Report Says Tide is Turning in Southern Afghanistan

An editor at Reuters writes on the war in southern Afghanistan and discusses a recent war report published by the the American Enterprise Institute and the Institute for the Study of War.  The report is somewhat optimistic in its outlook and the editor takes a stab at evaluating the report. See "Is the tide turning in southern Afghanistan?", Afghan Journal, Reuters.

US Pushes Local Governance in Southern Afghanistan

The US military is trying to expand local government as rapidly as possible in southern Afghanistan during the winter months - traditionally a period where there is a decrease in fighting.  Read more in "US rushes to build local governments in southern Afghanistan before expected spring offensive", Google Hosted News, January 13, 2011.

Offensive in Kandahar (Operation Omid) Was Costly in Terms of Property of Afghan Villagers

The offensive in Kandahar over the past several months was costly in terms of property damage.  The estimates of how much property damage is widely disputed.  Read more on this in "Afghan Panel and U.S. Dispute War's Toll on Property", The New York Times, January 13, 2011.

Some British Forces Now Working in Maiwand District of Kandahar Province

The Household Cavalry are now working in Maiwand District of Kandahar Province in Afghanistan.  Read more in "British troops move out of Helmand", The Guardian, January 7, 2011.

Work Schemes Help Keep Zahri District of Kandahar Safe

Along with military operations to clear the Taliban forces operating in rural areas - the coalition is using work schemes where the local population can work on development projects and earn money.  It is hoped that this will help turn the tide in the counterinsurgency fight.  Read more about this work scheme in Zahri District of Kandahar in "US troops wage war with cash in Afghanistan", Google Hosted News, January 10, 2011.

More Marines to be Sent to Afghanistan

There are plans to send an additional 1,400 Marines to Afghanistan to consolidate gains made on the ground in areas around Kandahar. Read more in "US sends in the marines to Afghanistan", The Australian, January 8, 2011.

Ghulam Haider Hamidi of Afghanistan

A mayor of a major city in Afghanistan talks about the difficulties of pleasing everyone and staying safe.  Some say he is corrupt and a tool for the Karzai famly; others see him as an idealist who will not accomplish much.  See "Corrupt leaders trump Taliban", The Washington Post, January 6, 2011.

1-22 Infantry in Afghanistan

A writer for TIME is following the deployment of the 1-22 Infantry in Afghanistan.  The unit is in southern Afghanistan and is working with the Afghan National Civil Order Police (ANCOP).  Read his article in "The Afghan Diaries: The Long Blooding of the 1-22 Infantry", TIME, January 5, 2010.

Report on Counterinsurgency Effort in Kandahar (2010 Hamkari Campaign)

The Institute for the Study of War has issued a comprehensive report on the counterinsurgency effort in Kandahar known as the Hamkari Campaign.  The link below will take you to an Executive Summary and also give you access to the entire document.  See "Counterinsurgency in Kandahar: Evaluating the 2010 Hamkari Campaign" (December 2010).

Kandahar: Taliban Suffer Setbacks But . . .

A news article explores the tactical gains that the coalition forces have made in Kandahar but worries that the Afghan government is not taking advantage of the situation.  There are fears the gains will be lost when the Taliban resume the fight in the spring. Read more - "In deadly Kandahar, skepticism over gains cited in Afghan war review", The Christian Science Monitor, December 16, 2010.

Bill Harris - Senior Diplomat for Kandahar Province - Provides Insight to War

Bill Harris, at one time the senior diplomat for Kandahar Province, has returned to the states after a one-year long tour of duty in Afghanistan. In this news article he provides his perspective on the Afghan War - including what we are doing right and what we are doing wrong. Read his thoughts on the war in "Civilian leader: This is our war to lose", Colorado Springs Independent, December 23, 2010.

Military Campaign in Southern Afghanistan Taking Its Toll on Taliban

The military operations of the past several months have taken its toll on the Taliban in southern Afghanistan.  Read more in "Afghan Taliban leadership splintered by intense US military campaign", The Guardian, December 22, 2010.

ATCO Wins NATO Contract for Support Services in Kandahar

ATCO Structures and Logistics has been awarded a contract to provide support and utility services to NATO at the Kandahar Airfield.  They will handle life support systems at the base.  Read more in "ATCO Wins NATO Contract for Military Camp Support Services at Kandahar Airport", American Consumer News, December 1, 2010.

A Correspondent Writes on Progress in Kandahar

A correspondent revisits Kandahar - comparing today to a visit in 2000.  See "Ex-Taliban: From death threat to hope", CNN, December 15, 2010.

The Karzai Clan of Kandahar, Afghanistan

Led by Hamid Karzai's half-brother, the Karzai clan is consolidating its hold over the Kandahar area.  While supposedly fighting the Taliban - it is more likely that the Karzai's are lining their pockets for now and the future.  There are actually three governments vying for control of Kandahar.  There is the half-hearted attempt by the inept and corrupt Afghan government propped up by the coalition forces, there is the Taliban "shadow government" most ascendent in the rural areas around Kandahar and there is the Karzai clan and its associated allies.  Read more in "US embassy cables: President Karzai's half-brother is kingpin of Kandahar", The Guardian, December 2, 2010.

Taliban to Continue Fighting During Winter Season in Kandahar According to Noorzai Elder

According to a Noorzai elder the Taliban plan to continue their fight through the winter months.  Typically the winter season slows down the pace of the war but recent statements from the Taliban indicated this might change.  Read more in "Taliban vows to keep fighting this winter", The Globe and Mail, November 21, 2010.

Struggle for Villages and Towns Around Kandahar

The importance of the fight in and around Kandahar cannot be over-emphasized.  However, the fight for Kandahar is not control of the skies, limiting IED attacks (as important as that is), or setting up checkpoints.  The real struggle is for the support of the Afghan population for the district, provincial, and central government - and the Afghan Security Forces (ASF).  The fight for Kandahar is currently being waged in the villages and towns outside of the city where in most cases the coalition and Afghan forces control the terrain during the day and the Taliban control the terrain at night with night letters, intimidation, and assassinations.  Read more about the fight in the towns and villages in "Afghanistan's three parallel wars", The Observer, November 14, 2010.

NATO War Planners Want Additional Help from Australia in Kandahar Province

NATO war planners are looking for other nations to plug the gap that the Canadian forces will leave in Kandahar Province once their withdrawal is complete next year.  Australia has been approached for more ground troops.  Read more in "NATO to ask for more Diggers, defence sources say", The Australian, November 18, 2010.

IEDs a Constant Problem in Kandahar

IEDs have become the primary threat to coalition forces conducting operations in Kandahar.  The US has spent billions of dollars trying to defeat the IED threat but the Taliban have still managed to deploy the bombs and cause many deaths and injuries.  Read more on this topic in "Taliban-placed IEDs threaten lives and stability in Kandahar, Afghanistan", The Christian Science Monitor, November 17, 2010.

Operation Dragon Strike - Different Views of Outcome

Operation Dragon Strike has concluded in the Kandahar region of Afghanistan.  A reporter has commented on the success (and failures) of this major operation.  Read more in "U.S. Thrust Has Unintended Effect on Kandahar City", NPR, November 12, 2010.