Buchanan returns from Afghanistan

U.S. Rep. Vern Buchanan, R-Longboat Key, on Feb. 27 returned from a nine-day trip to Afghanistan and other countries. During his trip, which focused on national security, he visited troops from Florida and was briefed on counterterrorism efforts by Army Gen. John Nicholson, the U.S. commander overseeing operations in Afghanistan.  Buchanan said American leadership in the Middle East and Africa is critical in combating radical Islamic terrorism, according to a news release issued by his office.