Analysis & Commentary
The Jon Justice Show
The Panjwai massacre, and its implications for the Afghanistan war.
Assessing Afghanistan
The strategic impact of the Afghan massacre.
Investigating the Bin Laden Family’s Safe Havens
Perhaps someday we will learn the real extent of Osama bin Laden’s support network inside Pakistan. A truly independent investigation would begin with bin Laden’s ties to various Pakistani military and intelligence officials in the 1980s and walk forward from there.
Let Syria Be
‘We will hold sacred the beliefs held sacred by others.” That’s the concluding rally cry of the U.S. Department of Defense’s newly issued guidance on the “Proper Handling and Disposal of Islamic Religious Materials — Service Members/Civilian Training.”
US Drones Kill at Least 13 in South Waziristan Strike
Unmanned US Predator or Reaper strike aircraft killed 13 "militants" in airstrikes in the Miramshah and Mir Ali areas of Pakistan's Taliban-controlled tribal agency of South Waziristan today.
ISAF Captures 2 IMU Leaders in Northeastern Afghanistan
During a raid today in the remote northeastern province of Badakhshan, Coalition and Afghan special operations teams captured two Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan leaders who are involved in suicide attacks.
US Adds Qods Force General as ‘Narcotics Kingpin’ for Heroin, Weapons Smuggling in Afghanistan
Today the US Department of the Treasury added an Iranian Qods Force general to the list of Specially Designated Narcotics Traffickers for supporting heroin and opium smuggling in Iran and Afghanistan "as part of a broader scheme to support terrorism."
It’s the War, Stupid, Not the Nukes
My invaluable friend, David Goldman, aka Spengler, called our attention to an extremely important article in the German press by a highly respected German defense expert, saying there is good reason to believe that North Korea tested an Iranian nuclear device in 2010.
When Was the Last al Qaeda Operative Killed or Captured in Afghanistan?
Over at The Nation (the US version, not the Pakistani version), George Zornick asks when the last al Qaeda operative was killed in Afghanistan, because US troops are dying there and the President says we are in Afghanistan to fight al Qaeda.
Mid-Day Edition
Afghan soldier and teacher kill 2 ISAF soldiers in south.
Afghan Soldier and Teacher Kill 2 ISAF Soldiers in South
An Afghan soldier and a teacher opened fire on NATO troops in Kandahar province today, killing two soldiers before being killed in return fire. Afghan security personnel have killed seven International Security Assistance Force soldiers in the past 10 days, while the Taliban have killed six...
Why Apologize to Afghanistan?
The New York Times reports that President Obama has sent a formal letter of apology to Afghanistan’s ingrate president, Hamid Karzai, for the burning of Korans at a U.S. military base.
Taliban Incite Afghans to Kill ‘Crusaders’ Over Koran Burning
The Taliban have urged all Afghans to move beyond "mere protests" and attack US military personnel throughout the country for burning copies of the Koran. The Taliban's call has been echoed by some members of parliament.
The John Batchelor Show
Koran burning in NATO error incites Afghans.
The John Batchelor Show
US announces a 'surge' of military trainers to Afghanistan.
Al Qaeda ‘Operates in Afghanistan Under the Flag of the Islamic Emirate’: Taliban Spokesman
A Taliban spokesman who identified himself as an "Authorized Correspondent by the Media Committee of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan" said that the Taliban will not renounce al Qaeda
The Pakistan Problem Isn’t Just The Government. It’s The People
Since the Taliban resurgence began gaining force in 2005, a common refrain in the West has been that Pakistan must “do more” to rein in the jihadis who are drawing support from bases in the borderlands of Balochistan and Waziristan.
The John Batchelor Show
U.S., Afghans in Taliban talks.
The John Batchelor Show
The US and NATO transition from a combat role to a mentor role in Afghanistan.
The John Batchelor Show
U.S. sending commander to repair ties with Pakistan.
