Afghanistan War News Updates -- November 17, 2010

ZABUL BRIDGE - Military engineers inspect a bridge project on Highway 1 during a quality assurance, quality control visit in Afghanistan's Zabul province, Nov. 15, 2010. The engineers are assigned to Provincial Reconstruction Team Zabul and 2nd Stryker Calvary Regiment. Zabul team members work with the country's government to improve governance, stability and development throughout the province. U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Brian Ferguson

Afghanistan Could Face 'Eye-Watering Violence' After Troops Leave -- The Guardian

Nato representative in Kabul says 2014 deadline for ending combat role might not be met.

Afghanistan could experience "eye-watering" levels of violence after foreign combat troops withdraw from Afghanistan in four years' time, the Nato representative in Kabul warned today.

Mark Sedwill, the civilian counterpart to US commander General David Petraeus, also said that the target of handing over security responsibilities to the Afghan army and police by the end of 2014 might not be met.

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More News On Afghanistan

Afghan handover could run past 2015 in some areas: NATO -- Yahoo News/Reuters
NATO Combat in Afghanistan May Go On Past 2014 -- CBS/AP
Under new plan, U.S. troops will stay in Afghanistan till 2014 -- McClatchy News
US to focus on 2014 Afghan withdrawal at NATO meet -- AFP
NATO eyes 2011 handover of some Afghan provinces -- Yahoo News/AFP
Obama expected to announce 2014 target for Afghan transition -- The Hill
Afghan handover could go past 2015 in some areas: NATO -- Foreign Policy
Afghanistan: Is 2014 the new 2011 for Pentagon war planners? -- Christian Science Monitor

Obama's day: Looking at Afghanistan and Pakistan -- USA Today
Obama Convenes Afghanistan-Pakistan Situation Room Meeting -- RTT News
Obama to hold Af-Pak situation room meeting today -- Hindustan Times

Karzai criticism 'not helpful,' NATO envoy says, citing progress in war -- Washington Post
Gates Sees No Gap With Karzai on Afghan War Strategy -- New York Times/Reuters

8 Fort Campbell soldiers killed in Afghanistan -- Miami Herald/AP
Afghanistan's linchpin: Kandahar -- Christian Science Monitor
Kabul Is Offered Wider Role in U.S. Missions -- Wall Street Journal
NATO Is Razing Booby-Trapped Afghan Homes -- New York Times
Canada to End Combat Role in Afghanistan at End of 2011 -- New York Times
New French defence minister says Afghanistan a trap -- Reuters

NATO reads weakness in Taliban leader Mullah Omar's annual Eid statement -- Christian Science Monitor
Mullah Omar rejects reports of peace talks, highlights Taliban strategy -- Long War Journal
Full text of Mullah Omar's statement -- Threat Matrix

In Afghanistan, Can NATO's 'Security Bubbles' Last? -- Rachel Martin, NPR
A longer plan to wind down Afghanistan war -- San Francisco Chronicle editorial