Afghanistan

British defense secretary criticizes Obama

Seamus Esparza — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 00:22:05 -0600

British support for the war in Afghanistan is waning as lack of results become apparent. Bob Ainsworth blames the lack of support for the war effort among British citizens as a result of Obama’s policies. Lack of direction may lead to a British withdrawal from the coalition.

Karzai pressured to prosecute fifteen officials

Seamus Esparza — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 02:33:50 -0600

Under mounting pressure Hamid Karzai is being urged to prosecute 15 senior appointees in his cabinet. This comes after numerous allegations of corruption and international efforts to clean up the Afghan government. Suspicions of embezzlement and bribery may hurt efforts to stabilize the region.

Afhgan minister denies bribe allegations

Seamus Esparza — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 14:07:14 -0600

The Afghan minister of mines denies that he accepted a bribe of equivalent to 32 million U.S. dollars. The bribe said to come from a large Chinese mining firm is the largest reported today. This is the biggest accusation to date in a region swimming in opportunity for drugs, arms dealers, and other predatory business.

NATO chief promises more forces for Afghanistan

Seamus Esparza — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 02:56:28 -0600

Over the next few week NATO forces will order substantially more troops into Afghanistan. The alliance's secretary general predicts that they will engage in broad counter-insurgent strategy pending President Obama's decision on what course to take.

Clinton: No long term stake in Afghanistan

Seamus Esparza — Sun, 15 Nov 2009 22:23:42 -0600

According to Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, the U.S. has no longer term interests in Afghanistan other than the Taliban. Clinton provided the assurences that once this objective is achieved the U.S. will withdraw.

Lost 14 Months in Afghanistan, Sabi The Dog Returns Home

Michael Santo — Sat, 14 Nov 2009 11:37:28 -0600

As opposed to a dog who welcomes home his soldier, as with Nubs the dog, which we wrote about earlier, Australian Special Forces units are welcoming back Sabi. Sabi was lost during a gun battle in Afghanistan 14 months ago.

Obama rejects military options for Afghanistan

Sandy Smith — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 09:49:33 -0600

President Barack Obama is sending his national security advisers back to the drawing board. According to White House reports, the President has decided to reject all of the options presented him for military deployments in Afghanistan.

Missing Paratrooper's Body Found in Afghan River

Michael Santo — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 10:29:14 -0600

Military officials said Wednesday that body of Benjamin Sherman, 21, of Plymouth, Massachusetts, has been found in a river. Sherman is a paratrooper who went missing since last week in Afghanistan

Afghans Name Karzai Winner As Runoff Cancelled

Michael Santo — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 08:34:13 -0600

Two and 1/2 months after the actual Presidential election, Afghanistan has named incumbent President Hamid Karzai as the winner, after the challenger, former Foreign Minister Abdullah Abdullah, dropped out of a runoff. The runoff had been scheduled after a large number of Karzai ballots had been declared fraudulent.

Afghan election problems, today and tomorrow

Seamus Esparza — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 00:08:53 -0600

Questions surrounding a second attempt at another presidential election arise. With only one choice, Hamid Karzai, left after contender opposition leader Dr. Abdullah Abdullah withdrew there may be no need.

Matthew Hoh, Senior U.S. Official in Afghanistan, Resigns Over War

Michael Santo — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 10:24:16 -0500

As the Obama administration weighs sending more troops into Afghanistan to fight the Taliban, a senior U.S. official has made his thoughts on the U.S. policy in that country known. Matthew Hoh, a key U.S. official in Afghanistan has resigned in protest over U.S. policy in the war-torn country.

Karzai agrees to runoff election in Afghanistan

Sandy Smith — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 09:19:07 -0500

President Hamid Karzai of Afghanistan, bowing to international criticism of this year's presidential election, has agreed to a runoff election between him and his chief opponent on November 7.