Afghanistan War News Updates -- June 14, 2012

A U.S. paratrooper armed with an M-14 battle rifle pulls security during combat operations in Afghanistan's Ghazni province, June 4, 2012. U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Michael J. MacLeod

Who Will Lead Afghanistan After Karzai? -- Halima Kazem, Christian Science Monitor

Afghanistan’s next presidential elections are scheduled for 2014. However, President Hamid Karzai recently announced that he may call elections a year earlier.

As US and NATO forces hand over security responsibilities in Afghanistan to the country’s own forces, political parties and presidential hopefuls are preparing for what could be the most pivotal presidential elections in Afghan history.

Although a successful security handover hinges on an effective political transition from the current administration of Afghan President Hamid Karzai to a new leadership, Afghan leaders inside and outside of the government say Mr. Karzai hasn't done enough to set up a political system that will support a new president.

Read more ....

More News On Afghanistan

ISAF Joint Command evening operational update - June 12, 2012 -- ISAF
British soldier killed in Afghanistan grenade blast -- AFP
British soldier killed in grenade blast in Helmand Province as UK forces' death toll in Afghanistan reaches 418 -- Daily Mail
British soldier killed in Afghanistan -- The Guardian
Taliban commander in charge of building and setting up IED roadside bombs shot dead in Afghanistan -- Daily Mail
Taliban chief Fayez Jan killed in Afghanistan -- The Independent
Suicide bomber attack joint Afghan-NATO base in Kunar -- Khaama Press
Combined Forces Seize Large Hashish Caches -- US Department of Defense
Army orders ‘hot pink’ burqas for Afghanistan -- Washington Post
Australia to train Afghan forces after withdrawal of combat forces -- CNN

NATO chief expresses optimism over Afghan security forces -- CTV News/AP
NATO chief says professionalism of Afghan security forces gives him confidence for 2014 -- Washington Post/AP
Nato chief vows not to abandon Afghanistan -- The Telegraph

French Afghanistan pull-out starts 'within weeks' -- The Sun Daily
French president leads funeral for 4 French troops killed in Afghanistan -- Washington Post/AP
French president honors soldiers killed in Afghanistan -- MSNBC

15 countries in Afghanistan’s region try to tackle common threats, problems together -- Washington Post/AP
Talks on Afghanistan's future kicks off in Kabul -- Xinhuanet
Afghanistan's neighbors map strategy beyond 2014 -- Deutsche Welle
Kabul hosts conference on Afghanistan's future -- Bangkok Post
Karzai Urges Cooperation As International Conference Opens -- Radio Free Europe
Karzai urges more international support for Afghanistan -- AFP
Karzai says Afghanistan confident of 2013 transfer -- Reuters

Afghanistan mining wealth thwarted by delays -- The Australian/Wall Street Journal
Washington wants Pak out, India in as Afghanistan mentor -- First Post
Reconciliation with the Taliban: Fracturing the Insurgency -- Jeffrey Dressler, ISW
Life After Karzai: America might not be able to pick a winner in Afghanistan, but at least it can try to block a loser. -- Michael O'Hanlon, Foreign Policy

FACTBOX-Military deaths in Afghanistan -- Chicago Tribune/Reuters