Afghanistan War News Updates -- November 16, 2009

SNOW PATROL - Members of Provincial Reconstruction Team Ghazni and Afghan national police walk up a snowy hill after their vehicles became stuck in the mud in the Nawur district, Ghazni province, Afghanistan, Nov. 8, 2009. The team's members visited the district to perform quality assurance control on a collapsed karza and two comprehenisve health clinics. U.S. Air Force photo by Tech Sgt. Rebecca F. Corey

U.S. Troops Battle Both Taliban And Their Own Rules -- Washington Times

KASHK-E-NOKHOWD, Afghanistan | Army Capt. Casey Thoreen wiped the last bit of sleep from his eyes before the sun rose over his isolated combat outpost.

His soldiers did the same as they checked and double-checked their weapons and communications equipment. Ahead was a dangerous foot patrol into the heart of Taliban territory.

Read more ....

More News On Afghanistan

Administration Lowers Bar for Success in Afghanistan War, Seeks Exit Strategy -- FOX News
Clinton: 'We're not interested in staying in Afghanistan' long-term -- CNN
Clinton: Ousting al Qaeda only goal in Afghanistan -- Washington Times
High Costs Weigh on Troop Debate for Afghan War -- New York Times
Afghan strategy debate exposes split over price -- Reuters


Obama's Dilemma: Where Are the Afghan Security Forces? -- Time Magazine
Just seven out of Britain's 248 senior officers serving in Afghanistan -- Mirror.co.uk
FACTBOX: Security developments in Afghanistan, Nov 16 -- Reuters
8 Afghan Police Killed in Militant Attack -- Voice of America
Militants attack police in south Afghanistan -- AP
French, Afghan troops push into hostile valley -- Yahoo News/AP
French forces: Rockets kill 3 at Afghan market -- AP
Deadly attack as French general meets Afghans -- AFP
Taliban make gains in Afghanistan's forgotten north -- Christian Science Monitor
Bombed, Blasted and Shot Yet Still the Taliban Come -- Times Online
Battling the Rules of Engagement in Afghanistan -- Captain's Quarters
Afghan Roadside Bombs a New Priority for US -- Washington Post
Gates Creates New Counter IED Group -- DoD Buzz

US Set to Open New Afghan Prison -- Wall Street Journal
US Gives Tour of New Afghan Detention Center -- Washington Post
US Urges Karzai to Curb Graft -- Wall Street Journal
Afghanistan says to form new anti-corruption unit -- Reuters
Afghan gov't launches anti-corruption squad -- AP
Afghanistan launches crime unit to tackle corruption -- AFP
Nato taskforce to form 'Afghan FBI' and root out high-level corruption -- The Guardian

Clinton: Karzai 'Must Do Better' for U.S. Backing -- ABC News
Clinton Ties Future US Aid to Afghanistan Accountability -- L.A. Times
Clinton sets benchmarks for progress in Afghanistan -- Washington Post

Japan aid pledge for Afghanistan - return to checkbook diplomacy? -- Christian Science Monitor
In Eastern Afghanistan, a Vital Road-building Mission -- Washington Post/AP
Army study: Mental health staff lacking in Afghanistan -- McClatchy News

Commentaries And Analysis

Enough Afghan Debate -- David S. Broder, Washington Post
Obama's Quagmire -- Jeffrey T. Kuhner, Washington Times
A Blue Line in Afghanistan -- Michael O'Hanlon, Washington Post
Obama Must Rethink Rethinking Afghanistan -- Doyle McManus, Los Angeles Times
Obama's Reluctant Choice -- Jackson Diehl, Washington Post