The main challenger to Afghan President Hamid Karzai wants the removal of the country's election chief and 200 other staffers of the election commission to ensure a fair runoff election."My trust in becoming a candidate was not to be part of the same government, part of the same deteriorating situation," Abdullah told CNN's John King in an interview broadcast on Sunday's "State of the Union." "Mine was for a change in this country. Mine was for bringing hopes for ...

Afghanistan's president is downplaying accusations of widespread fraud in his country's recent elections, but he's emphasizing the importance of a runoff for the sake of ensuring peace and stability in his nascent and war-torn democracy. NEW YORK (CNN) -- Afghanistan's president is downplaying accusations of widespread fraud in his country's recent elections, but he's emphasizing the importance of a runoff for the sake of ensuring peace and stability in his nascent and war-torn democracy. "We must have a second round," ...

Afghanistan's president is downplaying accusations of widespread fraud in his country's recent elections, but he's emphasizing the importance of a runoff for the sake of ensuring peace and stability in his nascent and war-torn democracy. "We must have a second round," said Hamid Karzai, speaking in a taped and exclusive interview for the Fareed Zakaria GPS show that airs Sunday on CNN. "If we don't do that, we would be insulting democracy. And I pledge to respect the vote ...

Mexican soldiers have captured the second in command of one of the nation's most ruthless drug cartels, the military said. "We must have a second round," said Hamid Karzai, speaking in a taped and exclusive interview for the Fareed Zakaria GPS show that airs Sunday on CNN. "If we don't do that, we would be insulting democracy. And I pledge to respect the vote of the people." In the first interview since a runoff was announced, Karzai said there ...

Voters turned out in heavy numbers Friday in Iran's election. Some lined up before polls opened, and others waited more than three hours under the hot sun to cast their ballots. (CNN) -- Voters turned out in heavy numbers Friday in Iran's election. Some lined up before polls opened, and others waited more than three hours under the hot sun to cast their ballots. Reformist Mir Hossein Moussavi and two other candidates are challenging President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, blamed ...

U.S. Defense Secretary Robert Gates is pushing a 2010 Pentagon budget that reflects major changes in Defense Department priorities. (CNN) -- U.S. Defense Secretary Robert Gates is pushing a 2010 Pentagon budget that reflects major changes in Defense Department priorities. One of the high-profile programs on the chopping block is the Air Force's most expensive fighter, the F-22 Raptor. The proposed budget, unveiled Monday, cuts several traditional big-ticket items while investing in programs designed to bolster the ...

President Obama on Friday called on Europe and the United States to drop negative attitudes toward each other and said "unprecedented coordination" is needed to confront the global economic crisis. (CNN) -- President Obama on Friday called on Europe and the United States to drop negative attitudes toward each other and said "unprecedented coordination" is needed to confront the global economic crisis. Speaking at a town hall meeting in Strasbourg, France, on his first overseas trip as president, Obama said, ...

The Pakistani government recently announced a truce with the Taliban and allowed it to set up Islamic courts in the country's Swat Valley. Reports abound that girls will no longer be allowed to go to school, that brutal beatings are taking place for minor infractions, and the list goes on. NEW YORK (CNN) -- The Pakistani government recently announced a truce with the Taliban and allowed it to set up Islamic courts in the country's Swat Valley. Reports abound that ...