Topic: Helmand Province

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Leap Year: this day in the history of Feb. 29

We don’t mean to state the obvious, but Feb. 29 happens once every four years (usually) – and leap year is here again. That means a whole day's worth of news will tomorrow be added to this date's comparatively small archive.
In Pictures: Battling the Afghan insurgency
Photos of the Day: Photos of the Day 06/30
Photos of the Day: Photos of the Day 06/22
Photos of the Day: Photos of the Day 06/12

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Two harrowing US military rescues offer haunting portrait of Afghan war

Rescue pilots in Afghanistan describe flying five to 10 combat missions a day, on constant alert. Describing one mission, for which he was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross with Valor last week, Col. Christopher Barnett says: 'It was like the Alamo.'
Pentagon signals 'acute' problems in Afghanistan, even as US cuts forces (+video)

The presence of Al Qaeda and Taliban safe havens in Pakistan remains unresolved – and may be beyond the capacity of the US military to fix, a new report to Congress concludes.
US must focus on Afghanistan heroin trade

With so many Americans trying heroin each year, Congress and Obama must fund long-term efforts to curb poppy growing and the opium trade in Afghanistan, even after the US ends its combat role. This will also curb opium profits funding the Taliban.
Terrorism & Security
Reports: Afghan soldiers complicit in a suicide plot against their own government

The alleged discovery of nearly a dozen suicide vests at the Afghan Ministry of Defense deepens concerns about the loyalty of Afghan security forces, which have already killed 16 coalition troops this year.
First Taliban, now turncoats: Another Afghan soldier opens fire

The killing of two British soldiers at a NATO base in Helmand by an Afghan soldier comes just two weeks after US Staff Sgt. Robert Bales allegedly killed 16 Afghan civilians.
Difference Maker
Dina Fesler opens a unique school in Afghanistan

Dina Fesler went to Afghanistan to learn how to teach U.S. students about the country. Now she's opened a school there.
Keep Calm
Afghan President Karzai's angry ultimatums have parallels in post-colonial Africa

After the massacre of 16 Afghan civilians by a US Army sergeant, Afghan President Karzai told the US to speed up withdrawal. Post-colonial experience from Africa suggests that US departure may not be pretty.
Six UK soldiers believed killed in Afghanistan blast

Six UK soldiers were believed missing and presumed dead after an explosion hit their armored vehicle in southwestern Afghanistan on Tuesday evening.
Leap Year: this day in the history of Feb. 29

We don’t mean to state the obvious, but Feb. 29 happens once every four years (usually) – and leap year is here again. That means a whole day's worth of news will tomorrow be added to this date's comparatively small archive.
Terrorism & Security
How France's threat to pull out of Afghanistan could impact NATO

In a tough day for NATO troops in Afghanistan, a man in an Afghan military uniform kills four French troops and a helicopter accident costs other NATO troops' lives. 
Global News Blog
2011 Reflections: What happened to the US debate on Afghanistan?

Seven Monitor correspondents reflect on the world's hot spots. In this installment, Ben Arnoldy is bothered by silence on the war because, unlike him, US troops can’t choose when to come home.
Road out of Afghanistan: On the ground with US troops in potential final push

The recent battle for the Kajaki Valley in Helmand Province, which ended with few casualties and Taliban fighters in flight, may mark the last major operation for US troops in Afghanistan.
Karzai at loya jirga: Afghanistan is 'a lion' to be respected

Afghanistan's President Hamid Karzai kicked of this week's loya jirga by pointing out both the need for international and US help and the need to make sure Afghans are setting the rules in their own country.
NATO helicopter crash kills 38

NATO helicopter crash: 31 US special operation troops and seven Afghan commandos were killed in a NATO helicopter crash that is being investigated.
In Pictures: Battling the Afghan insurgency
Backchannels
Is Afghanistan safer, or isn't it?

The UN and Petraeus appear to disagree.
After Karzai, who will fill the power void in Kandahar?

Analysts and Afghans worry that the killing of Kandahar powerbroker Ahmad Wali Karzai will destabilize Afghanistan's south, which has seen major security gains this year.
Photos of the Day: Photos of the Day 06/30
Troop exit plan means hard choices for US commanders in Afghanistan

Obama's decision that all 30,000 'surge' forces must leave Afghanistan by end of next summer is not the troop exit plan US military leaders were hoping to hear. What choices confront them?
Photos of the Day: Photos of the Day 06/22
Photos of the Day: Photos of the Day 06/12
Photos of the Day: Photos of the day 06/09
Report: US aid could be destabilizing Afghanistan in the long term

A comprehensive congressional report finds that billions of dollars of US aid could be feeding corruption and establishing programs that will collapse when the US leaves.
Photos of the Day: Photos of the Day 05/08
In Pictures: Dogs of war