Afghanistan

Terrorism & Security
Civilian deaths mounting in Marjah offensive

NATO forces said Tuesday that three more civilians had been killed in separate incidents, bringing the total number of Afghan civilians killed since the coalition assault on Marjah began four days ago to at least 15.
Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar: Are other Taliban leaders hiding in Karachi?

The No. 2 Afghan Taliban leader Mullah Abdul Ghani Omar was captured in Karachi, where many Pakistani militants have been reported to be hiding. Police say there are 150 Taliban fighters in the city now.
In Marjah offensive, Afghan forces take the lead

In a dramatic turnaround from this past summer, Afghan forces in the new Marjah offensive outnumber international forces 3 to 2. Efforts to 'Afghanize' the face of the war against the Taliban are seen as key.
Afghanistan war: Marjah battle as tough as Fallujah, say US troops

US and Afghan troops moved towards the center of the Taliban stronghold of Marjah today despite encountering fierce sniper fire and mine fields. Sixty percent of the front-line forces are Afghan troops.
Global News Blog
Marines roll out Assault Breacher Vehicles for Marjah Afghanistan offensive

When Marines rumble into the Taliban stronghold of Marjah in Helmand province for one of the largest offensives of the Afghanistan war, they'll be battle-testing a powerful new weapon, the Assault Breacher Vehicle.
Afghanistan: Peace talks with the Taliban's Gulbuddin Hekmatyar

Gulbuddin Hekmatyar heads the smallest of the three main Taliban nsurgent groups. He is holding tentative peace talks with the government of Afghanistan
Marjah offensive: Afghanistan civilians aren't taking the hint

US forces are poised to move into the southern Afghanistan town of Marjah, and have warned civilians to leave the area. But only a few hundred Afghan families have responded.
Seeking reconciliation, US units meet remote Afghanistan tribes

In Afghanistan, the winter lull in fighting allows some US units to try to persuade fighters to leave the Taliban.
Terrorism & Security
Pakistani Taliban leader Hakimullah Mehsud is dead, say officials

Pakistan’s Interior Minister and a senior intelligence official confirmed Wednesday that Taliban leader Hakimullah Mehsud is dead, though some Taliban officials continue to issue denials.
Afghanistan war: Marjah offensive targets opium capital

The US offensive against the town of Marjah illustrates the link between the Taliban insurgency and the narcotics trade. The Taliban promote and tax the opium business and are allies with the drug lords who organize the distribution and export.
Afghanistan war: US tries to undercut Taliban at tribal level

US and Afghan officials try to persuade some of the 350 tribal leaders in Afghanistan to cooperate against the Taliban. It's not an easy task.
Why Karzai needs Saudi Arabia for Taliban talks

Afghan President Hamid Karzai is visiting Saudi Arabia to seek help convincing the Taliban to join peace talks. Riyadh would lend credibility to the effort, but is wary of getting involved.
Can Saudi Arabia help with Taliban peace talks?

Afghan President Hamid Karzai flew to Saudi Arabia Tuesday to seek help from Saudi Arabia, one of the few governments that hold any potential sway over the Taliban.
To fight deadliest Taliban threat in Afghanistan, US troops go low-tech

To thwart militants in Afghanistan from planting roadside bombs, or IEDs, US soldiers are pleading with locals to alert them to threats. Air surveillance can be too imprecise and approval for airstrikes too slow in coming.
At London Afghanistan conference, a developing script of withdrawal

The leaders of Afghanistan and 70 nations involved in the war and aid efforts there gathered in London on Thursday. New funds were promised for Afghanistan, but crafting a withdrawal strategy was a key part of the agenda.
Karzai reaches out to Taliban at Afghanistan conference

A London conference on the future of Afghanistan opened Thursday with Afghan President Hamid Karzai extending an olive branch to the Taliban and British Prime Minister Gordon Brown declaring a "decisive" moment.
Afghanistan summit: Why is the US backing talks with the Taliban?

Heading into this week's summit of Afghan allies in London, the top US general in Afghanistan said he supported President Hamid Karzai's plan to reach out to the Taliban.
Afghanistan war: Good counterinsurgency, like good politics, is local

In Afghanistan, US soldiers on second or third tours are returning to the same areas, where they already know key tribal leaders and the terrain. The new strategy aims to cultivate relationships within the tribal culture.
What will Afghanistan President Karzai say in London?

Sixty nations convene in London Thursday to discuss Afghanistan's future. Will President Karzai announce plans to bring Taliban into his government? Will he criticize US role in Afghanistan?
Terrorism & Security
Afghanistan war: Why US disappointed by Germany troop levels

Germany announced it would to send up to 850 troops, to Afghanistan, one day after French President Sarkozy said he would send no more troops. The US had hoped for a much larger commitment.
British diplomat named Afghanistan development chief

Seeking to make aid and development spending in Afghanistan more effective, NATO named Mark Sedwill, the British Ambassador to Kabul, its new civilian representative in Afghanistan on Tuesday.
What's behind latest Taliban attack on Kabul?

The latest Taliban attack on Kabul comes amid new Afghanistan government efforts to lure militants away from the insurgency.
Rebuilding Afghanistan: Will government take hold in this post-Taliban town?

District governor Massoud Balouch visited to Khan Neshin in southern Helmand Province of Afghanistan, which is building a new government with help from US Marines and with foreign aid. Getting good leaders in the area has proved difficult.
Afghanistan war worsening but optimism is up, says new poll

The Afghanistan war has intensified and a fraudulently elected president retaken power, but 70 percent of respondents say the country is moving in the right direction, up 30 points from last year. Some analysts question the jump in positivity.
How US is tackling opium trade in Afghanistan poppy heartland

A key plank of the US strategy in Afghanistan is breaking up the opium trade in Helmand Province, as underscored by US Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack’s visit to the region Monday.