Topic: Ryan Crocker

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US, Afghanistan agree in private to long-term partnership

Without making the details public, US and Afghan officials announced on Sunday that they both endorsed a final draft of a new strategic partnership.
Latest photo scandal: US soldiers pose with dead Afghan insurgents

An American soldier gave the Los Angeles Times 18 photos of US soldiers posing with dead Afghan insurgents. US Ambassador in Afghanistan Ryan Crocker called the actions of these American soldiers "morally repugnant."
Defending Afghanistan: are Afghan forces ready?

An extended occupation and ever-shifting objectives could leave Afghanistan shakier in 2014 than when US-led forces arrived.
Interview: Amb. Ryan Crocker warns against war fatigue in Afghanistan

Ryan Crocker, US ambassador to Afghanistan, sees progress amid an extended 'rough' patch in relations. He also cautions against quitting Afghanistan too soon, citing Al Qaeda. 'If we decide we're tired, ... they'll be back.'
Terrorism & Security
Taliban claim Afghanistan suicide attack, citing 'revenge' for Quran burnings

An Afghan suicide bomber attacked outside the NATO base in Jalalabad today, killing nine people. The attack follows a deadly week of protests over Quran burnings at a US base.
US officials urge 'stay the course' in wake of Afghan violence

As attacks on allied forces in Afghanistan continued Sunday in the wake of Quran burnings, US officials reaffirmed their commitment to preventing Al Qaeda advances.
Quran burning protests rage on, injuring 7 more troops

The US ambassador to Afghanistan admits that 'tensions are running very high here' over the disposal of Qurans in a burn pit at a US military base.
Who's really behind the Kabul attacks?

The Taliban claim responsibility for recent Kabul attacks, but the US pins blame specifically on the Pakistan-based Haqqani network in what some see as a bid to salvage Taliban peace talks.
Terrorism & Security
US ambassador to Afghanistan downplays Kabul attack as security doubts grow

Although Ambassador Crocker downplayed Tuesday's Kabul attack as 'not a very big deal,' they may have undermined US and Afghan assertions that Kabul's security situation is stable.
Backchannels
Afghan life expectancy has improved by 20 years since 2001?

The US ambassador to Afghanistan said so in a recent interview, and it's a stunning statistic if true. But it's probably not.
Backchannels
Afghanistan, the Taliban, and the US deficit

A series of Taliban assaults left at least 22 people dead in southern Afghanistan today, a reminder that as Congress looks for spending cuts, the US remains far from a 'mission accomplished' moment.
Backchannels
Can the US keep Ambassador Ford in Syria after attacks?

Probably for now. But The US has complained that the Syrian government was slow to protect the embassy from the stone-throwing supporters of Bashar al-Assad who invaded.
Pentagon chief Panetta: US within reach of defeating Al Qaeda

On his first trip to Afghanistan as Secretary of Defense, Leon Panetta offered an upbeat assessment. "We're within reach of strategically defeating Al Qaeda," he said.
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.
Obama picks combat-tested Gen. Martin Dempsey to head Joint Chiefs of Staff

President Obama has named Army Gen. Martin Dempsey to be the next chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. Gen. Dempsey joins a reorganized national security team facing many challenges.
Obama's new national security team faces major challenges

President Obama's new national security team, headed by Leon Panetta and General David Petraeus, has a wealth of experience. But it faces major challenges, especially in Afghanistan.
How Leon Panetta could change Washington as next Defense secretary

Leon Panetta, currently CIA director, is a close ally of Vice President Biden. But political realities could prevent him from adopting Mr. Biden's stance on US troops in Afghanistan.
What Obama's security team shakeup could mean for Afghanistan

The loss of America’s top three military and diplomatic leaders at once worries Afghans. But some see the potential for a fresh start with President Karzai.
US 'how to' guide on talking to Iran – in 1979 – emerges from WikiLeaks

A WikiLeaks cable written three months before the takeover of the US Embassy in Tehran is at times insightful and at times sweeping in its condescension about the 'Persian psyche.'
In Iraq, US hands over Tariq Aziz, other Saddam Hussein-era officials

Today the US transferred to Iraq almost all the prisoners it has held in custody for seven years, including Tariq Aziz and other officials in Saddam Hussein's regime that were featured in a "most wanted" deck-of-cards. But some former officials remain in limbo – waiting to be tried in a special court.
As US troops leave, Iraq inches toward a new government

Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki met Tuesday with Ayad Allawi to discuss forming a new government and decide who will be prime minister. But the main Shiite, Sunni, and Kurdish factions are still negotiating.
Envisioning a new Haiti

Outlines of hope emerge from the country's earthquake disaster.
The US should make a U-turn on its approach to Hezbullah

Past efforts to uproot the militant group have failed. Obama must try a different tack and focus on Israel and Lebanon.
Former US ambassador to Iraq reflects on life outside green zone

Ryan Crocker was a major force in helping to turn around Iraq, Presidents Bush and Obama say.
Global News Blog
President Obama lays out his plans for Iraq withdrawal

At Camp Lejeune in North Carolina, he announced that all combat troops would depart by Aug. 31, 2010. Following are the president's prepared remarks.