Afghanistan War News Updates -- May 20, 2013

U.S. Army Spc. Matt Cullen, right, conducts a mission brief before departing Forward Operating Base Farah for a meeting with the Farah City mayor at his office in Farah City, Afghanistan, May 14, 2013. Cullen is assigned to Provincial Reconstruction Team Farah. U.S. Navy photo by Chief Petty Officer Josh Ives

Obama Seeks To Cut Afghan War Spending By 10 Percent -- Reuters

(Reuters) - President Barack Obama on Friday trimmed his funding request for the war in Afghanistan and other overseas operations by 10 percent, reflecting his plans to wind down the U.S. presence in that country.

The president asked for $79.4 billion to fund so-called overseas contingency operations in fiscal 2014, which begins October 1, down from his original $88.5 billion request, a White House aide said. Obama made the request in a letter to Congress.

The U.S. chief executive has said he plans to draw down troops in Afghanistan after 2014 but has not specified by how much.

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More News On Afghanistan

ISAF Joint Command Operational Update, May 20th -- ISAF
Taliban aims victory after NATO pullout from Afghanistan: Azimi -- Khaama Press
Taliban suicide bomber assassinates senior politician in Afghan north -- L.A. Times
Bombing Kills Key Figure in Northern Afghan Province -- New York Times
Suicide bomber strikes outside provincial council in northern Afghanistan, killing 14 -- Washington Post/AP
Suicide bomb attack in northern Afghanistan -- Al Jazeera
Surge in violence hits Afghan police, civilians -- Foreign Policy
Explosions kill or injure 16 in Khost and Paktika provinces -- Khaama Press
10 Afghan local police officers killed or injured in Taliban attack -- Khaama Press
No injuries as C-130 makes hard landing in Afghanistan -- Stars and Stripes
NATO C-130 plane makes hard landing in eastern Afghanistan -- Khaama Press
Fate of US bases depends on Afghanistan’s ability to secure, operate them -- Stars and Stripes
Without U.S. helicopters, Afghans struggle to save the wounded -- Washington Post
Afghanistan to purchase An-74 cargo planes for Afghan forces -- Khaama Press
US military praises Pakistani steps to curb fertilizers used in Afghanistan bombs -- FOX News/AP
Marine helps develop Female Engagement Team in Afghanistan -- Stars and Stripes/Danville Register & Bee
Canadian military gear stranded in Afghanistan -- CBC
Karzai seeks Indian military aid amid Pakistan row -- AP
President Karzai Leaves on Two-day State Visit to India -- Khaama Press
India to discuss Afghanistan’s demand on supply of military equipments -- Khaama Press
Karzai Seeks Indian Military Aid Amid Pakistan Row -- Kay Johnson, Real Clear Defense
Afghanistan’s forgotten crisis: its economy -- Financial Times
Pepsi to march in, as foreign troops leave Afghanistan -- Reuters
With end of Afghan war in sight, Europe pushes business -- Reuters
Race to save Afghanistan's Buddhist treasures -- AL Jazeera