Afghanistan War News Updates -- August 18, 2010

U.S. Army Capt. Michael Thurman, center, listens as Kokaran village elder Haji Fadi Mohammed complains about a raid that had taken place the day before in his neighborhood carried out by coalition forces. (Rick Loomis / Los Angeles Times / May 23, 2010)

'Three Cups Of Tea' A Byword For U.S. Effort To Win Afghan Hearts And Minds -- L.A. Times

'Three cups of tea' has entered the U.S. troop lexicon as shorthand for a trust-building chat with locals. It is drawn from the bestseller by Greg Mortenson, who sets up girls schools in the region.

Reporting from Pul-e-Kheshti, Afghanistan — "So, did you have your three cups of tea?" a U.S. infantryman, bulky in body armor, asked another soldier as he emerged from the mud-brick home of an Afghan village elder.

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More News On Afghanistan

Afghan protesters block highway over 'civilian' killings -- AFP
Anti-US protest blocks highway in east Afghanistan -- AP
Afghan villagers protest night raid -- Al Jazeera
Afghan protesters say dead insurgents were civilians -- Reuters
Taliban attack Afghan official's home, killing 2 -- AFP
NATO air strike kills Taliban commander in Kandahar -- Xinhuanet
Coalition forces seize anti-aircraft rounds in raid -- CTV
Makeshift Taliban prison found in southern Afghanistan -- CNN
FACTBOX-Security developments in Afghanistan, Aug 18 -- Reuters

Afghanistan Orders Ban on Private Security Firms -- New York Times/Reuters
Karzai Orders Guard Firms to Disband -- Washington Post
Officials Work To Fix Private Contractor Dilemma In Afghanistan -- NPR
Afghan president to eliminate private security within 4 months -- L.A. Times
If Afghanistan dissolves security firms, guards will join Taliban, some predict -- Washington Post

Afghan executions point to widespread Taliban control -- Washington Times
Karzai Condemns Stoning Of Afghan Couple For Adultery -- New York Times/Reuters
Afghanistan war: What the Taliban is doing about its image problem -- Christian Science Monitor

Medvedev talks with Afghan, Pakistani leaders -- AP
Medvedev Talks With Afghan, Pakistani Leaders -- NPR
Karzai says Afghanistan needs Russia's support -- Reuters
Russia to Host Afghan And Pakistani Leaders -- New York Times/Reuters

In Afghanistan, Kerry says Karzai must lead 'tangible' effort against corruption -- Washington Post
U.S. sends warning to Afghanistan, and John Kerry delivers the message -- L.A. Times

Burger King May Return To Kandahar, Says Petraeus -- Huffington Post
Liberals stand with Afghanistan -- Politico
Making the case for success in Afghanistan -- Washington Post editorial