The Role of Medical Diplomacy in Stabilizing Afghanistan
14 May 2008
Donald F. Thompson, '', Center for Technology and National Security Policy / National Defense University, May 2008
EXCERPT: "Comprehensive stabilization and reconstruction of Afghanistan are not possible given the current fragmentation of responsibilities, narrow lines of authorities, and archaic funding mechanisms. Afghans are supportive of U.S. and international efforts, and...
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Taliban Moving At Half Speed This Year
14 May 2008
'Taliban Moving At Half Speed This Year', Strategy Page, 14 May 2008
EXCERPT: "Afghan and security forces waited, and waited, for the Taliban Spring Offensive, but it never came. Gun battles with the Taliban were down 50 percent so far, compared to last year. Roadside bomb attacks were about the same. But Taliban casualties were up, as more Afghan and NATO forces went looking for them. Last year, 8,000 people died in Taliban violence....
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Justice Reform in Afghanistan
14 May 2008
'Justice Reform in Afghanistan', NECN.com, 13 May 2008
EXCERPT: "Last fall, the U.S. State Department announced a Public-Private Partnership for Justice Reform in Afghanistan. The goal is to get America's legal community involved in rebuilding Afghanistan's justice system. Two members of the project's Executive Committee, former Lieutenant Governor of Massachusetts Kerry Healey and Judge David Carter, a U.S. District Court Judge from...
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Refugees Can Resume Returning To Afghanistan From Pakistan: UN
14 May 2008
'Refugees Can Resume Returning To Afghanistan From Pakistan - UN', UN News Centre', 13 May 2008
EXCERPT: "After security concerns prompted the United Nations to suspend assistance to Afghan refugees who are voluntarily returning to their home country from Peshawar in Pakistan, the UN refugee agency announced today that it will reopen its voluntary repatriation centre (VRC) in the city. The UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) suspended...
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Over 360,000 Affected By Reduced Health Services
14 May 2008
'Over 360,000 Affected By Reduced Health Services', Integrated Regional Information Network (IRIN), 14 May 2008
EXCERPT: "The killing and abduction of dozens of health workers in the past two years has prompted officials to shut down at least 36 health facilities in Afghanistan's volatile southern and eastern provinces, depriving hundreds of thousands of people of basic health services, according to the Ministry of Public Health (MoPH)....
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Half Of UK Armed Forces Seriously Under Strength
14 May 2008
'Half Of Armed Forces Seriously Under Strength', The Telegraph, 14 May 2008
EXCERPT: "Nearly half of all Armed Forces units are suffering from "serious or critical weaknesses" as a result of their service in Iraq and Afghanistan. The Ministry of Defence, in its quarterly report, has admitted it was running at well below strength and could not meet its government targets as a result of the continuing pressure of operations. In...
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Pakistan In Taliban Prisoner Swap
14 May 2008
'Pakistan In Taliban Prisoner Swap', BBC News, 14 May 2008
EXCERPT: "Pakistan's army has swapped prisoners with the Taleban and cut troop numbers in a tribal area near Afghanistan. An army spokesman said more than 30 people detained by the military had been freed. Twelve security personnel were released by militants in return. The moves in South Waziristan are part of efforts to end violence in the area. Nato has criticised recent deals...
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Hunger Adds To Afghanistan's Nightmare
14 May 2008
'', International Herald Tribune, 14 May 2008
EXCERPT: "Thieves raided the city flour market in broad daylight a few weeks ago, shooting and wounding two people before escaping with their loot. 'We are not feeling safe,' Haji Hayatullah, one of the flour merchants, said sitting on the floor of his shop with sacks of flour stacked around him. 'We don't have security and we don't trust the government...
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Defense Secretary Urges Military To Prepare For Iraq-Style Wars
14 May 2008
'', The Washington Post, 14 May 2008
EXCERPT: "Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates implored the U.S. military Tuesday [14 May 2008] to prepare more for fighting future wars against insurgents and militias such as those in Iraq and Afghanistan, rather than spending so much time and money preparing for conventional conflicts. In unusually strong language, Gates warned against...
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Help Us Keep Afghanistan Poppy-Free: Afghan Ambassador
14 May 2008
'', The Canadian Press, 14 May 2008
EXCERPT: "Afghanistan's ambassador wants Canada and other members of the international coalition fighting in his country to offer incentives to Afghan farmers as a way to ensure poppy-free regions remain that way. Omar Samad said there are about 20 provinces now in the North, East, Northeast and Central regions of the country that are considered...
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