Afghanistan War News Updates -- July 9, 2011

Marines patrol Sangin district of Helmand province, Afghanistan. Credit: Marine Corps

Marine General Says U.S. Succeeding In Afghanistan But Gains Not Yet 'Irreversible' -- L.A. Times

The top Marine in Afghanistan says the Marines from Camp Pendleton and other bases, along with troops from coalition nations, are successfully thwarting a Taliban counter-offensive in Helmand province and also training Afghan forces to ultimately take responsibility for protecting the province.

But he wishes the Kabul government would increase its efforts to provide services to villagers in the province, particularly in Sangin where the Marines ousted the Taliban after months of fighting.

Read more ....

More News On Afghanistan

Defense Secretary Leon Panetta Arrives in Afghanistan on Surprise Visit -- ABC News
US Defense Chief Panetta in surprise visit to Kabul -- Yahoo News/AFP
Pentagon chief Panetta on first Afghanistan visit -- Miami Herald

ISAF Joint Command morning operational update -- Dvids
Rogue Afghan Guard Kills 2 NATO Troops -- Voice of America
US troops killed in Afghanistan -- BBC
Source: Afghan guard shoots dead 2 US troops -- MSNBC
Afghan guard shoots dead NATO soldier, civilian -- Seattle PI/AP
2 Americans killed in Afghanistan -- CNN
ISAF Personnel Killed in Fight in Afghanistan’s Panjshir Area -- Bloomberg
Afghan sniper killed two British soldiers with one devastating shot -- Daily Mail
Soldiers shot by insurgent 'sharpshooter' - inquest -- BBC

ISAF nations follow US lead, announce early troop drawdowns -- Long War Journal
Canada wraps up combat operations in Afghanistan -- Montreal Gazette/Postmedia News
Canadians leave Kandahar; Taliban joyful -- UPI

Tribal skirmish threatens broader coalition campaign in Afghanistan -- Stars and Stripes
Night Raids Curbing Taliban, but Afghans Cite Civilian Toll -- New York Times
Face of Defense: Marine Mentors Afghan Border Police -- U.S. Department of Defense
Report: Contract for Afghan police training still lacks controls -- Stars and Stripes

Playing The Get-Out-Of-Sanctions Card -- Strategy Page
Snatching Defeat from the Jaws of Victory in Afghanistan? -- Oliver North, FOX News