News Articles

Sept. 9, 2009

NATO reaffirms commitment to Afghanistan

NORFOLK, Va. – Despite the challenges it faces there, NATO will stay the course during its tough fight in Afghanistan.

Sept. 8, 2009

Gates speaks frankly on Pakistan, Iraq to Al-Jazeera

WASHINGTON, Sept. 8, 2009 – The situation in Pakistan and the way ahead in Iraq were among the issues Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates spoke about with the Arabic television network Al-Jazeera in an interview being broadcast this week. The network’s Washington bureau chief, Abderrahim Foukara, spoke with the secretary Sept. 4.

Sept. 7, 2009

McChrystal promises full accounting of Kunduz strike

WASHINGTON (Sept. 5, 2009) – The commander of the International Security Assistance Force promised Afghans a full accounting of the air strike in Kunduz province Sept. 3.

Sept. 3, 2009

Top leaders assess way forward in Afghanistan

WASHINGTON (Sept. 3, 2009) – Enemies of America remain in Afghanistan, and the United States must stay there to defeat the terrorists, Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates said Thursday.

Sept. 2, 2009

UN: Afghan poppy, opium production on decline

WASHINGTON, Sept. 2, 2009 – Farmers in Afghanistan grew fewer opium poppy plants last year, while opium drug production also declined, according to a United Nations-sponsored report released in Kabul Wednesday.

Sept. 1, 2009

Attacks prompt Iraqi security assessment

WASHINGTON (Sept. 1, 2009) – Iraqi security forces have undertaken a broad self-assessment in the wake of series of deadly attacks in the Iraqi capital last month, a U.S. commander there said Tuesday.

Aug. 31, 2009

Troops capture key Taliban leaders

BAGRAM AIR FIELD (Aug. 31, 2009) – Afghan forces and NATO-led International Security Assistance troops captured two key Taliban leaders, including a commander, during a joint operation in the Kanday village of Chapa Dara district in Afghanistan’s Kunar province Aug. 29.

Aug. 27, 2009

Former insurgents gain employment in Iraq

WASHINGTON (Aug. 27, 2009) – Several years ago, tens of thousands of Sunni fighters considered themselves enemies of the Iraqi government and its U.S. conspirators, but after switching allegiances, these former insurgents now are filling the ranks of Iraq’s ministries and armed forces.

Aug. 26, 2009

Petraeus: 'Tough fighting' ahead in Afghanistan

WASHINGTON, Aug. 26, 2009 – The commander of U.S. Central Command said tough fighting lies ahead in Afghanistan, where the Taliban and other extremists have expanded their strength and influence, but he cautioned that success there demands more than battlefield victories.

Aug. 25, 2009

Troops disrupt insurgent communications

WASHINGTON, Aug. 24, 2009 – U.S. forces conducted an air assault to disrupt insurgent communication and an Afghan civilian thwarted a bomb attack in operations in Afghanistan yesterday, military officials reported.