Afghanistan War News Updates -- March 3, 2010

GHABALAY GROUP - U.S. Army Spc. Brian E. King conducts a patrol with his unit and Afghan soldiers in the Ghabalay village area in eastern Afghanistan’s Kunar province, Feb. 16, 2010. King is the forward observer assigned to Company D, 2nd Battalion, 12th Infantry Regiment. U.S. Army photo by Staff Sgt. Gary A. Witte

Major-General Richard Barrons Puts Taleban Fighter Numbers At 36,000 -- Times Online

The general in charge of persuading Afghan fighters to put down their weapons has estimated that there are as many as 36,000 insurgents, giving a rare appraisal of the fighting force at the command of the Taleban.

Reiterating the view that finding jobs for those fighting Western and Afghan forces was the key to ending the war, Major-General Richard Barrons said of the militants: “Some are ideological full-time jihadis, some are linked to the insurgency for localised reasons, local grievances; some because it’s a way to make a living; some because they like to fight; some because their communities are hedging their bets between the Government and the insurgency.”

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More News On Afghanistan

Taliban fighters estimated at 36,000 -- UPI
Seven NATO soldiers killed in Afghanistan in 48 hours -- Yahoo News/AFP
Marja Clearing Phase Nears Completion -- U.S. Department of Defense

In Afghanistan, Karzai's invitation to Taliban creates discord and confusion -- Washington Post
Afghans, Allies Split Over Taliban Talks -- Newser
Reintegrating Taliban Into Society -- Voice of America

Afghan govt says it's not banning attacks coverage -- AP
Afghanistan Aims to Ban Live Coverage of Attacks -- New York Times
US worry over Afghan media curbs -- BBC
Afghans Propose Media Ban, U.S. Reacts -- FOX News
U.S. critical of latest Afghan government moves -- Reuters

Taliban, not drugs, focus of US-Afghan offensive -- AP
Afghanistan launches poppy eradication programme -- Yahoo News/AFP
New Kabul attack highlights Indian-Pakistani tension in Afghanistan -- Deutsche Welle
McChrystal Urges Troops to Serve as Role Models -- U.S. Department of Defense

Petraeus: Afghanistan war not close to end -- UPI
Petraeus says US took needed risk in Afghanistan -- Yahoo News/AP
Gen. Petraeus sees progress in Afghanistan -- Yahoo News/AP

As drones multiply in Iraq and Afghanistan, so do their uses -- Christian Science Monitor
As Afghan Role Dwindles, Doubts Grow About NATO's Future -- Time Magazine
NATO unity threatened by defense budget and equipment shortfalls -- Deutsche Welle
The Next Battles for Marja -- Joshua Foust, New York Times