NATO & Afghan Forces Rout Taliban

'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»

As attacks from inside mount, Afghans take precautions

(NEWSER) - Afghanistan's spy agency has a new target: Afghan troops. With attacks on US and Afghan troops by Taliban infiltrators on the rise, the National Directorate of Security is launching an ambitious spying program designed to identify any threats. In addition to the previously reported "special reconnaissance group" that will monitor soldiers who are on leave, the directorate will embed spies in units, monitoring soldiers every step of the way, from recruitment through deployment and beyond, the Wall Street Journal reports. More»

(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»

Coalition, Afghan forces pitch 6-hour battle after insurgent ambush

(NEWSER) - In a sudden new flash of violence in another American battle theater, US-led forces killed 80 Taliban fighters yesterday near a southern Afghanistan town held by insurgents. The battle erupted when Taliban troops ambushed a joint coalition and Afghan army patrol with machine gun and rocket-propelled grenade fire. Coalition forces retaliated with a six-hour ground and air strike, Reuters reports. 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»