Monday, August 31, 2009

Afghanistan War News Updates -- August 31, 2009

McChrystal (L) commands US and NATO forces in Afghanistan. Photo AFP

Turning Point Looms for the U.S. in Afghanistan -- Time Magazine

Monday marks the end of August, a month with both good and bad news out of Afghanistan — and the approach of a key turning point. Civilian casualties caused by Western attacks have fallen dramatically under a new edict from General Stanley McChrystal barring air strikes that risk innocent deaths (19 killed since July 1, down from 151 in the same period of 2008). That's designed to show the Afghan people that the U.S. military is a force for good in their country. But at the same time, U.S. troop deaths reached 45 in August, making it the deadliest month for American military personnel since the war began 94 months ago. That's due to U.S. forces challenging the Taliban more directly, and the Taliban's stepped-up use of roadside bombs to kill as many Western troops as possible.

Read more ....

More News On Afghanistan

US general: New strategy needed to defeat Taliban -- Yahoo News/AP
U.S. commander: Afghanistan situation serious -- Washington Post/Reuters
Afghanistan strategy not working, US commander McChrystal to tell Obama -- The Guardian
Coalition strategy in Afghanistan failing, admits US -- The Telegraph
Situation in Afghanistan 'serious but achievable' -- CTV
US 'needs fresh Afghan strategy' -- BBC
NATO commander calls for revised Afghan strategy -- AFP
General completes Afghan war review -- Press Association
US general sends Afghan war review to Pentagon -- AP
Commander delivers Afghan review, no word on troops -- Reuters
UK troops blow up damaged helicopter in Afghanistan -- The Guardian
British forces lose Chinook helicopter as it crash-lands in Helmand -- Times Online
British Chinook Helicopter Destroyed in Afghanistan Following Crash -- The Daily Telegraph
Taliban Hits NATO Fuel Convoy -- Washington Times/AP
Royal Marine commando dies and five hurt in bombing -- The Mirror
Anti-Taliban ops claim high toll in Afghanistan -- AFP
Escalating insurgency in Afghanistan's Kunduz province rooted in past -- China View
Taliban Ready if Afghan Government Fails, Analyst Warns -- New York Times
Taliban 'out-governing' Afghan govt -- ABC News (Australia)
US Walks Fine Line in Afghan Vote -- Wall Street Journal
Major Fraud Allegations Top 550 in Afghan Election -- Voice of America
Afghan vote fraud claims mount -- Yahoo News/AFP
Increasing Accounts of Fraud Cloud Afghan Vote -- New York Times
Many Women Stayed Away From the Polls In Afghanistan -- Washington Post
U.S. Applies Colombia Antidrug Lessons to Afghanistan -- ABC News
Making A Profit In Afghanistan -- Strategy Page
Afghanistan is now Obama’s war -- Clive Crook, Financial Times
How to Lose in Afghanistan -- Anthony H. Cordesman, Washington Post opinion.

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