Top story: On the eve of a landmark speech by President Obama, Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki gave a televised address that said U.S.-Iraqi relations "have entered a new stage between two equal, sovereign countries." As U.S. forces officially end combat operations, Maliki reassured Iraqis that the government was capable of maintaining security and order in the country. "Our security forces will take the lead in ensuring security and safeguarding the country and removing all threats that the country has to weather, internally or externally."
President Obama will deliver a speech from the Oval Office on Tuesday to mark the U.S. transition to a role assisting the Iraqi government. Vice President Joe Biden also made his sixth trip to Iraq to take part in a ceremony marking the event. White House officials said that Obama's speech would acknowledge the sacrifices of those who had served in Iraq since the 2003 invasion, and call on Iraqis to "step up and take responsibility for security in the country."
With the Iraq draw down going relatively on schedule, analysts suggest that Obama is hoping to draw attention to a bright spot in his administration's foreign policy, amidst the escalation of the war in Afghanistan and the failure to close the Guantanamo Bay detention facility. However, with Iraqi politicians still unable to form a government following its March general elections, some also question whether the Iraqi government is prepared to tackle the many looming problems facing the country.
Petraeus drafts new security guidelines: Gen. David Petraeus, the commanding U.S. general in Afghanistan, finished drafting new security transition guidelines that emphasize the role of Afghan security forces in maintaining stability in the country. The rules call for troops from the NATO-led coalition to be transferred to new missions in Afghanistan, particularly training Afghan forces, after they have stabilized an area.
Asia
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The Obama administration announced new sanctions targeting luxury goods entering North Korea.
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South Korea offered aid to North Korea to repair the damage from floods in its northern areas.
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Burmese junta leader Than Shwe appears not to have stepped down from his military post.
Middle East
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Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas said that he will seek an active U.S. role in direct negotiations with Israel this week.
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Israeli media reported that Palestinian President Abbas and Israeli Defense Minister Ehud Barak met secretly in Amman, Jordan, ahead of this week's talks.
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An Iranian government newspaper referred to French First Lady Carla Bruni as a prostitute after she opposed an Iranian sentence to stone a woman to death for adultery.
Africa
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The South African government increased its offer of a wage increase to its striking public sector workers.
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South Sudan pledged to end the practice of employing child soldiers by the end of the year.
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The three Russian pilots who were kidnapped in Sudan's Darfur region on Sunday were released.
Americas
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Mexican police captured Edgar Valdez, a U.S. citizen and a prominent drug trafficker.
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Chilean workers began drilling the rescue shaft meant to rescue 33 trapped miners.
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Former Cuban President Fidel Castro gave new details about the illness that forced him to relinquish power four years ago.
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Europe
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The unemployment rate in the eurozone remained at 10 percent for a fifth month in a row.
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Wikileaks founder Julian Assange was questioned by Swedish police over allegations that he mistreated a woman.
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Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin disparaged the country's opposition and warned them that they would be beaten if they continued to hold unauthorized protests.
SAFIN HAMED/AFP/Getty Image
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