Afghanistan War News Updates -- May 5, 2009

U.S. Marines conduct a local security patrol through the abandoned marketplace of Now Zad in Helmand province, Afghanistan, April 12, 2009. The Marines are assigned to Lima Company, 3rd Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment. U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Pete Thibodeau

In Preview of Surge, U.S. Calms Afghan Valley but Peace Is Fragile -- Wall Street Journal

JALREZ VALLEY, Afghanistan -- A single company of fresh U.S. troops has turned this insurgent haven into a laboratory test for President Barack Obama's Afghanistan troop surge.

Last year, it took a 150-man police escort to get Sayed Jawad Bahoner, the new subgovernor of this district, safely into Jalrez town to assume his post. He slept on the floor of his office building and rarely ventured more than 100 yards outside for fear of the insurgents who ruled the streets.

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More News On Afghanistan

Afghan officials say dozens dead in airstrikes -- AP
Wave of Afghanistan attacks kills 32: officials -- AFP
Militants Kill 27 in Afghanistan -- Voice of America
Two Soldiers Killed and One Missing in Action in Afghanistan -- Salem News
US military deaths in Afghanistan region at 607 -- AP
Afghan Effort Is Mullen's Top Focus -- Washington Post
Strategic Focus Shifts to Afghanistan, Mullen Says -- U.S. Department of Defense
Joint Chiefs chairman: Afghanistan now top priority -- CNN
Afghan, NATO forces build security plan for election -- China View
Karzai Seeks ‘Civilian Surge’ Likely Beyond U.S. Capacity -- Washington Independent
Karzai Enlists Former Warlord as Running Mate -- New York Times
Karzai's VP pick risks votes, foreign support -- AFP
Karzai ignored U.N. pleas on Afghan VP choice -- Reuters
Afghan President Registers for Re-election Before US Visit -- Voice of America
Officials Reject Allegations of Proselytizing in Afghanistan -- U.S. Department of Defense