Obama: My Koran Apology Calmed Tensions

Saying sorry to Afghan President Hamid Karzai for the accidental burning of Korans by US troops helped calm tensions, President Obama says. "We're not out of the woods yet," he told ABC. "But my criteria in any decision I make, getting recommendations from folks who are actually on the ground, is what is going to best protect our folks, and make sure that they can accomplish their mission."

"Everything else—the politics or second guessing of these various decisions—I'm not worried about," Obama said, speaking hours before a formal White House dinner to honor Iraq war veterans. Obama's apology for the Koran-burning angered conservatives, including Newt Gingrich, Sarah Palin and Rick Santorum. (More Afghanistan stories.)