http://www.freerepublic.com/tag/afghanistan/ en-us Mon, 13 Oct 2008 02:28:56 GMT Focus Forum 15 http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2104199/posts British and Afghan forces repulsed an attempt by hundreds of Taleban fighters to attack the provincial capital of Helmand, Lashkar Gah, on Saturday night in the most audacious Taliban attack in the province since 2006. Up to 100 Taleban fighters were killed in a series of airstrikes and firefights around the city outskirts in fighting that began in the early evening as Taleban fighters were concentrating to attack the city of three sides and continued into the early hours of Sunday morning. It was the first time that the Helmand capital has been attacked. The Taleban plan appeared to be... times onilne http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2104199/posts#comment Mon, 13 Oct 2008 02:28:56 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2104108/posts Taliban fighters suffered one of their heaviest defeats on Sunday when scores were killed in Afghanistan's southern province of Helmand. Apache helicopers, flown by Britain's Army Air Corps, and local security forces inflicted the losses when the Taliban attacked the local capital, Lashkar Gah. This was the first time in months that the insurgents had tried launching a frontal assault on a fixed position. These highly risky tactics expose them to the superior firepower of their opponents and had been largely abandoned in favour of hit-and-run strikes and attacks on civilian targets. But Taliban fighters were seen gathering west of... Telegraph UK http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2104108/posts#comment Mon, 13 Oct 2008 00:41:39 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2103821/posts British officials covered up evidence that a Taliban commander killed by special forces in Helmand last year was in fact a Pakistani military officer, according to highly placed Afghan officials. The commander, targeted in a compound in the Sangin valley, was one of six killed in the past year by SAS and SBS forces. When the British soldiers entered the compound they discovered a Pakistani military ID on the body. It was the first physical evidence of covert Pakistani military operations against British forces in Afghanistan even though Islamabad insists it is a close ally in the war against terror. The Times http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2103821/posts#comment Sun, 12 Oct 2008 16:23:01 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2103690/posts KANDAHAR, Afghanistan — Taliban militants launched a surprise attack on a key southern Afghan town, sparking a battle that killed some 60 insurgents, an Afghan official said Sunday. A second clash in the same region killed another 40 militants. Taliban fighters used rockets and other heavy weapons to attack Afghan forces on the outskirts of Lashkar Gah, the capital of Helmand province, said Daud Ahmadi, the spokesman for Helmand's governor. Militants attacked the city from three sides starting just after midnight and were pushed back only after a battle that involved airstrikes, Ahmadi said. Rockets landed in different parts of... fox news http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2103690/posts#comment Sun, 12 Oct 2008 12:12:55 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2103503/posts Robert Gates, the US defence secretary, said last night that Washington could "ultimately" contemplate the idea of negotiating with the Taliban to secure a political settlement in Afghanistan, if the Afghan government were to pursue such talks. In comments that add to the growing sense across Nato that the alliance will never achieve a comprehensive military victory in Afghanistan, Mr Gates said a political settlement with the Taliban was conceivable. Financial Times http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2103503/posts#comment Sun, 12 Oct 2008 01:59:14 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2103431/posts The award-winning photographer Harriet Logan first travelled to Afghanistan in December 1997. Her many encounters with the extraordinary women of the region made a lasting impression upon her and initiated a project that continued for five years. A new exhibition of the work, curated by Julian Stallabrass, will appear at the Independent Photographers Gallery, as part of this year's Brighton Photo Biennial. Logan was commissioned by the Sunday Times magazine to document the lives of Afghan women under Taleban rule. Fifteen months earlier, and after three years of fighting against the mujahideen, the Taleban had taken control of the country.... BBC News http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2103431/posts#comment Sat, 11 Oct 2008 23:53:58 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2102758/posts BAGRAM AIRFIELD, Afghanistan, Oct. 10, 2008 – A new park is setting the stage for progress in one of Afghanistan’s most impoverished areas. A soldier from the New Zealand provincial reconstruction team stands guard while U.S. Army Capt. Eileen Stiffey, Task Force Warrior project purchasing officer, and John Weckera, political advisor to the New Zealand PRT, await access into the Woman’s and Family Park in Afghanistan’s Bamyan province, Sept. 25, 2008. U.S. Army photo  (Click photo for screen-resolution image);high-resolution image available. Bamyan Valley has a rugged beauty unmatched by most of Afghanistan, but it remains one of the poorest and... American Forces Press Service http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2102758/posts#comment Sat, 11 Oct 2008 00:52:14 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-vetscor/2102098/posts Our right to vote was secured by the courage and sacrifice of the brave men and women in our armed forces. Support Mississippi as we join other states in honoring our Veterans with a vote on Election Day. Show your gratitude and respect for a veteran who is special to you. * Click here to request a lapel sticker to wear to the polls in honor of a veteran. (Please indicate the quantity of stickers in the subject field of the email request form.) * I am a veteran and would like to share my story. * Click here to... Mississippi Secretary of State http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-vetscor/2102098/posts#comment Fri, 10 Oct 2008 08:10:45 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2101841/posts BUDAPEST, Hungary, Oct. 9, 2008 – NATO should go after the drug trade in Afghanistan to take away funding for the Taliban and al-Qaida, Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates said here today. NATO defense ministers are discussing counter-narcotics operations in Afghanistan aimed at drug lords and drug laboratories, and a range of opinions has emerged, he said. Some countries have concerns that getting involved in a counter-narcotics mission in any way violates the NATO International Security Assistance Force mandate in the country, Gates said. “My approach was … we’re not talking about a counter-narcotics strategy – that really is the... American Forces Press Service http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2101841/posts#comment Fri, 10 Oct 2008 00:22:38 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2101835/posts WASHINGTON, Oct. 9, 2008 – Afghan national security forces and coalition forces killed numerous militants and detained two others in operations yesterday, military officials reported. In the Shaheed Hasas district of Oruzgan province, a combined Afghan-coalition force killed 12 militants during a combat security patrol. The forces were attacked by militants with small-arms, mortar and rocket-propelled grenade fire. Afghan and coalition forces responded to the attack with small-arms, RPG and supporting fires, killing 12 militants. Local Afghan villagers told Afghan and coalition forces that militant fire killed 10 Afghan civilians in a nearby village. Militant fire also injured three women... American Forces Press Service http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2101835/posts#comment Fri, 10 Oct 2008 00:16:50 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2101822/posts WASHINGTON, Oct. 9, 2008 – The changing situation in Afghanistan, particularly increased violence along the Afghan-Pakistan border, warrants a full review of U.S. strategy there to broaden its scope and improve interagency coordination, the top U.S. military officer said yesterday. Navy Adm. Mike Mullen, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, noted the increased sophistication of al-Qaida and Taliban operatives in the border region during a podcast interview with the Pentagon Channel. Mullen shared concerns expressed by Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates, Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice and others that the border region has become a safe haven for insurgents.... American Forces Press Service http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2101822/posts#comment Thu, 9 Oct 2008 23:58:38 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2101813/posts KABUL, Afghanistan, Oct. 9, 2008 – Afghan national security forces will receive a huge capability and mobility boost throughout the next year with more than 6,000 up-armored vehicles and more than 75,000 M-16 rifles from Combined Security Transition Command Afghanistan. Servicemembers assigned to Combined Security Transition Command Afghanistan's armored vehicle fielding team stand in front of more than 300 vehicles that will be issued to the Afghan national security forces, Oct. 5, 2008. During the next year, more than 6,000 vehicles will be issued throughout the country. U.S. Navy photo by Petty Officer 1st Class Shawn Graham  (Click photo for... American Forces Press Service http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2101813/posts#comment Thu, 9 Oct 2008 23:49:19 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2101796/posts BUDAPEST, Hungary, Oct. 9, 2008 – Meetings with NATO and troop-contributing nations making up the alliance’s International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan will help chart the way ahead in the troubled nation, Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates said here today. Gates is participating in a NATO defense ministers conference. Among the day’s highlights was a ceremony in Kossuth Square to welcome home soldiers from Hungary, Bulgaria, Croatia and Slovakia from service in Afghanistan. The 240 soldiers served under Hungarian command in the provincial reconstruction team at Pol-e-Khomri. NATO Secretary General Jaap de Hoop Scheffer called the NATO operation in Afghanistan... American Forces Press Service http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2101796/posts#comment Thu, 9 Oct 2008 23:16:53 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2101372/posts U.S.-led coalition troops killed 21 militants in two separate clashes in southern Afghanistan, while insurgents killed 10 civilians in the same area, the U.S. military said Thursday. Coalition troops on a security patrol Wednesday in the Shaheed Hasas district of Uruzgan province repelled an ambush by insurgents, killing 12 militants, the U.S. military said in a statement. There were no coalition casualties. SF Gate http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2101372/posts#comment Thu, 9 Oct 2008 15:01:57 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2100942/posts WASHINGTON, Oct. 8, 2008 – As a follow-on investigation into an operation by Afghan National Army and U.S. forces in western Afghanistan that claimed civilian lives nears completion, a senior defense official here emphasized the U.S. military’s strong record of accountability and follow-through. “No other military in the world goes to a greater extent to prevent civilian casualties,” said Bryan Whitman, deputy assistant secretary of defense for public affairs. “This is something that we take very seriously, and when we have allegations of loss of innocent life, we investigate it.” At issue is an Aug. 22 air strike against... American Forces Press Service http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2100942/posts#comment Thu, 9 Oct 2008 00:38:37 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2100936/posts BAGRAM AIRFIELD, Afghanistan , Oct. 8, 2008 – The men and women of the provincial reconstruction team in Afghanistan’s Farah province work with local residents to make life better in one of the country’s most austere regions. Army 1st Lt. Edward Dudick, Pennsylvania Army National Guard, provides overwatch protection in the village of Khormelq during a meeting between village elders and Gov. Azadi Roohul Amin in Afghanistan’s Farah province. U.S. Air Force photo by Lt. Col. Leslie Pratt, American Forces Network Afghanistan  (Click photo for screen-resolution image);high-resolution image available. Farah is no stranger to the destructive ravages of war. After... American Forces Press Service http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2100936/posts#comment Thu, 9 Oct 2008 00:33:17 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2100921/posts WASHINGTON, Oct. 8, 2008 – Army Sgt. Gregory S. Ruske is quick to call himself an ordinary soldier, but later this month the Army Reserve will single him out for extraordinary heroism in Afghanistan that earned him the Silver Star medal. Army Sgt. Gregory S. Ruske will become the fourth Army Reservist to receive the Silver Star for heroism demonstrated after he and his fellow soldiers were ambushed in Afghanistan’s Kapisa province April 21, 2008. U.S. Army photo  (Click photo for screen-resolution image);high-resolution image available. The 28-year-old Colorado Springs, Colo., native will become the fourth Army reservist to receive the... American Forces Press Service http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2100921/posts#comment Thu, 9 Oct 2008 00:24:23 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2100916/posts LAKE OHRID, Macedonia, Oct. 8, 2008 – Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates today called on southeastern European nations to consider helping the military training effort in Afghanistan. Here for a regional defense ministers conference, Gates also met today with Macedonian President Branko Crvenkovski, Prime Minister Nikola Gruevski and Defense Minister Zoran Konjanovski to discuss the nation’s NATO aspirations, Macedonia’s role in peacekeeping operations and bilateral cooperation. Gates thanked the Macedonians for hosting the conference and thanked all the nations who have deployed forces to Iraq and Afghanistan. “As the situation in Iraq continues to improve, I urge you to consider... American Forces Press Service http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2100916/posts#comment Thu, 9 Oct 2008 00:18:39 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-bloggers/2100898/posts I wasted another evening on Tuesday watching one of the media events ignorant journalists insist on misrepresenting as debates. The candidates repeated the same cliches they used in their first debate. Once again Sen. Barack Obama demonstrated that he is dangerously ignorant in the area of foreign policy and the War on Terror. Once again journalists ignored his mistake. Obama. is apparently incapable of understanding the fact that sending military forces into another country without permission is an invasion. It doesn't matter why the troops enter the country, it is still an act of war. The fact that Osama bin... Reasonmclucus http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-bloggers/2100898/posts#comment Wed, 8 Oct 2008 23:48:35 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2100460/posts Can the war in Afghanistan be won? It depends on whom you ask. The senior British commander in Afghanistan recently was quoted in The Times of London, "This war cannot be won." A French diplomatic dispatch reports that the British ambassador said the best solution would be to find an "acceptable dictator" to take over the troubled country. But the British soldiers with whom I was recently embedded in Helmand Province had very high morale and felt optimistic about Afghanistan. And British and American officers whose judgment and honesty I trust share that optimism, even acknowledging the difficult challenges they... The Daily News http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2100460/posts#comment Wed, 8 Oct 2008 14:55:12 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2100068/posts 10/7/2008 - BAGRAM AIRFIELD, Afghanistan (AFNS) -- A 40-person team of Airmen, Sailors and Soldiers from the Kapisa and Parwan Provincial Reconstruction Team recently traveled to a remote village to provide medical services. After traversing a rugged, hand-hewn mountain roads barely wide enough for a Humvee, the team of security and medical experts arrived at Pacha Hawk to fulfill their two month plan to provide medical services to the residents, many of whom had never seen a doctor before. A small group of elders and children met the eight-vehicle convoy as it approached the village center, located in a brown... Air Force Link http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2100068/posts#comment Wed, 8 Oct 2008 01:36:18 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2100034/posts WASHINGTON, Oct. 7, 2008 – Afghan national security forces and coalition forces killed 43 militants in Qalat district of Afghanistan’s Zabul province Oct. 5, military officials reported. Afghan and coalition forces on patrol received heavy weapons, machine-gun and sniper fire from militants in multiple locations. The combined forces responded with small-arms and rocket-propelled grenade fire as well as close-air support, killing the militants. A coalition forces contracted civilian employee was wounded by enemy fire and was taken to a coalition medical facility. A roadside bomb discovered in a remote area during the incident was destroyed in place. Several weapons were... American Forces Press Service http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2100034/posts#comment Wed, 8 Oct 2008 00:43:41 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2100000/posts KABUL, Afghanistan, Oct. 7, 2008 – Donations of school supplies and children’s clothing from military families and friends at home are helping deployed New York Army National Guard soldiers in their mission to mentor and train the Afghan national security forces and support the Afghan people. Army Master Sgt. Michael Molgaard helps to unload boxes of donated clothing and school supplies with an Afghan policeman at the Afshar School. U.S. Army photo by Capt. Robert Romano, Combined Joint Task Force Phoenix  (Click photo for screen-resolution image);high-resolution image available. Members of the Afghan National Police delivered hundreds of pounds of schools... American Forces Press Service http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2100000/posts#comment Tue, 7 Oct 2008 23:53:23 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2099924/posts Australian special forces soldiers may have inadvertently shot dead Afghan district governor Rozi Khan, defence head Angus Houston has admitted. The Australian Defence Force (ADF) was working with the governor's tribe to ensure his death had no negative consequences for operations in the region. Air Chief Marshal Houston says a very confused situation is still under investigation. "But, you know, it certainly looks that way," he said when asked whether Australian troops had shot the governor. "But we don't know at this stage. We really need to complete our investigation." In the incident on September 18, Australian special forces soldiers... news.ninemsn.com.au http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2099924/posts#comment Tue, 7 Oct 2008 22:03:19 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2099825/posts PRINCE Harry has won his battle with defence chiefs and will return to Afghanistan's frontline to take up the fight against the Taliban. The third in line to the British throne has already served one tour as a forward air controller directing air strikes against hostile forces less than 500m away. Now the 24-year-old is likely to be more in the thick of it as a lieutenant with the Blues and Royals, an amalgamation of the Royal Horse Guards (Blues) and The Royal Dragoons (1st Dragoons) the history of which dates back to the 1600s. After his first deployment, Prince... News.com.au http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2099825/posts#comment Tue, 7 Oct 2008 19:59:59 GMT