Topic: Stanley McChrystal

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Afghanistan war: Taliban hiding behind civilians in Marjah

Taliban insurgents are holding civilians as hostages in the southern Afghan town of Marjah, say Afghan and NATO intelligence reports.
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.
Cheney gives Obama some credit (sort of) on national security

Former Vice President Cheney applauded Obama for his Afghanistan strategy and acknowledged he 'inherited' a difficult situation with Iran's nuclear program. But those arrows are still flying.
Marjah offensive a test of Obama's broader Afghanistan strategy

Bigger commitment of Afghan forces and closer cooperation with the Karzai government are new elements of the Obama strategy evident in the latest offensive in Marjah.
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.
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.
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.
Marjah offensive: Q&A on why it matters to Afghanistan war

After weeks of publicizing, US troops are set to launch one of the biggest offensives of the Afghanistan war, against the Taliban stronghold of Marjah in Helmand Province. Here’s a briefing on just how important this town is and why NATO gave the Taliban so much advance warning.
NATO officials mull Taliban talks but rule out direct contact

At a security conference in Munich, US and NATO officials says that an Afghanistan plan to negotiate with the Taliban won't include 'direct contact' between the US and the insurgents.
Afghanistan war: US troops' new push into 'heart of darkness'

US soldiers in the Afghanistan war are battling to clear the 'heart of darkness' in Kandahar Province where Taliban chief Mullah Omar used to preach. It's one of many operations gearing up in southern Afghanistan as more foreign troops arrive.
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.
Before London Afghanistan conference, hope for Taliban deals

The US and its NATO allies are moving toward a fund to encourage Taliban members to lay down their arms and work with the Afghanistan government in Kabul. Hamid Karzai is hopeful ahead Thursday's London conference.
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.
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.
General McChrystal: Taliban could be part of solution in Afghanistan

Gen. Stanley McChrystal, the commander of US forces in Afghanistan, told the Financial Times that high-level political negotiations with the Taliban could help bring an end to the conflict.
CIA agents killed in Afghanistan were in Taliban's backyard

Seven CIA agents and five Canadians were killed Wednesday in two separate incidents in Khost and Kandahar. Where they were killed gives an indication of where fighting will be the toughest in Afghanistan – and why.
30,000 more troops to Afghanistan – but how to get them there?

Gen. Duncan McNabb, head of the US Transportation Command, is in the thick of deciding how to get 30,000 additional US troops to Afghanistan, per President Obama’s order. It won’t be easy.
Levin: In Afghanistan, US should focus on training local forces

Sen. Carl Levin cited concerns about stress on the US military as the US decides its next steps in Afghanistan. Levin spoke at a Monitor breakfast Thursday.
Drone aircraft in a stepped-up war in Afghanistan and Pakistan

It will be months before the 30,000 new troops will have gone to war in Afghanistan. But President Obama already has increased attacks by pilotless Predator drone aircraft against Taliban and Al Qaeda militants in Afghanistan and Pakistan's tribal areas.
In Afghanistan war, marines' struggle to recruit locals could delay US exit

In Khan Neshin, near the Pakistan border, recruitment of locals for the Afghanistan war effort is an often frustrating process. Obstacles include candidates' drug use, illiteracy, and fear of the Taliban.
The Monitor's View: What to watch in the Afghanistan war: training the Afghan Army

The US cannot simply emphasize the numbers. It has to focus on quality training for the Afghanistan National Army.
Gen. Stanley McChrystal to Congress: 'We can defeat the Taliban'

At hearings on Capitol Hill Tuesday, Gen. Stanley McChrystal said the US would be able to disable the Taliban to the point where they would no longer threaten the government of Afghanistan.
Mullen to marines: You have two years to turn tide in Afghanistan

Adm. Mike Mullen, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, gave a pep talk to marines at Camp Lejeune Monday, as the Pentagon announced that the first troops of the Afghanistan surge will deploy by the end of the year.
Karl Eikenberry, once a skeptic, backs more Afghanistan troops

At Capitol Hill hearings Tuesday, US Ambassador to Afghanistan Karl Eikenberry and Gen. Stanley McChrystal backed the decision to send 30,000 more US troops there. Eikenberry had earlier told Obama he opposed more Afghanistan troops.
In Pictures: Fighting continues in Afghanistan