Afghanistan War News Updates -- April 19, 2010

U.S. Army soldiers take a break before examining the water supply for the village of Akbar Kheyl, Pole-Elam district, Logar province, Afghanistan, March 18, 2010. U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Russell Gilchrest

Can Afghanistan President Karzai And Obama Still Work Together? -- Christian Science Monitor

Angry words lately between Afghanistan President Hamid Karzai and the administration of Barack Obama have raised questions about whether they can work together to stabilize the war torn country.

The relationship between Afghanistan President Hamid Karzai and President Barack Obama has come to resemble a loveless marriage succumbing to the strain of keeping up public appearances.

An imminent split seems unlikely. The US remains Afghanistan's chief international backer and the Obama administration's ambitious plan to transform the war-torn country needs Mr. Karzai if it's going to succeed.

Read more ....

More News On Afghanistan

Karzai's rants for half-brother not against Obama -- Washington Times
29 militants die in fighting in north Afghanistan -- Yahoo News/AP
More than 100 die in week of Afghan violence: govt -- AFP
Powerful blast in Afghanistan's Kandahar-witness -- Reuters
Taliban’s supreme leader signals willingness to talk peace -- Times Online
Taliban say buildup under way -- AP
Tension rises in Kandahar ahead of Nato summer offensive -- The Guardian
Nato offensive aims to tackle bribery and corruption in Kandahar -- The Guardian
85% in Kandahar Call Taliban “Our Afghan Brothers” -- Fire Dog Lake
Counter-insurgency zeal grips eastern Afghanistan -- AFP
On Pakistani-Afghan border, some join Taliban to settle scores with relatives -- Washington Post
NATO eyes Polar flights to Afghanistan as Europe shuts down -- Earth Times
American Aid Official Visits Kandahar After Attacks on Contractors -- New York Times
Volcanic ash: Soldiers return after gruelling trek from Afghanistan -- Scotsman

3 Italian aid workers freed in Afghanistan -- AP
Afghanistan Frees Detained Italians -- Wall Street Journal
Afghanistan Frees Three Italian Aid Workers - Italy -- New York Times/Reuters

Quake hits central Afghanistan, at least 7 killed -- Washington Post/Reuters
Afghanistan quake kills at least 7 -- CNN
'Seven dead' as earthquake rocks Afghanistan -- BBC

Nine years after 'liberation', Afghans continue to despair -- Kim Sengupta, The Independent
Key to success lies with Afghan officials coming through -- Doyle McManus, L.A. Times opinion