Gates arrives as military prepares Kandahar push (MalaysiaNews.net)
KABUL, Afghanistan | Preparations have begun for a crucial campaign to assert Afghan government control over Kandahar, the so-called “spiritual” home of the Taliban, the top U.S. and NATO commander in…
McChrystal eyes securing Kandahar (MalaysiaNews.net)
Kabul, Afghanistan (CNN) — The top U.S. general in Afghanistan vowed that coalition forces “are absolutely going to secure Kandahar,” as security efforts expand in the country’s south.
Brave Afghanistan soldier picks up Taliban grenade to save two mates (Daily Mirror)
A soldier picked up a Taliban grenade which landed at his feet and hurled it back at the enemy, it was revealed yesterday.
Arrests Throw Afghan Taliban Into Disarray (NPR)
Pakistani security forces have arrested about half of the Afghan Taliban’s leadership over the past few weeks, throwing the group’s leadership into disarray. That could hamper the Taliban’s operations against U.S. and NATO forces in Afghanistan, stall any potential peace negotiations and usher in more hard-line replacements.
Gates: Afghan war’s “decisive phase” looms in Kandahar (Reuters via Yahoo! News)
Secretary of Defense Robert Gates told troops in southern Afghanistan on Tuesday they would soon be part of a “decisive phase” in the war — an operation to impose control over the Taliban heartland of Kandahar province.
British soldier describes throwing Taliban hand grenade back toward enemy in Afghanistan (Sun-Sentinel)
LONDON (AP) A soldier in the British army in Afghanistan has described how he saved the lives of two comrades by picking up a live Taliban grenade and throwing it back toward the enemy.
Gates sees momentum in Afghanistan but plays down prospects for reconciliation (Washington Post)
KABUL — Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates said Monday that recent military offensives against the Taliban in southern Afghanistan had gained momentum but that a reconciliation effort proposed by Afghan President Hamid Karzai was unlikely in the near term to cause senior Taliban leaders to lay down…
