Karzai issued a statement saying American and British ambassadors reviewed the contract and agreed it was fair and transparent.

The bill requires details from the administration on the effects of the automatic spending cuts slated to hit Jan. 2.

Iran will not be invited to participate in the new round of international peace talks on Syria, U.S.-Arab League Kofi Annan announced Wednesday. 

One of the staunchest proponents of more forceful U.S. action in Syria warned Wednesday that the escalating crisis risks undermining U.S. ally and NATO member Turkey.

Arizona Sen. John McCain, the top Republican on the Senate Armed Services Committee, made the remarks at the Middle East Institute’s Third Annual Conference on Turkey in Washington. The comments come after Turkey called for an emergency NATO meeting on Tuesday after Syria shot down a Turkish jet, prompting Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan to warn of retaliation if Syrian military forces approach the Turkish border.

“The situation in Syria cries out for U.S. leadership — not just to save Syrian lives, but to support our ally, Turkey, when they need our support the most,” McCain said. “The conflict in Syria is becoming a strategic threat to Turkey. 

Rep. Dutch Ruppersberger (D-Md.) is leaving the House Armed Services Committee to make way for the House’s newest member, Rep. Ron Barber (D-Ariz.).

Ruppersberger departure from the Armed Services panel, which his office confirmed Wednesday, will allow for Barber to join the committee that his onetime boss and predecessor, former Rep. Gabrielle Giffords (D-Ariz.), also served on.

The Armed Services switch was just the latest round of musical chairs that members of Congress frequently plays on congressional committees after elections. With his senior position as ranking member of the House Intelligence Committee, Ruppersberger won’t lose much clout on national security issues without a position on the panel.

“Sequestration” might be classic “inside the Beltway” jargon, but the issue has the potential to have a real impact on the 2012 presidential election if it’s tied to something that has everyone’s attention: jobs.

The Topline: Tuesday’s call from Republicans for a special counsel to investigate the series of national security leaks had a familiar ring to it, as Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) once again accused Attorney General Eric Holder of being unable to remain independent and said the Obama administration should not investigate itself.

This time the tool of choice was a letter from 31 Republican senators to Holder, which urged him to immediately appoint a special counsel.

Top American and Pakistani military leaders are struggling to find common ground on stemming deadly cross-border attacks on U.S. and coalition troops by terror groups based inside Pakistan.

The issue will be at the top of the agenda during a scheduled meeting between Gen. John Allen, the top American commander in Afghanistan, and Pakistani army chief Ashfaq Kayani on Wednesday, according to Reuters.

Graham said Congress would not act to avoid the “stupid” sequestration cuts until workers realized they would lose their jobs.