears dim.

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Syrian envoy denies aiding insurgency in Iraq

Disputing an assertion by the top U.S. general in Iraq, Syria's ambassador to Washington on Wednesday denied that his government allows foreign fighters to cross the Syrian border into Iraq.

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US announces NKorea nuclear talks

A senior U.S. diplomat will travel to North Korea before year's end to try to pull the Koreans back into international negotiations on nuclear disarmament, the State Department said Tuesday.

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Analysis: For Clinton, tough talk but few results

Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton's tense exchanges with Pakistani civilians and Arab diplomats over a harrowing week of foreign stops exposed the confining limits of her office.

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Clinton: US wants Israel settlement halt 'forever'

Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton defended the U.S. stance toward Israeli settlement building to worried Arab allies on Wednesday, saying Washington does not accept the legitimacy of the West Bank enclaves and wants to see their construction halted "forever."

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Clinton in Cairo to meet with Egyptian leaders

U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton is holding hastily arranged meetings with Egyptian leaders to discuss the stalemate over restarting peace talks between Israel and the Palestinians.

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Clinton urges restraint in push for Mideast peace

U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton on Tuesday urged Arabs and Israelis to set aside their historical differences, avoid inflammatory rhetoric and recommit to attaining a comprehensive peace in the Middle East.

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Clinton lauds Israeli offer to restrict building

U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton is again praising Israel's offer to restrict its building of settlements in Palestinian areas, but says it falls well short of the U.S. desire for a full halt to building.

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Clinton praises Israeli concessions

U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton is praising Israel for "unprecedented" concessions in the interest of restarting peace talks with the Palestinians, but her shuttle diplomacy produced no sign of a breakthrough.

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Clinton in Morocco to meet with Arab leaders

U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton arrived in this North African city early Sunday for a series of meetings with Arab leaders to discuss Middle East peace and other issues.

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Clinton diverts to Egypt for Mideast peace talks

U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton made a hastily arranged stop in the Egyptian capital Tuesday to consult with a longtime Arab ally amid indications of a shifting U.S. strategy for getting Israel and the Palestinians back to peace negotiations.

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Clinton: agreement reached in Honduras

U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton is announcing an agreement to end the presidential crisis in Honduras.

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Clinton to meet Abbas in Abu Dhabi

U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton will travel to the Persian Gulf city of Abu Dhabi to meet Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas as part of a weekend effort to push both Palestinian and Israeli leaders to resume peace talks, a U.S. official said Friday.

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Clinton to meet Abbas, Netanyahu over weekend

U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton will meet Israeli and Palestinian leaders over the weekend to push ahead with flagging efforts to restart peace talks, the State Department said Thursday.

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Clinton to meet Abbas, Netanyahu in Middle East

The State Department says U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton will meet Israeli and Palestinian leaders over the weekend to push ahead with efforts to restart stalled peace talks.

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Pakistanis confront Clinton over drone attacks

U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton faced sharp rebukes from Pakistani audiences Friday, including one woman who accused the U.S. of conducting "executions without trial" in aerial drone strikes. Slapping back, Clinton questioned Pakistan's commitment to fighting terrorists.

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Analysis: US making plans for Iran nuke strategy

The Obama administration is quietly laying the groundwork for long-range strategy that could be used to contain a nuclear-equipped Iran and deter its leaders from using atomic weapons.

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Clinton cites nuke worry; panel fears bio attack

Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton on Wednesday warned of dire consequences from the spread of nuclear weapons, while a special U.S. panel asserted that the more worrisome and urgent threat is terrorists attacking the United States or its allies with biological weapons.

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Analysis: US, Russians divided on how to push Iran

Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton's failure to win Russian support for tougher talk on Iran exposed a divide between the two powers on how best to push Iran into accepting limits on its nuclear ambitions.

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Analysis: US leery of direct talks with NKorea

North Korea's suggestion that it may return to nuclear negotiations could open the way to its first talks with the Obama administration, but there are warning signs that the North has no intention of fully disarming.

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Obama considers range of Afghan war options

President Barack Obama is considering a range of ideas for changing course in Afghanistan, from pulling back to staying put to sending thousands more troops to fight the insurgency.

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Supporters hold vigils for US hikers held in Iran

Family and friends of three U.S. hikers held in Iran gathered for vigils around the country Wednesday, hoping for their quick release but buoyed by news that they're coping with detention.

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Iran will allow Swiss access to detained Americans

Iran has notified the Swiss government that the Swiss can have access to three Americans who have been detained in Iran since being arrested for illegal entry in late July, the State Department said Tuesday.

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Iran will allow Swiss access to detained Americans

U.S. officials said Tuesday Iran has notified the Swiss government that the Swiss can have access to three Americans who have been detained in Iran since being arrested for illegal entry in late July.

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Analysis: US has high ground in Iran talks

The Obama administration has gained the high ground in upcoming talks with Iran, but Tehran — famous for diplomatic stall tactics — will probably leave the Geneva negotiations having bought still more time to pursue its nuclear ambitions.

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