AFGHANISTAN / PAKISTAN ARCHIVE :

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Los Angeles Times, 27 Feb 10, by Mark Magnier and Aimal Yaqubi
Attack in Kabul points to shifting Taliban tactics
'Coordinated bombings that kill 16 in a rich residential district come early Friday as the Afghan weekend begins, helping the assailants set up the attack, while cutting the risk of civilian deaths.'

PBS NewsHour, 26 Feb 10, with Judy Woodruff
Army Sees Marjah Offensive as a Model for Afghan Military Strategy
'After Friday's deadly suicide bombing in Kabul, Judy Woodruff spoke with Gen. Ben Hodges in Kandahar about coalition strategies in the region.'

New York Times, 28 Feb 10, by C. J. Chivers
After Push in Marja, Marines Try to Win Trust
'After the declaration this weekend that the battle for the Taliban enclave of Marja had been won, for the Marines standing behind sandbags and walking patrols, the more complicated work has begun. With it will be a test of the strategy selected by President Obama and the generals now running the Afghan war.'

Washington Post, 20 Feb 10, by Rajiv Chandrasekaran
In Marja, it's war the old-fashioned way
'The fight to pacify this Taliban stronghold in Helmand province is grim and grueling. For all the talk of a modern war -- of Predator drones and satellite-guided bombs and mine-resistant vehicles -- most Marines in this operation have been fighting the old-fashioned way: on foot, with rifle.'

Washington Post, 20 Feb 10, by Joshua Partlow
Military launches Afghanistan intelligence-gathering mission
'Last month, Maj. Gen. Michael T. Flynn, the top U.S. military intelligence officer in Afghanistan, published a scathing critique of the quality of information at his disposal.'

BBC News, 19 Feb 10, by Lyse Doucet
Pakistan's push for new role in Afghanistan
'Afghanistan's punishing war is entering a new phase and Pakistan has made it clear it can and must play a leading role. The sudden significant capture of Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar, second in charge in the Taliban hierarchy, comes at a crucial point. Talk of negotiation is now taking centre stage, a strategy in parallel to a powerful military assault against Taliban strongholds in southern Afghanistan.'

Christian Science Monitor, 18 Feb 10, by Ben Arnoldy
Pakistan arrests more Afghan Taliban. Why the about-face?
'After years of deflecting US pressure to rein in the Afghan Taliban, Pakistan has arrested in rapid succession the group's No. 2 Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar, two shadow provincial governors, and up to nine Al Qaeda-linked militants.'

New York Times, 18 Feb 10, by Scott Shane and Eric Schmitt
In Pakistan Raid, Taliban Chief Was an Extra Prize
'... the full impact of Mullah Baradar’s arrest will play out only in the weeks to come.'

New York Times, 19 Feb 10, by Thom Shanker
Afghan Push Went Beyond Traditional Military Goals
'Perhaps no other feature of the offensive now under way in and around the town, Marja, speaks so clearly to its central characteristic: it is a campaign meant to shift perceptions as much as to alter the military balance, crush an enemy army or seize some vital crossroads.'

New York Times, 19 Feb 10, by Christopher Drew
Drones Play a Growing Role in Afghanistan
'The use of the drones has expanded quickly and virtually unnoticed in Afghanistan, becoming an increasing part of a strategy to reduce civilian casualties.'

Los Angeles Times, 13 Feb 10, by Tony Perry
Marines meet with Afghans to explain offensive, seek support
'For the U.S., the meeting, called a shurra by Afghan custom, was part of a strategy to create a seamless transition between the coordinated attack to rid the community of Taliban fighters and the establishment of at least the beginnings of a branch of the national government from Kabul.'

Christian Science Monitor, 19 Feb 10, by Carol Huang
When things go boom in the night, Pakistanis blame Blackwater
'The US says it doesn't work with the security firm Blackwater in Pakistan, and the Pakistani government insists no Blackwater employees are working in the country. But many Pakistanis doubt those assertions, complicating US efforts to build trust.'

Washington Post, 10 Feb 10, by Rajiv Chandrasekaran
Marines plan joint mission to eject insurgents from last Helmand stronghold
'In the coming days, thousands of U.S. Marines will seek to transform Marja once again. Working in partnership with Afghan soldiers, the Marines are planning a major operation to flush out insurgents and allow the Afghan government to reassert control.'

Christian Science Monitor, 09 Feb 10, by Saeed Shah, McClatchy Newspapers
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.'

Christian Science Monitor, 09 Feb 10, by Ben Arnoldy
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.'

PBS NewsHour, 10 Feb 10, by Larisa Epatko
Amid Violence, Governments Grapple With Taliban Talks
'... U.S. and Afghan officials are trying to develop ways to engage moderate elements of the Taliban to bring an end to the eight-year conflict there.'

Asia Times, 04 Feb 10, by Syed Saleem Shahzad
US fires off new warning in Pakistan
'With its biggest drone attack to date in Pakistan, the United States has sent a clear message of its renewed determination to destroy Taliban and al-Qaeda sanctuaries in the Pakistan and Afghanistan border areas.'

New York Times, 04 Feb 10, by Souad Mekhennet and Richard A. Oppel Jr.
Even Where Pakistani Law Exists, Taliban Find a Porous Border
'The way the Taliban use Pakistan’s tribal areas to launch cross-border attacks inside Afghanistan is perhaps the most contentious issue between Pakistan and the United States. But the problem is hardly contained to Pakistan’s lawless tribal areas.'

PBS NewsHour, 03 Feb 10
Deaths in Pakistan Unmask Once Quiet U.S. Role
'Three U.S. soldiers were killed in Pakistan on Wednesday when a bomb hit the convoy they were riding in. The deaths raised new questions about U.S. involvement in the country.'

Christian Science Monitor, 03 Feb 10, by Ben Arnoldy and Caryle Murphy
Why Karzai needs Saudi Arabia for Taliban talks
'Afghan President Hamid Karzai is visiting Saudi Arabia to seek help convincing the Taliban to join peace talks. Riyadh would lend credibility to the effort, but is wary of getting involved.'

Christian Science Monitor, 01 Feb 10, by Mian Ridge
Q&A: Who else could help in Afghanistan?
'The US and Europe play a leading role in working for Afghanistan's stability. Can the interests of China, India, Iran, Pakistan, and Russia also aid in the nation's success?'

Christian Science Monitor, 01 Feb 10, by Issam Ahmed
Who’s who in the Pakistan Taliban
'New reports surfaced Sunday that Pakistan Taliban leader Hakimullah Mehsud died after a US drone attack Jan. 14. A look at other senior figures in the group.'

New York Times, 01 Feb 10, by C. J. Chivers
As Marines Move In, Taliban Fight a Shadowy War
'Marine operations like this one in mid-January, along with interviews with dozens of Marines, reveal the insurgents’ evolving means of waging an Afghan brand of war, even as more American troops arrive.'

Washington Post, 31 Jan 10, by Joshua Partlow
Afghanistan's corruption poses dilemma for U.S. military
'After eight years of dropping bombs and killing insurgents, the new American military strategy makes explicit the need to fight corruption to build a more legitimate Afghan government.'

New York Times, 28 Jan 10, by John F. Burns and Alan Cowell
Training Afghan Forces Will Take Years, Karzai Says
'As the one-day [international conference on Afghanistan] opened, Mr. Karzai also urged King Abdullah of Saudi Arabia to play a prominent role in overseeing peace efforts. And, he said, peace talks should embrace “all our countrymen, especially our disenchanted brothers who are not part of Al Qaeda or other terrorist networks.”'

New York Times, 27 Jan 10, by Dexter Filkins
Afghan Tribe to Fight Taliban in Return for Aid
'The leaders of one of the largest Pashtun tribes in a Taliban stronghold said Wednesday that they had agreed to support the American-backed government, battle insurgents and burn down the home of any Afghan who harbored Taliban guerrillas.'

Washington Post, 25 Jan 10, by Pamela Constable
Pakistani government, military wary of U.S. overtures
'Despite a string of high-profile visits designed to reassure Pakistan of Washington's commitment, U.S. officials have failed to win over a military and civilian establishment here that remains suspicious of U.S. ties to India and reluctant to plunge into war with Afghan militants who may outlast the U.S. presence.'

BBC News, 28 Jan 10, by Caroline Wyatt
Restraint the new tactic for UK troops in Afghanistan
'As a key summit on the future of Afghanistan starts in London, a shift in emphasis towards protecting civilians has seen British troops employ a new strategy dubbed "courageous restraint".'

Christian Science Monitor, 27 Jan 10, by Tom A. Peter
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.'

The Times (London), 23 Jan 10, by Janine di Giovanni
Courage and comradeship keys to survival for British Army in Sangin
'Their role is changing, from defending themselves against the enemy to being “population-centric”. Which means opening schools — there are currently 41 open in the area, though no girls attend — and clinics. Building up the Government so that it is sustainable is also crucial.'

Financial Times, 22 Jan 10, by Daniel Dombey
Gates sees room for Taliban in Afghan government
'... Mr Gates emphasised that US strategy consisted of turning the tide in the Afghan war so as to convince Taliban leaders to sit down and negotiate.'

New York Times, 21 Jan 10, by Elisabeth Bumiller
Gates Says Pakistan Must Root Out Extremists
'Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates said on Thursday that he expects to tell Pakistani military officials that they must root out all of the extremist groups on their border with Afghanistan and that ignoring “one part of this cancer” threatens their country’s stability.'

BBC News, 21 Jan 10
Pakistan snubs US over new Taliban offensive
'Pakistan's army has said it will launch no new offensives on militants in 2010, as the US defence secretary arrived for talks on combating Taliban fighters.'

Los Angeles Times, 19 Jan 10, by Alex Rodriguez
Daring Taliban attack in Kabul dispels any complacency
'"We used to think this kind of attack was no longer possible in Kabul," says a police official after militants kill five people in two suicide blasts and a lengthy gun battle in the Afghan capital.'

New York Times, 19 Jan 10, by Alissa J. Rubin
After Attack, Afghans Question Motives or See Conspiracies
'Stoic about the assault, convinced that it would happen again and lacking faith in the government’s ability to stop such attacks, those who work near the sites that were attacked were most interested in the question of why the insurgents had not killed more civilians.'

New York Times, 18 Jan 10, by Dexter Filkins
Kabul Attack Shows Resilience of Afghan Militants
'A team of militants launched a spectacular assault at the heart of the Afghan government on Monday, with two men detonating suicide bombs and the rest fighting to the death only 50 yards from the gates of the presidential palace.'

New York Times, 20 Jan 10, by Alissa J. Rubin
Taliban Overhaul Image in Bid to Win Allies
'The Taliban have embarked on a sophisticated information war, using modern media tools as well as some old-fashioned ones, to soften their image and win favor with local Afghans as they try to counter the Americans’ new campaign to win Afghan hearts and minds.'

New York Times, 17 Jan 10, by Rod Nordland and Alissa J. Rubin
Karzai Closing In on Taliban Reconciliation Plan
'The Afghan government will soon unveil a major new plan offering jobs, security, education and other social benefits to Taliban followers who defect, according to the spokesman for President Hamid Karzai.'

New York Times, 18 Jan 10, by Elisabeth Bumiller
Taliban Leaders Unlikely to Accept Offer, Gates Says
'Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates said Monday that there could be a surge of Taliban followers willing to reintegrate with the Afghan government of President Hamid Karzai, but that for now an Afghan government reconciliation with the Taliban leadership was unlikely.'

Washington Post, 19 Jan 10, by Joshua Partlow
Congested border crossing may affect U.S. buildup in Afghanistan
'The pace of President Obama's troop buildup in Afghanistan hinges in part on a narrow, pothole-riddled dirt track that is controlled by a 33-year-old suspected drug lord and by the whims of the Pakistani military.'

Christian Science Monitor, 19 Jan 10, by Tom A. Peter
Afghanistan war: gap grows between US efforts, Afghan expectations
'Many Afghans say the pace of development has not matched the amount of investment. Since 2001, the US has spent more than $39 billion on humanitarian and development projects.'

Washington Post, 20 Jan 10, by Keith B. Richburg
U.S. aid workers find few trained Afghan partners
'... like their military counterparts, the civilian technicians are finding the lack of trained Afghan partners their most difficult challenge. The problem is particularly acute in the remote rural areas, where the Afghan government's presence is virtually nonexistent.'

Christian Science Monitor, 14 Jan 10, by Tom A. Peter
Drone targets Pakistan Taliban chief Hakimullah Mehsud. Is he dead?
'A US drone strike killed at least 10 militants in Pakistan Thursday. A Pakistani security official says Pakistan Taliban chief Hakimullah Mehsud was 'probably' killed.'

New York Times, 13 Jan 10, by Dexter Filkins
U.N. Blames Taliban for Afghan Toll
'Last year was the most lethal for Afghan civilians since the American-led war began here in late 2001, with the Taliban and other insurgent groups causing the vast majority of noncombatant deaths, according to a United Nations survey released Wednesday.'

Christian Science Monitor, 12 Jan 10, by Ben Arnoldy
Afghanistan war worsening but optimism is up, says new poll
'The Afghanistan war has intensified and a fraudulently elected president retaken power, but 70 percent of respondents say the country is moving in the right direction, up 30 points from last year. Some analysts question the jump in positivity.'

Christian Science Monitor, 12 Jan 10, by Ben Arnoldy
How US is tackling opium trade in Afghanistan poppy heartland
'A key plank of the US strategy in Afghanistan is breaking up the opium trade in Helmand Province, as underscored by US Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack’s visit to the region Monday.'

Washington Post, 07 Jan 10, by Colum Lynch
U.N. envoy Eide warns U.S., allies not to ignore civilian goals in Afghanistan
'The top U.N. envoy to Afghanistan on Wednesday delivered a gloomy assessment of the U.S.-led effort to restore stability in the country and warned "we will fail" if the strategy there relies too heavily on military force.'

Washington Post, 05 Jan 10, by Karin Brulliard
Pakistan worried U.S. buildup in Afghanistan will send militants across border
'As 30,000 U.S. troops begin to deploy to Afghanistan, fears are rising in Pakistan that a stepped-up war just over the border could worsen the increasingly bloody struggle with militancy here.'

Washington Post, 05 Jan 10, by Walter Pincus
Attack shows risk of infiltration in Afghanistan
'The deadly incident highlights the risk of infiltration of U.S. facilities and military in Afghanistan as local troops partner with American and coalition forces, and as local contractors are hired to provide security at U.S. forward operating bases.'

New York Times, 04 Jan 10, by Richard A. Oppel Jr., Mark Mazzetti and Souad Mekhennet
Behind Afghan Bombing, an Agent With Many Loyalties
'The suicide bomber who killed seven C.I.A. officers and a Jordanian spy last week was a double agent who was taken onto the base in Afghanistan because the Americans hoped he might be able to deliver top members of Al Qaeda’s network, according to Western government officials.'

Washington Post, 06 Jan 10, by Joby Warrick and Peter Finn
Man who bombed CIA post provided useful intelligence about al-Qaeda
'The Jordanian double agent who staged a suicide attack on a CIA base last week had supplied intelligence agencies with credible leads about al-Qaeda plans to attack targets in Jordan and in Western countries, Jordanian government officials said Tuesday.'

Daily Times (Pakistan), 06 Jan 10
US ‘spy work’ lacking in Afghanistan: NATO official
'Eight years into the war in Afghanistan, the US intelligence community is only “marginally relevant” to the overall mission, focusing too much on the enemy and not enough on civilian life, NATO’s top intelligence official said, calling the US spies ignorant and out of touch with the Afghan people.'

2009 Afghanistan and Pakistan archive
2008 Afghanistan and Pakistan archive
2007 Afghanistan and Pakistan archive

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