Afghanistan War Updates -- August 1, 2008

Afghanistan Spiralling Back To Days Of Taliban,
Say Charities -- The Independent

Violence in Afghanistan has reached record highs, with unprecedented numbers of civilian casualties and terror attacks spreading into areas once thought safe, a coalition of charities warns. In a damning indictment of the international community's effort to stabilise Afghanistan, more than 100 aid agencies claimed security is worse now than at any time in the past seven years.

"There has been a surge in the number of civilian casualties caused by all sides, a spread of insecurity to previously stable areas, and increasing attacks on aid agencies and their staff," the statement from their umbrella organisation Acbar said.

The group represents 64 international aid groups with projects inside the warring country, including Oxfam, Mercy Corps and Save the Children, as well as 36 Afghan charities.

Read more ....

More News On Afghanistan

Afghanistan aid agencies hampered by growth in violence -- The Guardian
Gates: US Not Ready to Send More Troops to Afghanistan -- Voice Of America
Gates: No major Afghan troops surge -- Press TV
Top general says more troops no answer in Afghanistan -- BND
Senior al Qaeda commander in Afghanistan killed in US airstrike -- Long War Journal
NATO says 4 soldiers killed in east Afghanistan -- Yahoo News
Attacks kill 5 NATO soldiers, 4 Afghan civilians -- Reuters
Taliban: 'We're Too Busy in Afghanistan' to Work with Pakistan -- ABC News
Pakistan summons Afghan envoy over consulate blast -- Khaleej Times
Al-Qaida commander killed in Afghanistan -- Yahoo News
30 Taliban killed in Afghanistan -- USA Today
Afghan and NATO troops kill 20 Taliban -- Reuters Africa
Three injured in blast outside Pak consulate in Afghanistan -- KUNA
US sees rise in Pakistani fighters in Afghanistan -- Khaleej Times
Iraq militant group head said to be in Afghanistan -- Yahoo News
Haqqani emerging as new leader of a resurgent Taliban -- Times Of India
FACTBOX-Security developments in Afghanistan, Aug 1 -- Reuters
Afghanistan: July Most Bloody Month Since 2001 -- AGI News
Failure In Afghanistan -- The Atlantic
Opinion: Obama is wrong about sending more troops to Afghanistan -- Dallas News
NATO must do more in southern Afghanistan: Canada -- Yahoo News/Reuters

My Comment: Everyone is now expecting a surge. My opinion .... there will be no surge until next year, and that is for the next U.S. President to decide.