Afghanistan War News Updates -- August 29, 2009

A carry team at Dover Air Force Base marches from the transfer case containing the remains of Marine Lance Cpl. Donald Hogan, 20, of San Clemente, Calif., on Friday. Cpl. Hogan died Wednesday in Afghanistan, among those killed in the deadliest month for U.S. forces in the Afghan war. Associated Press

Fraud Claims Imperil Afghan Vote Deadline -- Wall Street Journal

American Soldier Killed Amid Postelection Strife, Making August Deadliest Month for U.S. in Conflict.

KABUL -- A government watchdog's scrutiny of formal complaints about Afghanistan's presidential election threatens to delay the release of official results beyond the Sept. 17 deadline, prolonging the country's political limbo just as the Taliban intensify attacks against Afghan officials and U.S.-led international forces.

The killing of a U.S. soldier in a roadside explosion on Friday, the 45th such casualty since July, has turned August into the deadliest month for American troops here since the Taliban regime was toppled eight years ago. U.S. forces in Afghanistan total around 60,000. The Taliban has carried out hundreds of attacks across the country this month, setting off deadly blasts in major cities such as Kabul, Kandahar, Herat and Kunduz, in a bid to disrupt the election and the vote count.

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More News On Afghanistan

Taliban's growth in Afghanistan's north threatens to expand war -- McClatchy news
Sight of dead girl at the gates sparked a bloody mutiny -- Times Online
Afghan bomb kills US soldier -- AFP
Fury at Nato's Afghan clinic raid -- BBC
Two killed, 21 wounded in Afghan suicide strike -- Reuters
Suicide attack targets NATO troops: officials -- AFP
Suicide Attack Kills 2 in Afghanistan -- Voice of America
FACTBOX-Security developments in Afghanistan, Aug 29 -- Reuters
August deadliest month for US in -- Afghanistan -- AP
Deadliest month for American forces -- Press Association

AFGHANISTAN'S ELECTION

Karzai increases lead to 46 pct in Afghan election -- Houston Chronicle/AP
Quick Declaration in Afghan Presidential Election Unlikely -- Voice of America
Push for runoff to legitimise Afghan poll -- The Australian
'Furious' Karzai and Holbrooke row over election fraud fears -- Times Online
Karzai Using Rift With U.S. to Gain Favor With Afghans -- New York Times
Abdullah Abdullah warns survival of Afghanistan is at risk -- The Telegraph
Taliban claim victory over vote -- Globe And Mail
American rift with Karzai worsens over 'drug-dealer' ally -- The Independent

GENERAL NEWS/ANALYSIS/COMMENTARY

Two thirds want British troops home from Afghanistan -- The Telegraph
New British Army boss 'warned of shortages' -- Press Association
CBS Reporter Injured in Afghanistan -- CBS News
Rough Terrain -- Washington Post
Spooks to Tap Aid Workers for Af-Pak Knowledge? -- The Danger Room
US applies Colombia antidrug lessons to Afghanistan -- Christian Science Monitor
Afghan rift with US clouds Obama strategy -- Financial Times
The Road Home From Afghanistan -- Russ Feingold, Wall Street Journal opinion.
After Afghanistan’s Vote -- New York Times editorial.
Cracking on in Helmand -- Stephen Grey, The Prospect opinion
US military deaths in Afghanistan region at 730 -- AP