NATO General in Afghanistan: Taliban Train in Iran
31 May 2010
, The Associated Press, 30 May 2010
EXCERPT: "The commander of NATO and U.S. forces in Afghanistan said Sunday there is 'clear evidence' that some Taliban fighters have trained in Iran. Gen. Stanley McChrystal told reporters in the Afghan capital that Iran - Afghanistan's western neighbor - has generally assisted the Afghan government in fighting the insurgent...
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Women Worry Peace Jirga Will Harm Rights
31 May 2010
Women Worry Peace Jirga Will Harm Rights, Reuters, 30 May 2010
EXCERPT: "Afghanistan is holding a peace jirga or an assembly of powerful leaders, tribal elders and representatives of civil society to consider plans to open talks with Taliban leaders in an effort to end the nine-year conflict. A possible return of the Taliban has touched off concern about the fate of women who were banned from schools, the work place and public life during...
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US Drone Crew Blamed for Afghan Civilian Deaths
31 May 2010
US Drone Crew Blamed for Afghan Civilian Deaths, ABC News, 29 May 2010
EXCERPT: "U.S. military investigators found that 'inaccurate and unprofessional' reporting by U.S. operators of a Predator drone was responsible for a missile strike that killed 23 Afghan civilians in February, according to a report released Saturday. Release of the scathing report is part of a U.S. effort to counter rising public anger over civilian deaths,...
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Training of Afghan Military, Police Has Improved: NATO
31 May 2010
, The Washington Post, 30 May 2010
EXCERPT: "A U.S. military review in Afghanistan has concluded that the addition of more than 1,000 new U.S. military and NATO troops focused on training has helped stabilize what had been a failing effort to build Afghanistan's security forces, but that persistent attrition problems could still hinder long-term success. U.S. war plans depend...
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Karzai's Delayed Peace Jirga: Any Chance of Success?
28 May 2010
Karzai's Delayed Peace Jirga: Any Chance of Success?, TIME, 27 May 2010
EXCERPT: "Afghan President Hamid Karzai's heavily trumpeted peace jirga ? a proposed grand assembly meant to build national consensus toward a path of reconciliation with the Taliban ? has been delayed for a second time, from a start date of late this week to June 2. The National Consultative Peace Jirga Preparation Commission says the delay merely accounts for logistics...
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Killed Bomb Disposal Expert Wore Standard Armour
28 May 2010
Killed Bomb Disposal Expert Wore Standard Armour, BBC News, 27 May 2010
EXCERPT: "A bomb disposal expert was wearing standard body armour as he tried to defuse a roadside device, an inquest has heard. Capt Daniel Shepherd, 28, from Lincoln, was awarded the George Medal after he was killed in a bomb blast on 20 July 2009. He was working in Afghanistan's Helmand province when he died. The soldier was not wearing full body armour because...
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US Deaths in Afghan War Reach 1,000
28 May 2010
, The Press Association, 28 May 2010
EXCERPT: "The American military death toll in Afghanistan has passed the 1,000 mark at a time when President Barack Obama's strategy to turn back the Taliban is facing its greatest test - an ambitious campaign to win over a disgruntled population in the insurgents' southern heartland. More casualties are expected when the campaign kicks into high gear...
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Asian Conflicts Exact Heavy Civilian Toll in 2009
28 May 2010
, AFP, 27 May 2010
EXCERPT: "Asian conflicts took a brutal toll on civilians in 2009, killing thousands and leaving millions homeless, destitute and often ignored by governments responsible for their misery, Amnesty said Thursday. From Afghanistan and Pakistan to Sri Lanka and the Philippines, civilians caught up in fighting between government forces and insurgents were left to fend for...
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Swat Taliban Chief Mullah Fazlullah Killed in Afghanistan
27 May 2010
Swat Taliban Chief Mullah Fazlullah Killed in Afghanistan Clashes, Sify, 27 May 2010
EXCERPT: "Top Taliban commander Mullah Fazlullah has reportedly been killed in a clash with Afghan security forces near the Pakistan border. Fazlullah, who headed the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan's (TTP) Swat chapter, was killed along with his six close associates in Barg Matal district of Afghanistan's Nuristan province, a top Afghan security...
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US Seeks Bids for Shipping Equipment via Pakistan and Afghanistan
27 May 2010
US Seeks Bids for Shipping Equipment via Pakistan and Afghanistan, DAWN, 27 May 2010
EXCERPT: "The US military is seeking bids from private war contractors to secure and ship massive amounts of US military equipment through sensitive areas of Pakistan into Afghanistan. The equipment is for various US forward operating bases and other facilities. According to the contract solicitation, 'there will be an average of 5,000'...
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