Key Mideast Negotiator To Resign

George Mitchell, the Obama administration’s envoy to the Middle East, will resign from his position next week.

As Envoy, Mitchell was a key player in the stalled peace negotiations between the Israelis and Palestinians.

In a statement, President Obama heralded Mitchell’s “deep commitment to resolving conflict and advancing democracy.”

“He is – by any measure – one of the finest public servants that our nation has ever had,” Obama said. “He took on the toughest job imaginable and worked grueling hours to advance the interests of the United States and the cause of peace.”

In the interim, Mitchell’s deputy, David Hale, will serve as envoy.

The U.S. Has Questioned Bin Laden's Wives

The U.S. government has had the opportunity to question the wives of terrorist leader Osama bin Laden, Colonel Dave Lapan, a Pentagon spokesperson confirms.

Lapan declined to give additional details, but CNN reports that the interview took place in the presence of the Pakistani officials.

The widows involvement in the U.S. raid that killed their husband has changed along with the American government’s narrative of raid. Initially, the U.S. said that bin Laden used one as a human shield, but then reported that she, instead, charged U.S. forces entering the room.

Following the raid on the compound, U.S. forces reportedly moved members of the bin Laden family to a safe location while they detonated a downed helicopter, but did not attempt to take them into U.S. custody.

Bipartisan Collection Of Congressmen Urge Obama To Pull Out Of Afghanistan

A bipartisan collection of Congressmen sent a letter to President Obama Monday urging him to “to bring the formal war in Afghanistan to an end.”

The letter, signed by four Democrats and four Republicans, argues that the recent strike against bin Laden shows that the focus should lie on maintaining intelligence capabilities and a mobile special forces unit rather than a large, standing military presence in the region.

“We can no longer fight this war by the old rules,” the letter states. “This battle requires a nimble and agile force with a capacity for rapid response anywhere in the world.”

The signatures include Representatives Peter Welch (D-Vt.), Rep. Jason Chaffetz (R-Utah), Rep. John Garamendi (D-Calif.), John Campbell (R-Calif.), John Tierney (D-Mass.) and John Duncan (R-Tenn.), Walter Jones (R-N.C.) and Rush Holt (D-N.J.).

Obama Urges Congressional Leaders To Unite Around Bin Laden’s Death

As Congressional leaders from both sides of the aisle applaud the death of terrorist leader Osama bin Laden, President Obama is urging them to apply the country’s sense of unity while shaping policy.

“I know that that unity that we felt on 9/11 has frayed a little bit over the years … but I also know there have been several moments like this during the course of this year that have brought us together as an American family,” Obama said Monday night during the White House’s Congressional Bipartisan Dinner. “Last night was one of those moments.  And so tonight, it is my fervent hope that we can harness some of that unity and some of that pride to confront the many challenges that we still face.”

Obama Heads To Chicago For Oprah Appearance

President Barack Obama will be traveling to his old stomping grounds to tape an episode of the Oprah Winfrey Show at the television program’s Chicago based studio.

According to the White House, the President is making the appearance with the First Lady. All other details related to the episode are being withheld.

White House Press Secretary Jay Carney told reporters Monday that the President is appearing on the show since he considers Winfrey, who is ending the daily program next month, to be a friend.

“Her show is coming to a conclusion of a terrific run … and he looks forward to being on the show with the First Lady,” Carney said.

Obama was in the windy city earlier this month for a series of DNC fundraisers. It’s also the site of his 2012 reelection headquarters.

Following the taping, Obama is scheduled to travel to New York for three fundraisers, but will return to D.C. in the evening.