Afghanistan War News Updates -- August 26, 2011

U.S. Army Black Chinook helicopters take off from the landing zone of the FOB Bostick in Naray district at Kunar province, eastern Afghanistan, August 23, 2011. (REUTERS/Nikola Solic)

In Helping Afghanistan Build Up Its Security Forces, U.S. Is Trimming The Frills -- Washington Post

MEHTERLAM, Afghanistan — The commander of NATO’s elaborate and expensive effort to build the Afghan security forces, Lt. Gen. William B. Caldwell, was standing inside the bathroom of a police training school in this obscure eastern town, looking at the sinks. He did not like what he saw.

“Every time I walk into someplace and see a porcelain sink, I cringe,” he said.

That’s because Caldwell is tasked with making the Afghan army and police capable of holding off the Taliban — but in a way the United States can afford. Growing political concern in the United States over the high cost of the American mission has made for a blunt new imperative: The Afghan security forces, which cost the United States $11.6 billion this year, need to get cheaper — fast.

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More News On Afghanistan

FACTBOX-Security developments in Afghanistan, Aug 26 -- Reuters
4 NATO Troops Killed in Afghanistan -- Voice of America
Police: Bomb explodes at outdoor mosque, kills 4 -- AP
Eastern Afghanistan Improves, Commander Reports -- US Department of Defense
Karzai, Allen Condemn Paktia Province Attack -- US Department of Defense
Chinook helicopter most susceptible to Taliban ground fire -- Washington Times
Inside Afghanistan’s Deadly Copter War -- Danger Room
Calm in the midst of chaos is lifesaving protocol for medevac crew in southern Afghanistan -- Stars and Stripes
Marines train Afghan police to handle special tactics missions -- Dvids
Commanders of NATO forces in Afghanistan express gratitude to Lithuania for the support -- Defpro
Defense employee arrested in Ga. on bribery charge -- Stars and Stripes/AP
Afghanistan Turns To The Northern Distribution Network -- Strategy Page
Devoted dog guards Navy SEAL's coffin -- The Telegraph
Funeral for U.S. troops killed in Afghanistan set for Friday -- CNN
Afghans Stone to Death Taliban Insurgents: Vengeance or Anti-Taliban Insurgency? -- Faheem Haider, Foreign Policy Association
Think-tank downbeat on Afghan peace -- Yahoo News/AFP
Probity, not arms, is Afghanistan's best defence -- Michael Breen, The Guardian
Pics From The Front… -- Weasel Zippers