Posted: Wednesday, November 18, 2009 9:08 AM
Filed Under: Islamabad, Pakistan

Updated November 12, 2009

Obama Calls for Revised Afghanistan War Options
 

http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2009/11/11/envoy-objects-afghan-troop-increase/

NATO wants to hand over to Afghan forces

Secretary general: Local troops should take lead where conditions permit

 

 View related photos

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/33879553/ns/world_news-europe/

Afghan Taliban surpasses weakened al-Qaida

Shifting power balance among insurgents has implications for U.S. fight

Reuters Taliban fighters pose with weapons in an undisclosed location in Afghanistan.  View related photos By Joshua Partlow updated 2:55 a.m. PT, Wed., Nov . 11, 2009 http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/33849851/ns/world_news-washington_post/

In Helmand, a model for success?

Influx of Marines, focus on security bring peace — at least for now

 View related photos

By Rajiv Chandrasekaran

updated 2 hours, 37 minutes ago

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/33424442/ns/world_news-washington_post/

Leaving Iraq ends US mission veiled in ambivalence

There are just a few days left before U.S. Army Capt. Nathan Williams finally gets to go home.
By HAMZA HENDAWI

Associated Press Writer

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/nationworld/2010089569_apmliraqchangingmission.html




 

Posted: Monday, October 19, 2009 12:59 PM
Filed Under: Islamabad, Pakistan

Why South Waziristan offensive won't help US in Afghanistan

The Pakistan Army is going after terrorists who target Pakistan. All the major terrorist networks attacking US forces in Afghanistan operate from other areas of Pakistan.

from the October 18, 2009 edition



 

Why a surge is not a sure thing in Afghanistan

It may offer some badly needed relief, but don't expect a quick fix

 View related photos

ANALYSIS

By Richard Engel

Chief foreign correspondent

NBC News

updated 50 minutes ago

Richard Engel Chief foreign correspondent

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/33208943/ns/world_news-south_and_central_asia//

Afghan, US troops kill 40 militants in east

By RAHIM FAIEZ AND TODD PITMAN
ASSOCIATED PRESS WRITERS
Last updated October 6, 2009 6:58 a.m. PT

http://www.seattlepi.com/national/1104ap_as_afghanistan.html

Is US strategy in Afghanistan working?

The debate over sending more US troops frames a larger clash over counterinsurgency strategy as the new template for war.

from the October 4, 2009 edition











The debate over sending more US troops frames a larger clash over counterinsurgency strategy as the new template for war.

US troops from the Army’s 10th Mountain Division in Fort Drum, N.Y., question village elders about notices posted by the Taliban leading up to the Aug. 20 presidential elections in eastern Afghanistan.
David Goldman/AP

http://www.csmonitor.com/2009/1004/p06s10-usmi.html

Al Qaeda's Diminished Role Stirs Afghan Debate

Hunted by U.S. drones, beset by money problems and finding it tougher to lure young Arabs to the bleak mountains of Pakistan, Al Qaeda is seeing its role shrink there and in Afghanistan

The Wall Street Journal

FOXNews.com

Monday, October 05, 2009



President Obama discusses Afghanistan with his national security team in Washington Sept. 30. (White House)

http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2009/10/05/al-qaedas-diminished-role-stirs-afghan-debate/




 

Pls click on Michael's Link Below to receive his updated reports...


SEPTEMEBER 19th, 2009

Greetings,

Am in Eindhoven, Netherlands at invitation from some World War II veterans.  Dutch Air Force flew me in from Afghanistan.  The Dutch are treating our veterans like Royalty.  It's simply amazing.  Some vets are asking me a lot of questions about Iraq/Afghanistan.  It's an incredible honor to be in the middle of all this.  General Petraeus came and is spending a lot of time with the veterans.  The Dutch also are treating General Petraeus with much respect.

The British Minister of Defence has answered public questions about why the British MoD disembbed me from Afghanistan.  His answer is hogwash.  Bob Ainsworth is best to let it go.  I will respond to his public answer when this World War II remembrance is over.  Please check out this.

By the way, the Kopp-Etchells name for the glowing helicopter rotors seems to have "taken."  Please see "The Kopp-Etchells Effect".
--
Very Respectfully,

Michael Yon

***********************************************************************

SEPTEMBER 23rd, 2009

Greetings,

The Afghanistan assessment from General Stanley McChrystal comes not a moment too soon.  His conclusions were easily predictable (and predicted).  The war is not lost -- I believe it is salvageable -- yet there is no time to waste.  The year 2010 will be decisive.  My recent Washington Times op-ed (soon to be published) happens to be an extremely close summary of McChrystal's Afghan report.

Meanwhile, I have joined with several Senators -- and folks from the Special Operations community -- in a crucial court battle that carries grave implications to our national security.

Please read: Maqaleh v. Gates Amicus Brief

--
Very Respectfully,

Michael Yon

 Pls click on Michael's Link Below to receive his updated reports...

"Rescue in Afghanistan"
SEPTEMBER 14th

Greetings,

Every day, Air Force Pararescue swoop into danger to extract killed and wounded troops.  They took me on several missions.  Please click "Pedros."  If you have a loved one in Afghanistan, you'll definitely want to see this.

I am in Kandahar City without troops.  Many bombs and gunfights around here but am feeling the pulse of the war.

--
Your Writer,

Michael Yon

September 6th, 2009
Greetings from Helmand,

Plans are in the works to get over with the United States Marines.  Meanwhile, am out here in Helmand without the military for now.

Please see the latest.

Thank you for the crucial support!

--
Very Respectfully,

Michael Yon


September 8th, 2009
Greetings,

Am still alone in Helmand.  Very interesting and learning every day.

Next will go with U.S. Marines.  Some readers do not believe me, but...  It's far more dangerous with U.S. or British forces than it is out here alone.  I never get into firefights (touch wood) or encounter bombs (touch wood) when I am alone.  But if you go with combat forces, fighting is assured on a near daily basis when on missions.

Today's dispatch covers my final mission with British forces.  I'll miss those soldiers!  Please click.

--
Very Respectfully,

Michael Yon

U.S. commander offers options for Afghanistan

Mon Sep 28, 2009 9:11am EDT

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The commander of U.S. and NATO forces in Afghanistan planned to offer options for policymakers to try to stem Taliban gains, including sending up to 30,000 to 40,000 additional combat troops and trainers, according to defense and congressional officials.

 

http://www.reuters.com/article/topNews/idUSTRE58R0LR20090928

McChrystal’s War

Gen. Stanley A. McChrystal believes he can win in Afghanistan. It's the rest of the world that needs convincing.
 

In Taliban Country

The story of the Taliban's fall and rise, in their own words.

By Evan Thomas | NEWSWEEK

Published Sep 26, 2009

From the magazine issue dated Oct 5, 2009

 

http://www.newsweek.com/id/216237





 

Request for additional forces on hold as White House seeks review of Afghan strategy against resurgent Taliban

The Wall Street Journal
FOXNews.com
Monday, September 21, 2009


 
Sept. 19: Members of the U.S. Army 3rd Battalion,
509th Infantry Regiment (Airborne) train at a shooting
range in East Paktika province in Afghanistan. (AP)

http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2009/09/21/pentagon-delays-troop-request-afghan-war/?test=latestnews
 


 

By RAHIM FAIEZ
ASSOCIATED PRESS WRITER

German ISAF soldiers on patrol outside
Feyzabad, east of Kunduz, Afghanistan,
Saturday, Sept. 12, 2009. (AP Photo/Anja Niedringhaus)

http://www.seattlepi.com/national/1104ap_as_afghanistan.html