Tuesday, January 6, 2015

Daily News Snippets (Jan 6, 2015)


Afghan news outlets report that a EUPOL vehicle was attacked by a suicide bomber on Monday afternoon in east Kabul in PD9 on Pul-e-Charkhi road. Kabul police confirm that 1 civilian is killed and 5 other wounded. Estimates of damage and casualties differ.

A news report examines the implications of drawing down troops to an "unsafe level". Read more in "Taliban sees opportunity to gain ground in Afghanistan", Fox News, January 5, 2015.

On Monday an explosion occurred that killed two civilians and and injured eleven in Zabul province. The explosives were placed on the vehicle of an Afghan security officer - he escaped unharmed.

A reporter visits Tactical Base Gamberi in Laghman province and explores what our troops are doing there. Read "Smaller NATO mission has big job to train Afghan army in time", Reuters, by Kay Johnson, January 5, 2015.

The Afghan government is in the process of conducting a census of the Afghan population. One of the difficulties is that many Afghans have only one name. This is especially true in the more rural areas. Read more in "The Politics of Last Names", The Atlantic, January 5, 2015.

Australia remains committed to the mission in Afghanistan. They will continue to deploy troops for the new training and mentoring mission in Afghanistan. (Daily Mail, Dec 30, 2014).

The Nebraska Air National Guard's 155th Air Refueling Wing is sending about 50 airmen to participate in Operation Resolute Support in Afghanistan and elsewhere in the Middle East. The airmen come from the Security Forces Squadron, Force Support Squadron, and Civil Engineer Squadron. Their deployment will last six months. (Omaha.com, Dec 30, 2014).

Afghan health care is at risk with the decrease coming in international aid. While great strides have been made in the health care sector much work still needs to be done. Critics say that the advances in health care have been exaggerated by some organizations (can you spell USAID?). Read more in "Afghan health care at risk as international aid is scaled back", Stars and Stripes, January 5, 2015.

According to news reports the new F-35 fighter will not be able to fire its 25mm cannon until 2019 - over four years from now. Yet the U.S. Air Force wants to retire the A-10 next year. Hmmmm. Read "New U.S. Stealth Jet Can't Fire Its Gun Until 2019", The Daily Beast, December 31, 2014.

The Afghan Army Chief of Staff, General Sher Mohammad Karimi, recently visited the 203rd ANA Corps headquartered in Paktia province on Monday. The 203rd ANA Corps is responsible for the security in seven southeastern provinces of Afghanistan. Read more about his visit and his comments to the troops in "Gen. Karimi Rallies Troops Ahead of Looming Push Against Insurgents", Tolo News, January 5, 2015.

James Stavridis, a retired 4-star Navy admiral and Dean of the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy at Tufts University , has penned an article about Afghanistan. He sounds optimistic about the ability of the Afghan security forces (with a little help from the Coalition) to "contain the Taliban insurgency". He sees the war lasting for a while. He says that the key to attaining a successful outcome will depend on three things. Read more in "All Is Not Lost in Afghanistan", Foreign Policy, January 5, 2015.

The 215th ANA Corps commander has been replaced by BG Dadan Lawang, a former commander of the 4th Brigade of the ANA 201st Corps in eastern Afghanistan. Lawang also headed the ANA Special Operations Command (ANASOC) for a few years. (Marine Corps Times, January 4, 2015).

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