Afghanistan War News Updates -- June 19, 2010

U.S. Army 1st Lt. Shawn Meno of Mangilao provides security for Provincial Reconstruction Team Farah members and members of a local Kuchi tribe residing in Bawka District in Farah province, Afghanistan, June 12, 2010. Meno is assigned to the Provincial Reconstruction Team Farah Security Forces Platoon. PRT Farah visited three villages in the district to gather information on the needs of the village residents and to promote the importance of seeking government assistance to help resolve those needs. The Kuchi Tribe is a nomadic group, where constant travel and new settlement is a way of life. U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Rylan K. Albright

Violence Up Sharply In Afghanistan, UN Report Finds -- New York Times

KABUL, Afghanistan — Violence in Afghanistan increased substantially over the past three months, most of it due to attacks by “anti-government forces,” the United Nations said in a report released here Saturday.

Especially alarming were increases in suicide bombings and assassinations, as well as a near-doubling of roadside bombings compared to the same period in 2009, according to the quarterly report of the U.N. Secretary General to the Security Council.

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More News On Afghanistan

UN chief: Security in Afghanistan has not improved -- AP
UN alarmed over escalating violence in Afghanistan -- AFP
'Alarming' rise in Afghan violence, says UN -- BBC
UN Chief: Security in Afghanistan Has Not Improved -- ABC News
UN Secretary-General: Afghan Violence Up Significantly -- Voice of America
U.N.: Security remains unstable as Afghanistan works for reform -- CNN

Afghanistan: 3 More Americans Killed -- New York Times/AP
Gunfire kills French soldier in Afghanistan -- CNN
French soldier killed in Afghanistan, among 5 NATO troops killed in a single day -- Canadian Press
Militants kill NATO soldier in Afghanistan: alliance -- AFP
Four NATO soldiers killed in Afghan south -- AFP
Taliban commander killed in Afghan raid -- CNN
Fewer Afghan civilians hurt: NATO -- Reuters

Pakistan, Afghanistan begin talks about dealing with insurgents -- Washington Post
Afghan informers play dangerous game in Taliban heartland -- AFP
Anti-Taliban tribal militias come with baggage -- L.A. Times
U.S. military criticized for purchase of Russian copters for Afghan air corps -- Washington Post
U.S. Reportedly Under Fire for Buying Russian Helicopters for Afghan Air Corps -- FOX News

Afghanistan Contains Treasure Trove of Valuable Minerals, Report Finds -- PBS
Afghanistan's Rich Mineral Deposits: Aerogeophysical Survey Provides Promising Prospects of Economic Development -- Science Daily
Afghanistan pins hopes on dams for power and crops -- Yahoo News/Reuters

In Britain's exhausting Boer War, a parallel for Afghanistan -- Washington Post
A war we're not winning in Afghanistan -- San Francisco Chronicle
Endgame in Afghanistan -- Dawn

US military deaths in Afghan region at 1,036 -- AP