Afghanistan War News Updates -- February 15, 2014

U.S. Fatalities In Afghanistan Declining -- L.A. Times

As the U.S. withdrawal continues, fewer American troops are dying. But analysts caution that that doesn't necessarily mean the U.S. and its allies are winning the war.

KABUL, Afghanistan — Over the last 25 days, something unusual has happened in Afghanistan: Not one U.S. service member has been killed. The lion's share of the fighting — and dying — is now being done by Afghans.

The last American troop death, from injuries suffered in a December roadside bombing, occurred Jan. 20, marking the longest stretch without a fatality since 2008 and offering a glimmer of evidence that the United States' 11-year war is in its twilight. Deaths among U.S. troops in Afghanistan last year reached a four-year low as commanders hailed a tipping point in a conflict that has claimed more than 2,100 American lives.

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More News On Afghanistan

Ex-district spy chief among 2 killed in Kunar explosion -- Khaama Press
Afghan leader demands explanation from US commander over airstrike that killed civilians -- Washington Post/AP
Taliban group use civilians as human shields: ISAF -- Khaama Press
Airstrike In Afghanistan Renews Concerns Over Civilian Casualties -- NPR
Afghan air force desperate for aircraft: commander -- Global Post/AFP
Amos: Afghan troops taking charge in Helmand -- Washington Times
Security transition well underway, ANSF leading operations -- ISAF
Afghanistan's Female Special Forces Break New Ground In Ultraconservative Country -- Huffington Post/AP
Pakistani Council to Skip Kabul Talks -- Wall Street Journal
Fewer Afghan troops could yield more Taliban violence, Senate panel told -- CNN
War's wind-down fraught with risk for troops, Afghans -- L.A. Times
Main Hurdle in Afghan Withdrawal: Getting the Gear Out -- New York Times
Moving gear difficult in Afghan withdrawal -- UPI
Obama plan to cut US troops in Afghanistan invites comparisons to Iraq -- Washington Post/AP
Afghans skeptical of Obama troop withdrawal -- Deutsche Welle
As U.S. Withdraws Troops, Fears That Afghan Aid Will Dry Up -- New York Times
US on same page with Afghanistan, Pakistan: official -- DAWN
Afghanistan the most dangerous country for journalists: CPJ -- Khaama Press
Valentine wish: Can love conquer war in battle-weary Afghanistan? -- NBC
Winding up the war? -- The Nation
Afghanistan peace talks: 'The ball is now in the Taliban court' -- Lyse Doucet, BBC
Bringing the troops home, but not soon enough -- John Isaacs and Usha Sahay, The Hill