Iraq’s leaders today agreed on the agenda for a key political summit called by Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki in a bid to salvage Iraq’s unity government. Vice President Tariq al-Hashimi, a Sunni Arab, said agreement came on the second day of preparatory talks involving some of the country’s most senior …

Afghanistan celebrated its independence from British rule yesterday with a military parade and a colorful display of the country’s national dresses, RFE/RL’s Radio Free Afghanistan reported.

Iraq’s embattled Nouri al-Maliki came to Syria on Monday on his first visit here as prime minister amid efforts to garner neighbors’ support for curbing violence at home.