December 4, 2009 - While the U.S. President, Barack Obama, expected his NATO allies to send some 5,000 soldiers to reinforce the military strength, NATO Secretary General, Anders Fogh Rasmussen, has now guaranteed that more than 7,000 troops will be deployed to "finish the job" in Afghanistan.

At the today meeting of foreign ministers of NATO and other countries participating in ISAF mission (ISAF International Security Assistance), Rasmussen said: "The 44 countries of the ISAF have made clear that they are united in this mission. The nations are backing up their words with deeds. At least 25 countries will send additional troops. And I have been offered about 7,000 and more to come. "

Obama’s Policy Shift on Durban Racism Conference Draws Concern, Criticism.

(CNSNews.com) – When diplomats meet at the United Nations in Geneva on Monday to continue hammering out plans for an international conference on racism in the spring, representatives of the United States will take part for the first time in years.

The major policy shift, announced by the State Department over the weekend, is the strongest indication yet that the Obama administration could end up participating in the Durban Review Conference, also known as “Durban II.”

Doing so would undercut a campaign calling on democracies to boycott the event, which opponents say will be used by Islamic states and their allies to attack Israel, undermine Western counter-terrorism initiatives and endanger free speech.