A commentary on an al-Qaida-linked Web site says the U.S. financial crisis is proof that a strategy of damaging America's economy through war works. The extremist Web site also showed support for presidential candidate Sen.

By Michael Cooper and Kate Zernike Governor Sarah Palin of Alaska met her first foreign heads of state as she crisscrossed New York City receiving foreign policy tutorials in advance of her vice presidential debate next week with Senator Joseph Biden Jr., the chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee.

Republican U.S. Sen. John McCain's comments on the Georgia crisis emphasized his foreign policy experience over his likely Democratic opponent, aides said. McCain, the presumptive GOP presidential candidate, condemned Russia's operations in Georgia, even before U.S.

The adviser who prepped U.S. Sen. John McCain for a talk with the president of Georgia had a lobbying contract with the Georgian government, records indicate.

By Brian Knowlton Senator John McCain issued a detailed and forceful denunciation of Russia on Monday, saying that it seemed intent on toppling the Georgian government and that Moscow needed to understand that this would have "severe, long-term negative consequences" for its relations with the West.