US Special Forces Village Units to Expand in Afghanistan

"The U.S. military is drawing up plans to sharply expand a network of village security forces across Afghanistan, a program U.S. officials say could be a cost-effective way to make up for shortages in the regular army and police in rural areas. But the U.S. needs a green light from Afghan President Hamid Karzai, who has long been wary because such local forces could potentially threaten his government's authority unless they are kept in close check." 

Read the rest of the story in "U.S. Builds Afghan Village Force", Wall Street Journal, January 22, 2011.