Afghanistan War News Updates -- October 30, 2009

A group of Taliban in Herat, Afghanistan, on Oct. 14, hand over weapons in a government amnesty program. European Pressphoto Agency

Support Grows for Pursuit of Peace Deals With the Taliban -- Wall Street Journal

KABUL -- The idea of talking to the Taliban -- a strategy advocated by Afghan officials -- has become increasingly seductive as the Western death toll in the conflict mounts.

Obama administration officials openly ponder an outreach to the leadership of Islamist militants, something that has been long advocated by European allies. Gen. Stanley McChrystal has already told the U.S.-led forces under his command here that "reintegrating" lower-level Taliban gunmen into Afghan society is as desirable as killing or capturing them.

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More News On Afghanistan

Obama, Joint Chiefs to discuss Afghanistan plans -- CNN
Obama to meet military brass on Afghanistan -- AFP
Obama Consults Military Leaders, Nears Afghan Troop Decision -- Voice of America
Obama considers 'McChrystal Light' Afghan war plan -- AP
Obama's review of Afghan war strategy nears end -- Reuters
SCENARIOS - Obama's options in Afghan war -- Reuters

Simple Afghan mission turns deadly for U.S. soldiers -- Yahoo News/Reuters
French families sue commanders who ate VIP dinner as soldiers died in ambush -- Times Online
Special Forces for Special Afghan Rescues -- Washington Times
US Seeks to Counter Enemy’s ‘Weapon of Choice’ -- U.S. Department of Defense

UN Reviews Security After Deadly Kabul Assault -- Reuters
UN Evacuates Non-essential Staff After Deadly Attack on Kabul Guesthouse -- Times Online
U.N. chief urges more security for staff in Afghanistan -- CNN

Afghanistan Increases Polling Stations for Election -- Voice of America
Afghanistan Adds Poll Sites Despite Fraud Fears -- Wall Street Journal
Afghan Officials Unveil Plans for Runoff -- L.A. Times
Afghan Panel Overrides Warnings -- Washington Post

Afghan girls burn themselves to escape marriage -- NBC
Obama Honors Americans Killed in Afghanistan -- Voice of America

Commentaries And Analysis

What We Can Achieve in Afghanistan -- Robert B. Zoellick, Washington Post
On the War's Front Lines -- David Ignatius, Washington Post opinion.
A Familiar War in Afghanistan - Eugene Robinson, Washington Post opinion
The Commander’s Duty Done -- New York Times editorial
Muddled Thinking on Afghanistan -- Washington Times editorial