Afghanistan War News Updates -- February 8, 2012

U.S. Marine Cpl. Cameron Collier sweeps an alley during a security patrol in the Garmsir district in Afghanistan's Helmand province, Feb. 6, 2012. Collier is a combat engineer assigned to Weapons Company, 3rd Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment. Marines from his unit and Afghan soldiers partnered to conduct census operations, and search houses for illegal drugs and evidence of insurgent activity. U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Reece Lodder

What Happens When Troops - And Money - Leave Afghanistan? -- Christian Science Monitor

The drawdown of foreign troops – now slated for 2013 – could destabilize Afghanistan's economy – or, according to some, help stem rampant corruption.

After three decades of conflict, Afghanistan has a complicated relationship with war.

No one wants the fighting to continue. But many are worried what will happen if the foreign aid, social opportunity, and, in some parts of Afghanistan, relative security the fighting has brought ends.

Read more ....

More News On Afghanistan

Combined Force Captures Taliban Leader -- US Department of Defense
ISAF Joint Command morning operational update - February 8, 2012 -- ISAF
War In Afghanistan News 8 February 2012 -- War on Terror News
Marine to receive Silver Star for bravery in Afghanistan -- L.A. Times
Pentagon Says Afghanistan War Costs Dip as Surge Troops Leave -- Bloomberg Businessweek
Scots soldiers rebuilding Afghanistan after war -- BBC
Afghan chief Karzai arises as obstacle to U.S. talks with Taliban -- L.A. Times
U.S. aims for Afghan talks breakthrough at May summit -- Reuters
NATO, Afghan and Pakistan Officials to Hold Border Talks -- New York Times/Reuters
Afghanistan's Cultural Riches Threatened By Mineral Wealth -- Radio Free Europe

Kabul Experiences Coldest Weather in 15 Years -- ABC News/AP
Afghan Officials Question Reports of Children Dying in Camps -- New York Times
Killer winter hits Kabul Photo gallery) -- DAWN
In Pictures: Afghan refugees face icy chill -- Al Jazeera

After 10 years in Afghanistan, success depends on where you’re standing -- Graeme Smith, Globe and Mail
Afghans Worried About Early Exit Of French Troops -- NPR
Afghans Hedge Bets Amid Mixed Messages From U.S. -- NPR
Afghanistan -- End game or no game? -- UPI
Behind the Cover Story: Luke Mogelson on the U.S. Endgame in Afghanistan -- New York Times
Afghanistan's future? Same as it ever was: Bloody -- L.A. Times
The Afghanistan equation: U.S. + Taliban + Pakistan = peace? -- L.A. Times editorial
The Afghanistan turnaround that never happened -- Tod Robberson, Dallas News
Obama's Fading Afghanistan Strategy -- David J. Karl, Asia Sentinel

US military deaths in Afghanistan at 1,769 -- Yahoo News/AP