Afghanistan War News Updates -- June 25, 2010

PRESS CONFERENCE - Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates, left, and Navy Adm. Mike Mullen, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, talk to reporters during a Pentagon press conference about President Barack Obama's decision to accept the resignation of Army Gen. Stanley A. McChrystal. Gates and Mullen said they fully endorsed the president's decision. June 24, 2010. DoD photo by R. D. Ward

Gates: U.S. Not 'Bogged Down' In Afghanistan -- USA Today

WASHINGTON — Defense Secretary Robert Gates said Thursday that the United States and its allies are not "bogged down" in Afghanistan despite the delay of a planned offensive in the southern city of Kandahar. The remarks come one day after President Obama relieved the commander of allied forces in Afghanistan, Gen. Stanley McChrystal, and nominated Gen. David Petraeus to replace him.

U.S. officials worked to allay concerns that the abrupt change reflects any lack of commitment on the part of the White House or flaws in its strategy.

Obama said the United States will "not miss a beat" as a result of the change.

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More News On Afghanistan

Obama hedges on July 2011 drawdown date for Afghanistan, giving leeway to Gen. Petraeus -- New York Daily News
Obama: No Change in US Afghan Policy -- Voice of America
Obama says he is 'confident' in war leadership -- Washington Post
Defense Chief Reiterates US Commitment to Afghan Mission -- Voice of America
McChrystal Firing Underscores Afghan Strategy Concerns -- Voice of America
As Generals Change, Afghan Debate Narrows to 2 Powerful Voices -- New York Times

Taliban behead 11 Afghan civilians: police -- AFP
Bodies found beheaded in southern Afghanistan -- AP
In Kandahar, It Will Take A Village To Oust Taliban -- NPR
The deadliest month in war on Taliban: As four British servicemen die, PM warns of 'difficult summer' -- The Daily Mail
UK bolsters troop numbers in insurgent stronghold in Afghanistan amid fierce fighting -- Canadian Press

Afghanistan: Five key dates ahead -- Yahoo News/Politico
Afghanistan: The US surge to nowhere -- Rediff
Obama's Afghan Issue: Not a General, but a War Plan -- Tony Karon, Time Magazine
What to Expect From General Petraeus -- New York Times editorial
Who lost Afghanistan? -- Jeffrey Kuhner, Washington Times
The myth that Afghanistan is our longest war -- Jack Lott, American Thinker