Britain Adds Troops In Afghanistan

(NEWSER) - The US is expected to push for more British troops to help fight the Taliban in Afghanistan, a move certain to be unpopular with the British public, reports the Guardian. NATO Gen. Stanley McChrystal will likely recommend to President Obama that the current total of 150,000 Afghan troops should be doubled, which would require more US and British training and support, and that America should boost monetary aid to support the Afghan government. Britain has been pressuring the US to increase financial aid. More»

Will train local forces to fend off Taliban

(AP) - Hundreds of French troops have been deployed to train local infantry battalions in southern Afghanistan to help them fend off Taliban fighters, according to NATO officials. The deployment was one of the largest ground military convoys in the area in years, and came in response to NATO commanders' repeated requests for help in the area. More»

'Green on blue' attacks heighten distrust between sides

(AP) - A man wearing an Afghan army uniform shot dead a US service member in the east of the country, one of two NATO troops killed today, military officials said. NATO didn't officially disclose the nationality of the victim, but a senior US defense official said he was an American soldier. The Taliban took credit for the attack, though the Taliban regularly takes credit for attacks they were not involved in. More»

Attack on Kabul over after 18 hours

(NEWSER) - Yesterday's 18-hour assault on Kabul is finally over after the last gunman was killed this morning, and Afghan President Hamid Karzai said today that the attack proves the "failure" of NATO and intelligence services. In his first statement after the assault, Karzai added that Afghanistan displayed its ability to defend itself using its own security forces, Reuters reports. The fighting claimed the lives of three civilians, eight Afghan security troops, and 36 gunmen. Another 65, including 25 civilians, were hurt. More»

Unknown number dead, wounded in early morning attack

(NEWSER) - A US soldier in southern Afghanistan has been detained after he walked off his base this morning, shooting and killing civilians in the area, reports the New York Times . At least 16 are dead in the rampage, reports the BBC , with many women and children among them. The soldier reportedly suffered a nervous breakdown, and left the base at around 3am by himself and walked into nearby homes, shooting whoever was there. "Eleven members of my family are dead. They are all dead," says one tribal elder. More»