Afghanistan

NARANG, Afghanistan (AFP) - Ghulam Nabi has a problem: for the past year he has worked with US soldiers to improve livelihoods and security in his district of Afghanistan. Now he worries they will leave. Full Story »

WASHINGTON (AFP) - Engineers are working furiously to prepare for a surge of troops and supplies into Afghanistan to carry out President Barack Obama's war plan, the top US military officer said. Full Story »

SARGODHA, Pakistan - Five young American Muslims detained in Pakistan wanted to join militants in the country's Taliban-ruled tribal region, battle U.S. troops in neighboring Afghanistan and die as martyrs, police officials said Thursday. Full Story »

WASHINGTON (AFP) - US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton conceded that security concerns limited movement for American civilians working in Afghanistan, but said US troops still escorted them to key places. Full Story »

WASHINGTON (AFP) - As it mobilizes for an Afghanistan troop buildup, the US Army will have to delay plans to allow war-weary soldiers more time at home between combat tours, the chief military officer said. Full Story »

As of Thursday, Dec. 10, 2009, at least 857 members of the U.S. military had died in Afghanistan, Pakistan and Uzbekistan as a result of the U.S. invasion of Afghanistan in late 2001, according to the Defense Department. The department last updated its figures Thursday at 10 a.m. EST. Full Story »

SAN FRANCISCO, Dec 9 (New America Media) - Malalai Joya has been called "Afghanistan's bravest woman." When the Taliban ruled her country, she braved death, running an underground girls school. When the U.S. military overthrew the Taliban, she ran for parliament. Full Story »

OSLO (Reuters) - There will be no "precipitous drawdown" of U.S. forces in Afghanistan and U.S. troops could still be in the country for years to come, President Barack Obama said on Thursday. Full Story »

UNITED NATIONS (Reuters) - U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon and key Western powers are seeking a new U.N. envoy to Afghanistan to help lead the "civilian surge" U.S. President Barack Obama has promised, U.N. diplomats and officials said. Full Story »

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The gradual U.S. handover of security to Afghan forces may begin before the July 2011 start date set by President Barack Obama, if conditions allow, the top U.S. military officer said on Thursday. Full Story »

WASHINGTON - The Pentagon's top military officer says 16,000 troops have received their orders for Afghanistan since President Barack Obama announced his new war strategy. Full Story »

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and Defense Secretary Robert Gates will face questioning next week from lawmakers who control government spending about the cost of the Obama administration's surge of troops into Afghanistan, congressional aides said on Thursday. Full Story »

OSLO - President Barack Obama said Thursday that the withdrawal of U.S. troops from Afghanistan, set to start in 19 months, will be gradual and U.S. aid to that nation will last for years. Full Story »

WASHINGTON (AFP) - A US lawmaker sharply opposed to the war in Afghanistan plans to offer twin resolutions come January aiming to force President Barack Obama to bring home any US forces there and in Pakistan. Full Story »

KABUL - British Defense Secretary Bob Ainsworth said Thursday that NATO's fight in Afghanistan will be difficult and slow, but that the mission can be finished "in a reasonable time" if Afghans really do start taking the lead in security. Full Story »

OSLO (AFP) - US President Barack Obama said on Thursday he was "unambiguous" about his July 2011 date for the start of a US drawdown in Afghanistan, adding there should be no debate about his decision. Full Story »

SEOUL, South Korea - South Korea vowed Thursday to press ahead with plans to send troops back to Afghanistan despite a Taliban threat of retaliation. Full Story »

KABUL (AFP) - The Taliban on Thursday accused South Korea of breaking a promise not to send troops to Afghanistan after it released 19 Korean hostages two years ago, warning its forces to face the consequences. Full Story »