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The parents of slain Army Ranger and NFL star Pat Tillman voiced concerns Tuesday that the general who played a role in mischaracterizing his death could be put in charge of military operations in Afghanistan.
Defense Secretary Robert Gates announced Monday that has he asked for the resignation of Gen. David McKiernan, the top general in Afghanistan. Gates has nominated Lt. Gen. Stanley McChrystal to replace McKiernan.
Four American soldiers were killed in eastern Afghanistan in a roadside explosion on Sunday, the United States military said, in the worst of several attacks by insurgents around the country. The Taliban claimed responsibility for the attack, a spokesman, Zabiullah Mujahid, said. The Taliban have been threatening to increase attacks on foreign and Afghan forces in Afghanistan to counter the increase in American troops arriving in the country over the coming months. Military officials have been predicting an increase in violence this year. – From NY Times
Afghanistan’s President Hamid Karzai says he now accepts that his country’s presidential election should be postponed from April to August. Mr Karzai’s term in office runs out on 21 May, but he now says he will not step down until elections are held. The poll is due to be held by April but the Independent Election Commission says it must be delayed because of security and logistical problems. Correspondents say Mr Karzai’s rivals will almost certainly cry foul. President Karzai had previously insisted that the election should go ahead in April as originally scheduled. – From BBC News
Soldiers and locals in Fort Lewis, Washington, are giving their thoughts on President Barack Obama’s announcement that 17,000 additional troops will be heading to Afghanistan this year.
A suicide bomber in a car attacked a convoy of foreign troops in the Afghan capital Sunday, but there was no immediate word on casualties, a police officer said. Taliban militants claimed responsibility for the attack.
The Department of Defense says a vehicle borne suicide bomber detonated himself in Khowst province eastern Afghanistan. In the process he killed 16, including 14 children, and wounded 58 others.
Up to 30,000 additional U.S. troops could be sent to Afghanistan next year, military officials said Saturday. Roughly 31,000 U.S. troops currently are in Afghanistan. Of the additional troops, 20,000 will comprise four ground/maneuvering brigades, said Col. Gregory Julian, spokesman for U.S. forces in Afghanistan. That number is consistent with what Gen. David McKiernan, the U.S. commander in Afghanistan, called for in October, he said. – From CNN.com
Admiral Michael Mullen, chairman of the U.S. Joint Chiefs of Staff, said the U.S. seeks to send an additional 20,000 to 30,000 troops to Afghanistan in the first half of next year. “Some 20,000 to 30,000 is the window of overall increase from where we are right now. I don’t have an exact number,” Mullen said at a press conference in Kabul today. “We’re looking to get them here in the spring, but certainly by the beginning of summer at the latest.” – From Bloomberg.com
The United States plans to send up to 30,000 extra troops to Afghanistan by the beginning of next summer. The chairman of the US Joint Chiefs of Staff, Admiral Mike Mullen, told reporters in the Afghan capital Kabul that they had agreed on the requirement of 20,000 to 30,000 additional troops. – From Deutsche Welle
Sec. Of Defense Robert Gates has arrived in Afghanistan. Gates said Wednesday that the Pentagon plans to move three of the four brigades requested by commanders in Afghanistan by the summer.
Sen. John McCain said on Sunday that additional U.S. Troops are needed in Afghanistan. McCain made the statement after meeting with Afghan President Hamid Karzai. McCain has also visited Iraq, Pakistan and India during this trip. (Dec. 8)