Could Foreign Troop Surge Exacerbate Vulnerability?
19 January 2010
Afghanistan: Could Foreign Troop Surge Exacerbate Vulnerability?, IRIN News, 19 January 2010
EXCERPT: "Thousands of fresh foreign troops arrive in Afghanistan this year, but some prominent aid agencies are voicing concerns that this could lead to the intensification of the conflict, with dire humanitarian consequences. The civilian death toll has been mounting, and insecurity, attacks on, and intimidation of, aid agencies have also...
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Corruption Widespread in Afghanistan: UNODC
19 January 2010
Corruption Widespread in Afghanistan, UNODC Survey Says, United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), 19 January 2010
EXCERPT: "Poverty and violence are usually portrayed as the biggest challenges confronting Afghanistan. But ask the Afghans themselves, and you get a different answer: corruption is their biggest worry. A new UNODC survey reveals that an overwhelming 59 per cent of Afghans view public dishonesty as a bigger concern...
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Bagram Detainees Named by US
19 January 2010
, The New York Times, 16 January 2010
EXCERPT: "The American military released the names of 645 detainees held at the main detention center at Bagram Air Base, modifying its long-held position against publicizing detention information and taking a step toward making the system more open. The announcement came as political wrestling over the leadership of the government continued, with the Afghan Parliament...
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Germany Seeks Bipartisan Backing for Afghan Mission
19 January 2010
Germany Seeks Bipartisan Backing for Afghan Mission, Deutsche Welle, 19 January 2010
EXCERPT: "In an interview published on Sunday, January 17, with daily Bild, German Defense Minister Karl-Theodor zu Guttenberg said Merkel's government will be pushing for bipartisan support to continue German troop deployments in Afghanistan. The chancellor is said to have already met with Social Democratic Party (SPD) opposition leader Frank-Walter...
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