Afghanistan War News Updates -- May 14, 2010

A GENERAL'S THOUGHTS - Afghanistan Defense Minister Abdul Rahim Wardak, left, Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates, center left, and Afghanistan President Hamid Karzai, center right, and John Metzler, superintendent of Arlington National Cemetery, right, listen to U.S. Army Gen. Stanley McChrystal, commander of International Security Assistance Force and U.S. Forces Afghanistan, center, at a grave site while touring Section 60 in Arlington National Cemetery, Va., May 13, 2010. DoD photo by U.S. Air Force Master Sgt. Jerry Morrison

U.S. Efforts In Kandahar, Barely Begun, Already Are Faltering -- McClatchy News

KANDAHAR, Afghanistan — Although it's just beginning, the U.S.-led effort to pacify the Taliban's spiritual capital in southern Afghanistan already appears to be faltering.

Key military operations have been delayed until the fall, efforts to improve local government are having little impact and a Taliban assassination campaign has brought a sense of dread to Kandahar's dusty streets.

Read more ....

More News On Afghanistan

Nato troops prepare Kandahar push -- BBC
Troops face 'most important' battle yet in Afghanistan -- Independent
McChrystal: Kandahar push results will take months -- AP
Outcome in Kandahar will be clear by end of year: US general -- AFP
Top soldier in southern Afghanistan warns against Taliban 'impunity' -- The Telegraph
US: Success of Afghan Anti-Taliban Surge Won't Be Known Until End of Year -- Voice of America
Top general: It's a draw in Afghanistan -- AP

Three days in Washington: How Hamid Karzai resuscitated his image -- Christian Science Monitor
Leaders Put Different Face on Afghan Drive -- New York Times
At U.S.-Afghan Meetings, Talk of Nuts and Bolts -- New York Times
In speech, Karzai, expresses satisfaction with outcome of Washington visit -- Washington Post
Karzai Ends US Visit With Tribute to Fallen Soldiers -- Voice of America
Karzai to visit US troops heading to Afghanistan -- Yahoo News/AFP

Two NATO soldiers killed in Afghanistan -- AFP
NATO says 2 service members killed -- AP
Afghan protest on civilian deaths turns violent,1 dead -- Reuters
Protesters say NATO attack killed Afghan civilians -- AP
Afghan official: Troops killed civilians -- CNN
Afghan Protests On Civilian Deaths Turn Violent -- Radio Free Europe
Combined Force Kills Dozens of Insurgents -- U.S. Department of Defense
Troops likely to see spike in fighting -- Washington Times

Karzai says issue of brother "resolved" with Obama -- Yahoo News/Reuters
Karzai Family Inc. in Afghanistan -- AllGov.
Clinton to Afghan women: 'We will not abandon you' -- Yahoo News/AP
Afghan private security firms fuelling corruption, warns British commander -- The Guardian
Can Obama save his Afghanistan surge? -- Jackson Diehl, Washington Post