Afghanistan War News Updates -- October 18, 2010

NATO’s new Afghan commander, Gen. David Petraeus (L) meets with Canada’s top field officer, Brig.-Gen. Jon Vance, in this DND handout photo at a heavily fortified checkpoint that has been recently erected to prevent the Taliban from getting into or out of the provincial capital. Petraeus was greeted by Vance as he arrived below the checkpoint. HANDOUT PHOTO: Sgt. Daren Kraus / DND

The Afghan War: Why the Kandahar Campaign Matters -- Time Magazine

U.S. combat operations are now at full tilt across the mud-baked flats of Kandahar province in Afghanistan. After delays over fears of civilian casualties and setbacks in other parts of the southern theater, American-led forces are targeting militant cells that have for years gone unchallenged. The overriding goal is to consolidate security around Kandahar city, the country's second largest and the nerve center of insurgent activity. Military planners are banking that an aggressive tempo in surrounding districts — Arghandab, Zhari, Panjwai — will break their grip. Lieut. Colonel Peter Benchoff, a battalion commander of the 101st Airborne Division deployed in Zhari district, says the goal is nothing less than to "crush [the Taliban's] will."

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More News On Afghanistan

Critical Assault by Allies Begins Near Kandahar -- New York Times
Nato launches major offensive to clear Taliban heartland -- The Independent
Canadians help corral Taliban as major operation begins -- National Post
High Stakes in Renewed Assault on Kandahar -- Max Fisher, The Atlantic
Maj Gen Nick Carter: Long way to go for success in Taliban heartland -- BBC

Swedish soldier killed in Afghanistan roadside bomb blast, 2 more injured -- Canadian Press
NATO Service Member Killed in Southern Afghanistan -- Voice of America
Afghanistan airstrike 'reportedly' kills more than ten -- CNN
10 Taliban Militants Killed In NATO Air Strikes -- RTT News
Nine killed in Afghan convoy attack -- Press Association
8 private security guards die in Afghan clash -- CNN
Taliban kill eight private security guards -- AFP
Afghan Gunmen Kill 9 Guards Protecting NATO Convoy -- New York Times/AP
NATO claims it is choking off insurgents' supplies -- AP
NATO casualties in Afghanistan soaring as 45 service members killed in October -- Xinhuanet
Afghan 2010 troop death toll reaches 593 -- AFP
U.S. military, civilian officials claim progress in Afghan war -- Washington Post
In Afghan South, U.S. Faces Frustrated Residents -- New York Times

NATO probes death of Afghan detainee -- AFP
NATO denies running secret prison in Afghanistan -- Xinhuanet
Stepping Around IEDs: With U.S. Troops in Afghanistan -- Time Magazine
Afghan government allows some private security firms to stay -- AFP
Afghanistan clarifies rules for private security companies -- CNN
Gates Weighs Afghanistan and Leaks -- New York Times
Military medics combine ultramodern and time-honored methods to save lives on the battlefield -- Washington Post

Iran Sends Delegate to Meeting on Afghanistan -- New York Times
U.S. says Iran has a role in Afghan talks -- Yahoo News/Reuters

As anti-corruption measures lag in Afghanistan, U.S. looks to grass-roots effort -- Washington Post
Widespread Fraud Is Seen in Afghan Elections -- New York Times
Afghanistan rescinds thousands of votes amid election fraud probe -- L.A. Times
Ballots voided from 10 pct of Afghan vote centers -- AP

In Afghanistan, the Exit Plan Starts With ‘If’ -- New York Times
Live Aid -- Aryn Baker, Time Magazine
The Road to Negotiations in Afghanistan -- Council On Foreign Relations
Tea in Kabul -- Nicholas Kritstof, New York Times