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AFGHANISTAN

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The Wire

Gates says Afghan surge could happen swiftly

Defense Secretary Robert Gates said any new U.S. forces President Barack Obama sends to Afghanistan could move into the country swiftly, despite logistical hassles that force almost all major deliveries of troops and supplies to go by air. Complete Story...

McCain urges Obama to speed up Afghan decision

U.S. Sen. John McCain predicted success in the Afghan war effort Friday if President Barack Obama makes a decision quickly to send the reinforcements requested by his top commander there.

Afghanistan at a glance

Some basic facts and figures about Afghanistan, where President Hamid Karzai was inaugurated Thursday to a second five-year term:

Analysis: US works with and around Afghan leader

The Obama administration has a simple-sounding strategy for the problem that is Hamid Karzai: Work with him and around him at the same time.

Afghan official said to take bribe for copper deal

A senior Afghan official allegedly took a $20 million bribe to steer a copper mining project to a Chinese company, a glaring example of the claims of corruption clouding the Obama administration's deliberations over expanding the U.S. commitment in Afghanistan.

NATO delays talks on new forces for Afghanistan

NATO says it's waiting for President Barack Obama's decision on additional troops for Afghanistan before it holds a conference on pledging reinforcements.

Obama on ending wars, terror trials and more

Mr. President, thank you — I know we don't have a lot of time, so I want to dive right into this — Afghanistan. When are you going to make your decision?

Fort Carson honors 15 troops killed in Afghanistan

Fifteen soldiers from Fort Carson who were killed in Afghanistan last month will be remembered in two memorial services at the post.

Afghans on hold, awaiting Karzai, Obama decisions

Its protracted presidential election has finally been decided, but Afghanistan is on hold.

Afghan president's brother is lightning rod

He calls himself a wheeler dealer — an old-style power broker who maneuvers through a murky, dangerous world of intelligence, tribal intrigue and, some critics allege, guns and drugs.

Clinton: US will hold Karzai to promises of reform

U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton lauded the newly sworn-in Afghan president for outlining a plan to crack down on corruption in his inaugural speech Thursday, but warned that Washington and the international community would hold him to his promises.

Slovakia to add 250 NATO troops to Afghan mission

Slovakia pledged about 250 extra soldiers Tuesday to the NATO-led force in Afghanistan, the first of what British Prime Minister Gordon Brown said would be a series of international reinforcements.

Suicide bomber kills 16 in western Afghanistan

A suicide bomber killed 16 people and wounded at least 23 others Friday in a busy city square in western Afghanistan, while near Kabul a powerful former warlord narrowly escaped an assassination attempt, officials said.

EU officials question Afghan gov't competence

European Union officials questioned Monday whether Afghan President Hamid Karzai's government can face up to the country's challenges but did not echo a U.S. pledge to withhold civilian aid without more accountability.

Germany to extend Afghanistan mission another year

Germany will extend its mission in Afghanistan for another year, the government said Wednesday, despite the growing unpopularity of the war at home.

South Koreans protest Afghan troop dispatch

About 200 South Koreans rallied Saturday to protest a government plan to send troops to Afghanistan, days ahead of a visit to Seoul by President Barack Obama.

Japan's Hatoyama eyes civilian role in Afghanistan

Japan's Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama says a civilian contribution to security in Afghanistan would be more appropriate for his country than continuing its role in providing Indian Ocean refueling assistance to the United States.

Obama: Aim is to put US on path to end Afghan war

President Barack Obama said Wednesday his upcoming strategy in Afghanistan will "put us on a path towards ending the war" and that his goal is not to pass the conflict on to the next president.

Gates: Obama picking best ideas among many options

Defense Secretary Robert Gates said Thursday that President Barack Obama wants to take the best elements from several options for the next steps in Afghanistan.

Clinton: Specific demands will accompany US help

The United States is limiting its goals in Afghanistan and demanding better accountability from that country's underperforming leader, Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton said Sunday, and she tied additional U.S. civilian help to results from Kabul.

UK's Brown: NATO troop increase for Afghanistan

Britain's prime minister says NATO nations may contribute 5,000 more troops to Afghanistan — offering key backing as the U.S. decides whether to increase troop levels.

NATO chief confident of more Afghan assistance

NATO's secretary-general says he's confident that countries will soon increase their commitment to the alliance's mission in Afghanistan.

Germany to send 100 more troops to Afghanistan

Germany will send more than 100 extra troops to Afghanistan in January, the country's defense minister said Friday.

Official: Obama wants revised Afghan war options

President Barack Obama won't accept any of the Afghanistan war options before him without changes, a senior administration official said, as concerns soar over the ability of the Afghan government to secure its own country one day.

AP source: US envoy objects to troop increase

The U.S. envoy in Afghanistan, a former Army general who once commanded troops in the country, has objected strongly to emerging plans to send tens of thousands of additional forces to the country, a senior U.S. official said Wednesday.

The Vine

The Evidence Is In: Smirking Chimps Outsmart Sneering Intellectuals

Mid-November and President Obama has passed a milestone that virtually all presidents reach at some point – a below 50% approval rating.

Unicef's state of the world's children report 2009: Where is the worst place in the world to grow up?
Source: Guardian Unlimited

Unicef's 2009 state of the world's children report tells us what it's like to grow up in the poorest - and richest - places in the world. Find out which is which• Get the data

Pakistan demands US share Afghan blueprint - Yahoo! News on Yahoo! News
Source: Yahoo! News

To prevent two border crossing by militants new war strategy by the US?

Obama Must Toss the Bums in Treasury Out, End the Wars, and Start Leading
Source: PubRecord.Org

...Having surrounded himself with the very Wall Street con men who set up the crooked game that led to the current financial crisis and economic collapse, and finding that the lousy advice they have been giving him since last January has left the country still mired in deepening  …

Gates: U.S. to look at own role in Afghan graft
Source: msnbc.com

The U.S. will do its part to reduce corruption in Afghanistan by examining its own contracts and projects, Defense Secretary Robert Gates says.

Fred Thompson says the Afghanistan war is lost!
Source: Crooks and Liars

I'm totally against the Afghanistan war, as C&Lers know, and it was lost as soon as Bush and Cheney decided to attack Iraq. Any chance to stabilize that region was lost immediately thereafter.

Suicide bomber kills 13 in busy Afghan square
Source: msnbc.com

A suicide bomber riding a motorcycle killed 13 people, including a police officer, and wounded 30 others Friday in a busy city square in western Afghanistan.

A rejoinder to Dr. Subhash Kapila's article
Source: Asian Tribune

Indian political leaders, writers and media analysts and intelligence agencies are past masters in creating doubts and misgivings between groups, communities, political parties and institutions to fan ethnic and sectarian tensions, political polarization and foment fissiparous te …

Q A: What is Afghanistan's loya jirga; what does it do?
Source: msnbc.com

After his inauguration on Thursday, re-elected Afghan President Hamid Karzai announced he would organize a "loya jirga" -- a large assembly of Afghan leaders.

The Taliban's Unseen Force Multiplier
Source: Opinion-Maker

Even if analysts existed who understood Iran, Afghanistan, Pakistan, India and the other countries of this region, their history, their people and why war and threat of war is a way of life, even if America's "decision makers" knew how ill conceived our policies are, how self def …

DAWN.COM | World | Thirty years on, Mecca mosque siege reverberates
Source: dawn.com

RIYADH: Thirty years ago, as tens of thousands of hajj pilgrims were completing dawn prayers inside Mecca, gunshots pierced the sanctity of the Grand Mosque.

BBC News - Afghan corruption a political obstacle
Source: BBC News

The problem of corruption in Afghanistan was highlighted recently when an international survey placed the country as the second most corrupt in the world. It was beaten only by Somalia.

Americans have thrown the towel as Obama enthusiasm fades
Source: hurriyetdailynews.com

WASHINGTON – The atmosphere is strange in this city. How can I explain this quiescence? I've been to this place many times over the years, but I've never seen Americans this lost and aimless.

Fred Thompson: Afghanistan war "already lost"
Source: Raw Story

Fred Thompson, the actor and former Republican Senator, told listeners of his radio show Thursday that the war in Afghanistan is "already lost," and put the blame on President Barack Obama's delays in making a decision on a troop surge for the war effort.

The war industry's drums are beating
Source: Salon.com

Hurry, hurry. There's no time for thinking; it's time to act. Washington's permanent war lobby has worked itself into a veritable lather. The proper Pentagon press leaks have been made, Op-Eds written, talk show commandos deployed.

Canadian officials discussed torture in 2006 - thestar.com
Source: Toronto Star

OTTAWA – Top Canadian officials discussed in 2006 whether the then-governor of Kandahar was involved in the torture of prisoners and dismissed the concern, The Canadian Press has learned.

Why Is There Always Money For The Latest War?
Source: Crooks and Liars

Gene Lyons in Salon on the myriad forces that insist we can't afford health care, but just as strongly assure us that $6.73 trillion for the war in Afghanistan is perfectly doable. (That's $1 million per soldier, per year.) Go read the whole thing:

'Liberation was just a big lie' - thestar.com
Source: Toronto Star

She sleeps in safe houses, with a rotating squad of bodyguards securing the doors. She goes out only in a billowing burqa. Even her wedding was held in secret.

Why General McChrystal's Plan Will Fail
Source: CounterPunch.org

Strategic Towns By CONN HALLINAN

Analysis: U.S. works with and around Karzai
Source: msnbc.com

The Obama administration has a simple-sounding strategy for the shadow of corruption that surrounds Hamid Karzai: Work with the Afghan leader and around him.

White House: No Afghan Decision Until After Thanksgiving -- News from Antiwar.com
Source: AntiWar.com

Nearly Three Months After Request, Decision Still Isn't Forthcoming

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