• Afghan blamed for 9 American deaths 'acted alone'

    By Courtney Kube and Jim Miklaszewski , NBC News

    WASHINGTON -- An Air Force investigation has found that an Afghan military officer "acted alone" when he killed eight American airmen and one American contractor last year.

    Investigators concluded that Afghan Maj. Gen. Ahmed Gul simply set out to "kill Americans" when he went on a shooting rampage at the Kabul airport military training center on April 27.

    Without warning, Gul opened fire with a 9mm automatic pistol in a meeting room crowded with Air Force instructors and Afghan military students, killing the nine Americans. Before killing himself with his own weapon, Gul wrote the words, "Allah is one" and "Allah in your name" in blood on a stairwell wall.

    Despite those writings, the report did not find that Gul was an Islamic radical, either working with or influenced by the Taliban. Instead, the investigation found that Gul apparently suffered mental issues that were further compounded by financial problems.

    Those killed in the incident include:

    • Maj. Phillip D. Ambard, 44, of Edmonds Wash.
    • Maj. Jeffrey O. Ausborn, 41, of Gadsden, Ala.
    • Maj. David L. Brodeur, 34, of Auburn, Mass.
    • Master Sgt. Tara R. Brown, 33, of Deltona, Fla.
    • Lt. Col. Frank D. Bryant Jr., 37, of Knoxville, Tenn.
    • Maj. Raymond G. Estelle II, 40, of New Haven Conn.
    • Capt. Nathan J. Nylander, 35, of Hockley, Texas
    • Maj. Charles A. Ransom, 31, of Midlothian, Va.
    • Ret. U.S. Army Lt. Col. James McLaughlin Jr., 55, of Santa Rosa, Calif.

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  • Turkey condemns Perry's 'Islamic terrorists' comments

    By msnbc.com staff and news services

    Turkey's Foreign Ministry released a scathing statement condemning comments by U.S. Republican presidential candidate Rick Perry as "baseless and inappropriate" and said that the United States has no time to waste with candidates "who do not even know their allies."

    Perry, the Texas governor, said Turkey was ruled by "what many would perceive to be Islamic terrorists" and questioned the country's NATO membership.

    In a debate ahead of the South Carolina primaries, he said Turkey was moving "far away from the country that I lived in back in the 1970s as a pilot in the United States Air Force that was our ally, that worked with us."

    He also said that the United States should eliminate all aid to its longtime ally. Perry's candidacy briefly soared when he entered the presidential race in August, but his shine faded after a series of weak debate performances.

    U.S. 'absolutely and fundamentally' disagrees that Turkey is run by 'Islamic terrorists'

    Turkey, which has assisted NATO in Afghanistan and other missions said it has been at the forefront of the fight against terrorism. It said it was "strongly condemning" Perry's words.

    "Turkey joined NATO while the governor was still 2 years old," the statement said. "It is a member that has made important contributions to the trans-Atlantic alliance's conflict-full history. It is among countries that are at the front lines in the fight against terrorism."

    Turkey has been ruled by a government led by pious Muslims since 2002. Although its ties with Israel have deteriorated, the government has maintained a close relationship with the West while seeking to represent the views of the Muslim world.

    In Washington, State Department spokesman Mark Toner said the Obama administration fundamentally disagrees with the assertion that Turkey is run by Islamic terrorists.

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