Afghanistan
US Defence Secretary Leon Panetta in surprise Afghan visit
US Defence Secretary Leon Panetta in surprise Afghan visit
BBC News – Q&A: Foreign forces in Afghanistan
The Taliban continue to release inflammatory statements; meanwhile, the US continues to hope for peace.
Two commanders and six fighters loyal to Mullah Nazir, a favorite of the Pakistani establishment who has pledged his support for al Qaeda, were killed in the first strike. Seven other fighters were killed in the second strike.
Pakistan ‘revising’ list of banned terror groups
US fears reprisals after Afghan massacre in Kandahar
The target of the attack appears to have been the deputy speaker of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s provincial assembly, who has also raised an anti-Taliban militia.
Our big mistake was to assume we had won, says British ambassador to Afghanistan
Strategic pact with US excludes military bases: Karzai
Afghan Anger and Security Changes Imperil Aid Groups
Ustad Ahmad Farooq, al Qaeda’s spokesman for Pakistan, confirmed that Badr Mansoor was killed in a drone strike on Feb. 2012. Farooq accused the Pakistani military and government of supporting the US’s drone campaign.
US and Afghanistan Agree on Detainee Transfer
Taliban Guantanamo detainees agree to Qatar transfer: official
Exclusive: Afghan officials visit Guantanamo in peace bid
US State Dept calls Pakistani Taliban threats to Shad Begum ‘out of step’
Pakistani School Takes Hands-Off Approach To Combating Extremism
“We will carry out suicide bombings against security forces and the government across the country,” a Taliban spokesman said. The Taliban also threatened two female Pakistani activists who have worked for the well-being of women and children in Pakistan.
Today’s strike is the first in Pakistan’s tribal areas in 14 days, and just the eighth this year.
Pakistan – Taliban in talks to end ‘serious differences’
Afghan Air Force Probed in Drug Running
The two Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan leaders are responsible for suicide attacks in northern Afghanistan.
Foreign militants fighting in Syria battlefields
Afghan Women Seen Losing Ground
General Gholamreza Baghbani, the senior Qods Force officer in Zahedan, facilitates heroin and opium smuggling to arm the Taliban in Afghanistan, according to the US Treasury.
Top Qaeda operative Ilyas Kashmiri still alive
Faqir claims he was not notified of his dismissal and said the Taliban have supported negotiations with the government.
Afghanistan – President defends scholars’ guideline regarding women
The PR challenge in Afghanistan: suicide bombing, Quran burning, and murky data
Ousted deputy leader of Pakistan Taliban favors talks with govt
The Afghan Response to the 2012 Koran Burning Incident