Afghanistan War News Updates -- February 1, 2010

STRYKER SIGHT - U.S. Army Spc. Tim Andrews, right, and Pfc. Laremy Lee conduct a patrol in a Stryker armored vehicle in Luy Kariz, Afghanistan, Jan. 25, 2010. Andrews and Lee are assigned to the 8th Squadron, 1st Cavalry Regiment. U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Francisco V. Govea II

Afghan Official Says Talks with Taliban Are Ongoing -- New York Times

KABUL, Afghanistan — The Afghan official in charge of reconciliation said Monday that talks are continuing with Taliban leaders to bring them into the government and end the war, dismissing Taliban denials of contacts with the Kabul authorities.

Mohammed Masoom Stanekzai, a top security adviser to President Hamid Karzai, made the statement at a news conference to discuss last week’s international Afghanistan conference in London.

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More News On Afghanistan

Afghan President Calls for Reconciliation with Taliban -- Voice of America
Karzai urges Taliban talks before U.S. pullout -- Reuters
President Karzai invites Taleban to join peace talks with Government -- Times Online
Karzai rejects Taliban conditions -- Al Jazeera
Taliban denies meeting UN Afghanistan envoy -- Christian Science Monitor
Afghan Taliban leader ready to end al-Qaida ties, says former trainer -- The Guardian

Hearts, minds and bullets on the eve of an offensive in Helmand -- Times Online
Afghan officials say joint force kills 7 militants in gunbattle in south -- TodayOnline/AP
US serviceman killed in Afghanistan -- Press Association
US casualties in Afghanistan sow seeds of anger, frustration -- Times of India/AFP

Obama seeks $33 billion for Afghanistan troop rise -- Reuters
NATO Commander Sees Pivotal 2010 for Afghanistan -- US Department of Defense
Marines pressing Afghan army to take larger security role -- Stars And Stripes
U.S. makes small strides in getting Afghan army fighting fit, but hurdles remain -- Washington Post
Buying off Afghanistan’s “$10 fighters” -- Reuters
Kazakh official warns against quitting Afghanistan -- Washington Times
Foreign fighters alienate Afghans: Ménard -- CBC
Petraeus on Afghanistan, Taliban -- Public Radio International
Afghanistan conference: Will the new strategy work? -- BBC