Afghanistan War News Updates -- January 7, 2011

BUNKER VIEW - U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Paul Deugan, left, and Sgt. Drew Russell scan their sector while Russell uses a M249 automatic weapon at Vehicle Patrol Base Dandarh in Afghanistan's Parwan province, Jan. 01, 2011. Deugan and Russell, assigned to 1st Squadron, 113 Cavalry Regiment, visited the base to build up the base defense and to conduct dismounted patrols through surrounding villages to ensure security. U.S. Army photo by Spc. Kristina Gupton

Gates Announces Afghanistan Troop Increase Only Months Before Drawdown -- Christian Science Monitor

US Defense Secretary Robert Gates announced the deployment of additional troops to Afghanistan to protect gains as fighting increases with the spring snow melt.

The US will send an additional 1,400 Marines to Afghanistan in anticipation of intensified fighting in the spring as winter snow melts and fighters return form havens in Pakistan. The unexpected announcement came as the British defense secretary said that anticipated British troop pullouts this year were not a guarantee.

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More News On Afghanistan

Attacks in Afghanistan kill 3 NATO-led troops -- Times Online/Reuters
Allied surge fails to dent Taliban -- Press Association
1,400 More Marines Headed to Afghanistan -- ABC News
More Than 1,000 Extra Marines To Be Deployed in Afghanistan -- New York Times
Afghan War Push Will Add 1,400 U.S. Marines to Maintain Gains -- Bloomberg
US to Send 1,400 More Marines to Afghanistan -- Voice of America
US sending 1,400 more Marines to Afghanistan -- AFP
US to send 1,400 additional marines to Afghanistan -- BBC

Taliban Suicide Bomber Kills Police Official -- New York Times
Suicide attack kills 17 in southern Afghanistan -- CTV
Blast in southern Afghanistan kills 17 -- Reuters
Afghan suicide bomber kills 17 in bath house -- BBC
At least 17 killed, over 20 injured in explosion in southern Afghanistan's bathhouse -- RIA Novosti

Afghans, U.S. to Boost Local Security -- Wall Street Journal
Pakistan, Afghanistan plan peace talks -- ABC News Online (Australia)
Pakistani, Afghan Tribal Elders to Hold Meeting -- Voice of America
Afghan War Costs Soar As Sec. Robert Gates Adds Troops, Proposes Cuts -- Neon tommy
Teenage soldier killed in friendly fire in Afghanistan was shot 'due to communication breakdown' coroner says -- The Daily Mail
Fear of Taliban keeps villagers from reporting IEDs -- Montreal Gazette/Post Media news
Nato victory in Afghanistan requires political will -- Con Coughlin, The Telegraph