Afghan-NATO troops eliminate 7 Taliban militants in S Afghanistan (People’s Daily)
The Afghan National Army backed by the NATO-led International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) wiped out seven insurgents during an operation against Taliban militants in Afghanistan’s restive Helmand province in south Afghanistan, Afghan army commander in the region said on Monday. “The joint forces raided a Taliban hideout in Musa Qala district on Sunday and killed seven rebels,” General Shir …
After Afghanistan conference, an optimistic Karzai (The Christian Science Monitor)
After last week’s Afghanistan conference in London, Afghan President Hamid Karzai returned home optimistic, with money pledged for reconciliation with the Taliban and promises that his government will soon be given control over half of Western aid.
Afghan leader appeals to Taliban to reconcile (USA Today)
Afghanistan’s president appealed to Taliban fight- ers Sunday to lay down their weapons and join the government’s side.
Karzai’s Brother Tied To Corrupt Afghan Land Deals (NPR)
In Afghanistan, the theft of public and private land is a growing form of corruption. President Hamid Karzai has vowed to tackle the vexing issue. But one obstacle to his vision is his own brother, who is allegedly at the center of land grabs in Kandahar province.
Afghan government pursues talks with Taliban leaders (McClatchy Newspapers via Yahoo! News)
KABUL, Afghanistan Despite U.S. misgivings, Afghan President Hamid Karzai will push his initiative for talks with Taliban leaders during a visit to Saudi Arabia this week, and his top adviser on the reconciliation process with the insurgents said in an interview Monday that the country must learn to forgive the extremist group.
MN man helps rebuild Afghanistan agriculture (KVLY – KXJB Fargo)
Paul Kanninen usually lives on the prairie of southwestern Minnesota. This winter, though, he’s high up in the Hindu Kush mountains in Afghanistan, helping rebuild an agricultural sector that’s struggling after decades of war.
Afghan official says talks with Taliban ongoing (AP via Yahoo! News)
The Afghan government is involved in talks with extremist groups on multiple levels, but there is no comprehensive negotiation under way, the Afghan official in charge of reconciliation efforts with the Taliban said Monday.
Afghan leader appeals to Taliban to lay down guns (The Jamaica Observer)
KABUL, Afghanistan (AP) — Afghanistan’s president appealed to Taliban fighters yesterday to lay down their weapons and accept Afghan laws as the government and its international allies push a programme to entice militants away from the insurgency.
Afghanistan’s Karzai asks Taliban to lay down arms (Washington Post)
Afghanistan’s president appealed to Taliban fighters Sunday to lay down their weapons and accept Afghan laws, as the government and its international allies push a program to entice militants away from the insurgency.
Windsor-based customs agent tackles corruption issues in Afghanistan (Windsor Star)
Canada has opened a new front in the war in Afghanistan. Two uniformed Canadian customs officers have been in Kabul since the beginning of the year to mentor Afghan customs officers on revenue collection and drug enforcement and, crucially, to not take bribes.
Two UK Troops Killed In Afghan Blasts (SkyNews via Yahoo! UK & Ireland News)
Two British soldiers have been killed by two roadside explosions in Afghanistan, the Ministry of Defence has said.
