Afghanistan War News Updates -- January 31, 2013

U.S. soldiers and Afghan border police depart Observation Point 12 along the Afghanistan-Pakistan border and head to the landing zone for an awaiting UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter in Kunar province, Afghanistan, Jan. 21, 2013. U.S. Army Photo by Sgt. Jon Heinrich

Congressional Watchdog Questions Size Of Afghan Forces -- Defense News

If the $10 billion in fiscal 2013 funds earmarked for reconstruction efforts in Afghanistan is ever unlocked from congressional budget battles, the total bill for American reconstruction efforts in that country will hit $98 billion, according to a new government watchdog report released Jan. 30.

Roughly $55 billion of that total will have gone toward recruiting, training, equipping and fielding the Afghan National Security Forces (ANSF) alone, the Special Inspector General for Afghanistan Reconstruction (SIGAR) said in its latest quarterly report to Congress.

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More News on Afghanistan

Hagel vague on U.S. presence in Afghanistan -- Washington Post
Combined Force Arrests Taliban Leaders in Helmand Province -- US Department of Defense
22 killed or injured following explosions in Afghanistan -- Khaama Press
Taliban district chief killed in eastern Afghanistan -- Khaama Press
Marines increase rocket strikes in Afghanistan -- Marine Times
Afghan father hands over 'bomber son' to police -- BBC
ISAF, NATO employ tactics against inside threats -- ISAF
Afghan and US officials start 3rd phase of security talks -- Khaama Press
Pakistani Taliban enter fray around strategic NATO routes -- Christian Science Monitor
Afghanistan isn't safe, U.S. warning says -- UPI
Bundestag extends German military mission in Afghanistan -- Deutsche Welle
German Parliament extends Afghan mission by 13 months -- Washington Post/AP
Azerbaijan to withdraw peacekeepers from Afghanistan -- apa.az
Musharraf: Pakistan Can Play 'Critical Role' in Stabilizing Afghanistan -- Voice of America
Kabul religious conference postponed -- UPI
Canadian Army commander reflects on lessons from Afghanistan -- CBC
Afghan Contractor Failings on Bomb Barriers Being Probed -- Bloomberg
As 2014 NATO pullout approaches, more Afghans flee their homeland -- Washington Post
Afghans Bristle at U.S. Ban on Airline -- New York Times
Afghanistan warns Kabul police: Start following traffic rules -- Stars and Stripes
Feeding Afghanistan's TV craze -- CNN
Afghanistan Media Boomed During War, But Faces Uncertain Future As U.S. Withdraws -- Huffington Post
Afghanistan Registers Major Rise In Press-Freedom Index -- Radio Free Europe
First Afghan Youth Orchestra to perform in United States -- Khaama Press
Afghanistan’s First Youth Orchestra to Travel to the U.S. -- Time