Afghan Government Awards Gold, Oil Extraction Deals
14 December 2010
Afghan Government Awards Gold, Oil Extraction Deals, Deutsche Presse-Agentur via Monsters and Critics, 14 December 2010
EXCERPT: "The Afghan government awarded multi-million dollar contracts on gold and oil deposits in northern Afghanistan in a move that is hoped to lead the country towards financial independence. The Ministry of Mines said an Inter-Ministerial Committee approved Monday a multi-million-dollar contract for the exploration...
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Canadians Divided on Afghan Training Mission: Poll
14 December 2010
Canadians Divided on Afghan Training Mission: Poll, The Globe and Mail, 13 December 2010
EXCERPT: "Canadians are divided on the federal government's plan to keep soldiers in a non-combat role in Afghanistan, according to a new opinion poll. The Angus Reid survey found that 48 per cent of respondents support the government's decision while 44 per cent disagree. The Canadian government had planned to pull combat troops out of Afghanistan...
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Jordan Rejects Islamist Fatwa over Afghan War
14 December 2010
, AFP, 13 December 2010
EXCERPT: "The Jordanian government said on Monday that a fatwa issued by the Islamist opposition barring Muslims from assisting US and NATO troops in Afghanistan was 'offensive.' 'The government rejects the fatwa because it is offensive to the significant armed forces' role in providing medical and humanitarian aid to the Afghan people and helping preserve...
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Australia's Afghan Warlord Ally "Plotting with Taliban"
14 December 2010
Warlord Ally "Plotting with Taliban", The Age, 12 December 2010
EXCERPT: "A warlord and key Australian ally in Afghanistan has been accused of conspiring with the Taliban to kill a tribal rival. The allegation, if true, exposes the risk in the army's alliance with warlord Matiullah Khan, whose militiamen have been trained in Australia and serve alongside Australian troops in Oruzgan province. The claim also highlights deadly...
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Killings of Relief Workers Stir Debate on Militarization of Aid
14 December 2010
, The New York Times, 13 December 2010
EXCERPT: "At least 100 relief workers in Afghanistan have been killed so far this year, far more than in any previous year, prompting a debate within humanitarian organizations about whether American military strategy is putting them and the Afghans they serve at unnecessary risk. Most of the victims worked for aid contractors employed by NATO countries,...
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Richard Holbrooke's Death Leaves "Major Void" in Afghan Strategy
14 December 2010
, The Washington Post, 14 December 2010
EXCERPT: "President Obama and his advisers gathered at the White House on Tuesday to review U.S. strategy in Afghanistan, a day after Richard C. Holbrooke, special envoy to the region, died of complications from a torn aorta. His absence leaves a major void in what has always been the most difficult aspect of a high-risk, high-stakes...
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