Iran is today viewed as a powerful and influential country on the international scene, Iran’s ambassador to Thailand said.

KABUL (Reuters) – Two Italian military intelligence officers kidnapped in Afghanistan were freed on Monday during a raid by NATO-led troops in which nine kidnappers and an Afghan hostage were killed, Italy’s defense minister said.The officers were wounded during the raid to free them in southwestern Farah province and were …

Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice said Sunday that key Arab nations, including Syria, would be invited to President Bush’s planned Mideast peace conference this fall and expressed hope they would attend. Formal invitations haven’t been issued yet but Rice said it “would be natural” for Syria, Saudi Arabia and 10 …