March 18, 2009

General: War in Afghanistan 'absolutely winnable'

WASHINGTON (March 18, 2009) – The operation in Afghanistan “is absolutely winnable and will be won,” the top U.S. and NATO commander in Afghanistan said yesterday on PBS’s “Jim Lehrer Newshour.” But winning, Army Gen. David D. McKiernan stressed, will take more than military might.

March 18, 2009

Tarmiyah detainee release offers fresh start

TARMIYAH, Iraq (March 18, 2009) — A big, blue bus rolled to a stop here, and Shaman Abdul Hadi stepped off with 15 other men. Hadi, who hadn’t been to Tarmiyah or seen his family for 17 months, was ready for a fresh start. The group returned home thanks to a detainee release facilitated by the 1st Battalion, 111th Infantry Regiment, 56th Stryker “Independence” Brigade Combat Team. As Coalition forces implement the Security Agreement, Hadi and many others are getting another chance to rejoin their communities.

March 12, 2009

Afghan women celebrate culture, achievements

BAGRAM AIRFIELD, Afghanistan (March 12, 2009) – More than 100 Afghan women and girls celebrated their accomplishments and culture during an International Women’s Day celebration March 8 in the Bazarak district of Afghanistan’s Panjshir province.

March 10, 2009

Gates: U.S. won't allow Taliban resurgence in Afghanistan

WASHINGTON, March 11, 2009 – As the United States reviews its strategy in Afghanistan, one thing is certain: The United States won’t let the Taliban threaten the Afghan government and re-establish safe havens there, Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates said on National Public Radio yesterday.

March 9, 2009

Gifted girls enjoy new school

CAMP ECHO, Iraq (March 9, 2009) — Some of Diwaniya’s brightest female students happily participated in their new school’s opening, Feb. 26.

March 6, 2009

Afghan Security Forces shouldering more responsibility

WASHINGTON (March 5, 2009) – The Afghan National Army continues to improve as it assumes more security responsibility, the U.S. commander in charge of the training effort said Wednesday.

March 5, 2009

Coalition, Afghans find goodwill at traditional games

KABUL, Afghanistan – Coalition troops and Afghan villagers built understanding Feb. 20 at the "do-rah" games in Oruzgan province.

March 2, 2009

Troops in Iraq after 2010 to focus on training

WASHINGTON, March 1, 2009 – The U.S. military will conduct “a very different mission” in Iraq after combat troops withdraw in August 2010, with troops slated to remain there through 2011 serving primarily as trainers and advisers, Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates said today on CNBC’s “Meet the Press.”