Half of the remaining 66,000 troops stationed in Afghanistan will return home by this time next year, President Obama announced, finally ending America's longest war. Read More

After North Korea conducted a nuclear test Monday in defiance of international pressure, it remains to be seen how much sabre-rattling China will tolerate before it confronts its ally to the east. Read More

This picture, captured by Italian photographer Filippo Monteforte on the day Pope Benedict XVI abdicated, seemed to express Almighty shock. NBC's Richard Engel and Chris Jansing reported on the reaction among a notoriously superstitious Italian population. Read More

The President will announce in Tuesday night's State of the Union Address that 34,000 troops - about half the number of forces currently serving in Afghanistan - will leave the country within the year. Read More

President Obama's State of the Union preparations were sidetracked Tuesday morning with news from North Korean state media that the nation had successfully detonated a nuclear device at a test site on the country. Read More

For your enjoyment: Twitter's best cracks at the #ExBenedict news Read More

We’re following the latest developments from Rome Read More

Faux right-wing blowhard Stephen Colbert took the stage, cracked a few jokes, and talked up his older sister... who could wind up at the retreat herself next year. Read More

The Pakistani teen education rights activist will continue her recovery at her family's home temporary home in Birmingham. Malala Yousafzai was shot by Taliban gunmen in October 2012 while riding home on her school bus. Read More

Music had been banned in Afghanistan for years under the Taliban's rule. Read More

The future of nominations for John Brennan and Chuck Hagel now rests with the senate. Read More

John Brennan, President Obama's nominee to lead the CIA, defended the administration's controversial drone policy during his confirmation hearing. "I never believe it's better to kill a terrorist than detain him," the veteran intelligence agent told lawmakers. "We only take such action as a last resort to save lives when it's determined that no other action can be taken." Read More

Expect another tough round of questioning for an Obama Administration nominee Read More

Although the fate of many gun control reforms in Congress is still in jeopardy, a bipartisan group of representatives may have found a bill to agree on. Read More

In response to a new report on torture released by the Open Society’s Justice Initiative , the White House is unequivocally denying that the CIA operates detention facilities without addressing specific allegations found in the report. Read More

Congressman Mike Rogers, R-Mich., called the White House's legal footing on a policy allowing drone strikes on American civilians "solid" and countered a frequent criticism of the Obama administration's drone powers, attesting that "there is oversight." Read More

President Obama will shore up his left-flank this morning Read More

Singer and actress Julie Andrews has added "best-selling author" to her resume. She and her daughter (and co-writer) Emma Walton Hamilton stopped by Andrea Mitchell Reports Tuesday to talk about the latest book in their children's series, The Very Fairy Princess. Read More

Immigration reform takes center stage on Capitol Hill today. Read More

In her first public address after Taliban gunmen tried to kill her in October, Pakistani teen activist Malala Yousafzai reaffirmed her mission to fight for education rights for girls around the world. Read More