Afghanistan War News Updates -- August 23, 2009

American Marines meet for a briefing in Khan Neshin, a desolate village in southern Afghanistan that has been under the Taliban’s sway. Robert Nickelsberg/Getty Images, for The New York Times

Marines Fight Taliban With Little Aid From Afghans -- New York Times

KHAN NESHIN, Afghanistan — American Marines secured this desolate village in southern Afghanistan nearly two months ago, and last week they were fortifying bases, on duty at checkpoints and patrolling in full body armor in 120-degree heat. Despite those efforts, only a few hundred Afghans were persuaded to come out here and vote for president on Thursday.

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More News On Afghanistan

Fresh attack hits northern Afghanistan: govt -- AFP
FACTBOX-Security developments in Afghanistan, Aug 23 -- Reuters
Don't expect quick results in Afghanistan -- Long War Journal
U.S. Sen. Collins, back from Afghanistan, challenges plan to send more troops -- Sea Coast Online
'Real risk' of UK Afghan defeat -- BBC
Afghanistan: Wasted billions put lives at risk -- Times Online
U.K. Troops to be sent to Helmand, Afghanistan with just 6 weeks' training -- Daily Mail
U.K. Army to be denied extra troops in Helmand -- Times Online
Words from the front line: the bloody truth of Helmand – by a combat soldier -- The Guardian
McCain: Afghanistan needs Petraeus' Iraq approach -- AP
Obama’s Afghanistan strategy at stake -- Financial Times
Americans believe Afghan war not worth its cost -- Dawn
Mullen worried over public support for Afghan war -- Yahoo News/AP
Poll shows most Britons oppose war in Afghanistan -- Reuters
Afghanistan: where do we go from here? -- The Telegraph
Germany's Merkel says no timeline on Afghanistan -- The Independent/AP
Germany's Steinmeier proposes Afghan pull-out talks -- Reuters

AFGHANISTAN ELECTION OUTCOME

Afghanistan May Delay Announcing Winner of Presidential Election -- Voice of America
U.S. Seeks Overhaul in Kabul After Vote -- Wall Street Journal
Taliban attacks leave poll soaked in Afghan blood -- Times Online
Intimidation and Fraud Observed in Afghan Election -- New York Times
Fraud charges raised in Afghan election -- Washington Times
Mass rigging in Afghan vote says leading contender -- Yahoo News/AFP
Afghan challenger says election "widely rigged" -- Yahoo News/Reuters
Afghan commission: fraud filings could sway vote -- Yahoo News/AP
Afghanistan election challenger accuses Karzai of stealing vote -- The Guardian
Afghan election observers report finger amputations -- L.A. Times
Women voter turnout sinks in Afghanistan -- AFP

COMMENTARIES, OPINIONS, AND EDITORIALS

The war for Afghanistan's women -- L.A. Times opinion
Under Burqas, Afghan Women Voted in Protest -- Christian Science Monitor editorial.
It's gut-check time, Mr. President -- Peter Feaver, Foreign Policy
The President and the 'Necessary War' Myth -- Robert Kagan, Washington Post opinion.

CASUALTIES

US military deaths in Afghanistan region at 716 -- Washington Post/AP