Afghanistan War News Updates -- August 2, 2010

U.S. Army 1st Lt. David T. Broyles watches as his men leave Observation Post Rocky with Afghan National Army Soldiers in Kunar province, Afghanistan, July 19, 2010. U.S. Army photo by Staff Sgt. Gary A. Witte

'Modest Goal' Set For War -- Washington Times

Obama targets terrorists, forgoes nation-building.

The Obama administration and leading Democrats are dialing back expectations for the Afghanistan war, saying that their goal is to root out terrorists, not engage in a major nation-building project.

"Nobody thinks that Afghanistan is going to be a model Jeffersonian democracy," Mr. Obama said during an interview broadcast on CBS' "Sunday Morning" program.

Read more ....

More News On Afghanistan

US officials say war goals modest in Afghanistan -- Yahoo News/AP
Obama: Goals In Afghanistan Attainable And Modest -- New York Times/Reuters
Obama says his 'modest' Afghan aims can be achieved -- AFP
Obama on Afghanistan: 'We now have a strategy that can work' -- USA Today

Gates Says U.S. Troops Not Vacating Afghanistan Next Year -- Radio Free Europe
Gates hints at a gradual Afghanistan drawdown -- L.A. Times
US: Afghan pullout to be limited -- Al Jazeera
Pelosi, Gates Diverge Over Afghanistan Troop Withdrawal -- FOX News

Dutch troops end Afghanistan deployment -- BBC
Dutch withdraw from Afghanistan -- Deutsche Welle
Dutch troops leave Afghanistan after four years -- AFP
Netherlands - first NATO member to leave Afghanistan -- Radio Netherlands

Critical U.S. battle begins in Afghanistan amid many doubts -- McClatchy News
Amid backdrop of uncertainty, crucial battle begins in southern Afghanistan -- Kansas City
New Afghanistan focus targets insurgents, not 'nation-building' -- Seattle Times/New York Times
U.S.-led coalition finds 'success' elusive in Kandahar -- McClatchy News
Irrigation project aims to help Kandahar thrive again -- L.A. Times
British troops continue Afghanistan push -- The Telegraph
Two British soldiers killed in Afghanistan -- The Guardian
Taliban don't have stinger missiles: Gates -- AFP
Targeted Killing Is New U.S. Focus in Afghanistan -- New York Times
US to build-up forces for push against Haqqani network: Gates -- Indian Express

Is the U.S. Presence in Afghanistan Worth It? -- CBS News
Kiss This War Goodbye -- Frank Rich, New York Times
Pentagon brass talk Afghan goals -- Politico