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NEWS ABOUT: Afghanistan

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Kidnapped Times Reporter Freed in Deadly Rescue

Afghan interpreter, British commando die in operation

(Newser) - A New York Times reporter held hostage by the Taliban in northern Afghanistan was freed today when British troops raided the militants' compound, but his Afghan interpreter and a British commando were killed during the rescue. Stephen Farrell was abducted Saturday while covering the aftermath of the NATO strike on... More »

8 US Troops Killed in Iraq, Afghanistan

(Newser) - It was an unusually bloody day for US troops abroad today, as eight soldiers were killed—four in Iraq and four in Afghanistan. It was the deadliest day for the US in Iraq since troops left the cities earlier this year, reports the BBC. Three soldiers were killed by a... More »

Win in Afghanistan, or We're Doomed

Defeatnik columnists paving path to another 9/11: Stephens

(Newser) - Three big-swinging columnists from the left, right and center—Tom Friedman and Nicholas Kristof of the Times, plus George Will of the Post—have joined the chorus of naysayers on the war in Afghanistan. But if we lose this "relatively easy fight," writes Wall Street Journal columnist Bret... More »

Suicide Bomb Rocks NATO Base at Kabul Airport

At least two civilians dead; foreign troops may also be victims

(Newser) - A suicide bomber blew up his car outside a NATO military base at Afghanistan's main airport today, killing at least two civilians and wounding six others, Reuters reports. Eyewitnesses saw huge flames rising from the airport, which has endured Taliban rocket attacks and suicide bombs in the past. An Afghan... More »

Surge May Be Only Way to Keep US Safe From al-Qaeda

Remote-controlled strikes won't be enough to stop terrorists, say experts

(Newser) - The idea that al-Qaeda could be prevented from regaining a haven in Afghanistan without having American troops in the country is gaining support as the war drags on, but it's unlikely to work, many counterterrorism experts tell the New York Times. Terrorism can't be destroyed by airstrikes or Special Forces... More »

US Troops Stormed Afghan Hospital: Charity

Civilian deaths, intrusive searches prompt rising resentment

(AP) - A Swedish charity today accused American troops of storming through a hospital in central Afghanistan, breaking down doors and tying up staff in a search for militants. Soldiers were said to have forced their way into the charity's hospital without permission, violating the neutrality of a medical facility. The allegation... More »

Karzai Set Up 800 Fake Poll Sites, Say Diplomats

Ten times as many ballots as voters, say Western officials

(Newser) - Hamid Karzai's supporters set up hundreds of fake polling stations that delivered hundreds of thousands of votes to the Afghan president, even though nobody voted there, diplomats tell the New York Times. The incumbent's team created as many as 800 fake sites, existing only on paper. Karzai allies also occupied... More »

Newt: Obama School Speech 'Good for America'

Dean: green jobs czar 'brought down'; CDC chief warns of swine flu challenges

(Newser) - Who says bipartisanship in Washington is dead? Today, top Republicans sided with President Obama on both his planned speech to schoolchildren and his strategy in Afghanistan, Politico reports. On Fox News Sunday, Newt Gingrich called Obama’s Tuesday speech “good for America.” On Afghanistan, Tim Pawlenty rejected calls... More »

Lone Tipster Triggered Afghan Air Strike Decision

Single-source action appears to violate Gen. Stanley McChrystal's orders

(Newser) - A single eye witness was responsible for much of the intelligence guiding the decision to bomb two fuel tankers surrounded by more than 100 Afghanis, including civilians, reports the Washington Post. Dropping the 500-pound bombs based on the word of a single source appears to violate recent directives aimed at... More »

McChrystal Visits Site of Airstrike, Pledges Inquiry

Promises public investigation in televised address

(Newser) - Gen. Stanley McChrystal visited the site of a NATO airstrike today that killed scores of Aghan civilians and made an unprecedented televised address in which he promised a full public inquiry, Reuters reports. “Nothing is more important than the safety and protection of the Afghan people,” said the... More »

Gates Slams AP's Decision to Run Dying Marine's Photo

Agency says it sought to show 'reality of war'

(Newser) - Robert Gates is blasting the Associated Press for transmitting a photo of a dying 21-year-old Marine against his family’s wishes, Politico reports. The defense secretary calls the decision “appalling.” In a letter to Thomas Curley, the AP’s president, Gates asked him to reconsider, citing “common... More »

Kabul Embassy Fires 8 Guards Over Nude Parties

(AP) - The US Embassy in Afghanistan says it has fired eight security guards following allegations of lewd behavior and sexual misconduct at their living quarters. The management team of the private contractor that provides the guards is also "being replaced immediately," officials at the Kabul embassy said today. The... More »

Obama's Top Advisers Split on Afghan Troop Levels

(Newser) - President Obama's advisers are divided over the Pentagon's expected request for more troops to be deployed to Afghanistan, reports the New York Times. Joe Biden is leading the just-say-no camp, arguing that the mission in Pakistan is more important. The opposition includes envoy Richard Holbrooke, who says US troops are... More »

NATO Probes 'Disastrous' Air Strike; 90 Dead

Horrific injuries reported after fireball engulfs villagers

(Newser) - NATO will conduct a "thorough investigation" into the air strike on two Taliban-hijacked fuel tankers in Afghanistan that killed 90 people today, many of them believed to be civilians, the alliance's secretary general said. An investigation team has already been sent to the area as reports trickle in of... More »

Dozens of Afghan Civilians Killed In NATO Tanker Strike

Blast hit Taliban-hijacked fuel tankers, triggering explosion

(Newser) - At least 90 people were killed in northern Afghanistan today when a NATO air strike hit two fuel tankers hijacked by the Taliban, setting off a massive explosion. At least 40 of the dead were civilians, said officials. Many more people are injured, and the local hospital in Kunduz province... More »

Stung by Polls, Obama Plans Health Care Offensive

Prez open to dropping public option

(Newser) - President Obama is heading into autumn with a new strategy in hand: He’s going to get specific on what he wants in health care legislation, reports Politico. He is expected to lay out details in a major address soon, and he will reiterate that he's willing to let the... More »

US to Beef Up Afghanistan Combat Force

Up to 14K fighters swap places with noncombatant troops

(Newser) - The Pentagon will add up to 14,000 combat troops to its Afghanistan force, replacing noncombatant support units with more "trigger-pullers" as casualties continue to climb. With support for the war waning, the Defense Department's "force optimization" plan will not increase the number of US troops, and... More »

Karzai Team Forged All 24K Ballots in 1 District: Charge

Afghan president's campaign allegedly detained tribal leader, closed polls

(Newser) - Tribal leaders in southern Afghanistan make the strongest allegations yet of ballot fraud, telling Dexter Filkins of the New York Times that in their district, "Hamid Karzai's people stuffed all the ballot boxes." Members of the Bariz tribe, who endorsed challenger Abdullah Abdullah, say aides to Karzai's brother—... More »

Taliban Blast Kills Afghan Spy Chief, 22 Others

Insurgents target intelligence official during mosque visit

(AP) - A Taliban suicide bomber at a mosque near Kabul killed 23 people today, including Afghanistan's deputy chief of intelligence. The explosion ripped through a crowd in Laghman province just as officials were leaving the mosque. Two top provincial officials from Laghman were also among the dead, and the blast destroyed... More »

Kristol: George Will Is Wrong on Afghanistan

(Newser) - George Will’s call today to pull US troops out of Afghanistan is tantamount to “urging retreat and accepting defeat,” fellow conservative William Kristol blogs in the Washington Post. Will’s idea to focus mostly on offshore operations and airstrikes "doesn't sound much more engaged than US... More »

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