Afghanistan/Pakistan War Updates -- July 29, 2008

Reinforcement troops from the Afghan National Army (ANA) wait for flights to Kandahar, south of Afghanistan, to carry out security and combat missions June 17, 2008. (Ahmad Masood/Reuters)

In Pakistan Mountains,Jihadis Train for War -- Wall Street Journal

KHYBER AGENCY, Pakistan -- Here in the remote mountains of Pakistan, a deep, mostly dry riverbed has been turned into a training camp where about two dozen young men, most in their teens, receive rigorous training for the war against NATO troops in neighboring Afghanistan.

Their day starts at 4 a.m. with prayers, followed by a six-mile run along the riverbed, swimming where some water remains, and weapons training. "One has to go through this rigor to prepare for the tough life as a fighter," said a 27-year-old who introduced himself as Omar Abdullah. He says he fought alongside the Taliban in Afghanistan before returning home to Pakistan a few weeks ago to organize training for new recruits.

Read more ....

More News On Afghanistan/Pakistan Tribal Areas

Afghanistan
Doubts mount on Afghan surge: Taliban recruitment outpaces efforts of U.S., NATO forces -- Washington Times
The Surge -- Captain's Journal
Afghanistan is Not Iraq: Reasons to Be Wary of Another Surge -- World Politics Daily
Afghans must command foreign troops: state newspaper -- Yahoo News/ Reuters
Pakistan prepares anti-India attacks-Afghan spy agency -- San Diego/Reuters
U.S. air strike on al-Qaeda hideout lays bare Pakistan's border weakness -- Globe And Mail
Terrorist Attempt To Invade Afghanistan, Are Decimated -- Strata Sphere
ISAF soldier, several militants killed in Afghanistan -- KUNA
Militants killed in Afghan clashes -- Yahoo News
Several Militants Killed in Afghan Clashes -- ABC News
20 killed or injured in clashes, explosions in Afghanistan -- China View
Report: Al Qaeda WMD expert Abu Khabab thought killed in South Waziristan strike -- Long War Journal
Al-Qaida Figure Reported Killed in Missile Strike -- ABC News
Al-Qaida chemical expert reportedly killed -- MSNBC
US Taking Out Prime Enemy Targets In Pakistan - UPDATED & Got Him! -- Strata-Sphere
US-led raid kills militants in eastern Afghanistan (Roundup)-- Monster And Critics
NATO air raid kills dozens of Afghan Taliban -- Daily Times
On patrol in Afghanistan (Video) -- Telegraph
The Taliban’s Baghdad Strategy -- Newsweek
Inside Afghanistan's 'Narco-State' -- Wired Danger Room
Afghans say time for Pakistani action on militants -- Reuters


Pakistan
Militants Abduct About 30 Pakistani Police, Troops -- ABC News
Taliban split into two factions in Bajaur Agency -- Daily Times
Losing the NWFP to the Taliban -- Captain's Journal
Civil War Breaking Out Amongst Pak Taliban -- Strata-Sphere
Baitullah Mehsud: The Making of a Terror State -- Captain's Journal
Pakistan military warns US commander on strikes -- Daily Times
Bush hails Pakistan as strong ally -- Yahoo News
Base camps on Pak-Afghan border cause Obama concern -- Daily Times
Decision on Pakistani ISI control reversed -- UPI
ISI back under PM's control -- Daily Times
Afghan Paper Criticizes Pakistan's ISI As Threat to Regional Peace -- iSTock Analyst
Theories abound in Islamabad over ISI fiasco -- Thaindian

My Comment: Afghanistan and the entire Indian subcontinent is going through turmoil and conflict on a regional basis now. The Sri Lankan civil war is ongoing, India is suffering from regular terrorist attacks, Pakistan las lost control of its tribal regions, and Afghanistan is battling foreign fighters and the Taliban.

These wars also show no sign of slowing down .... instead .... they show all signs of growing in intensity and casualties. No one is talking to each other, and regional/cultural/religious conflicts that have been present on the subcontinent for centuries are now escalating.

With nuclear weapons .... and a history of conflict .... these conflicts in the subcontinent have the possibility of producing a war that has the possibility of producing casualties not matched in modern history.