BREAKING NEWS

US senator presses for details on Iraq security

WASHINGTON — A US senator demanded Wednesday that the State Department tell Congress what role contractors will play in a combat-ready force planned to protect diplomats in Iraq after American military forces leave.
Sen. Claire McCaskill, a Democrat, wanted to know if private contractors will be doing more than upkeep. In a letter sent Wednesday to Patrick Kennedy, the State Department's undersecretary for management, McCaskill asked if contractors will be at the controls of the aircraft and vehicles.