Track-It Afghanistan

Nov. 20--Bernard Finel is a senior fellow at the American Security Project, a nonpartisan group of retired senators, congressmen, senior government officials, retired military leaders and academics devoted to analyzing U.S. national security... Read more

HALIFAX, Nova Scotia — The United States will do its part to reduce corruption in Afghanistan by examining its own contracts and projects, even as it is demanding the same from the Afghan government, Defense Secretary Robert Gates said Friday.... Read more

Nov. 20--Antonio Johnson deployed to Afghanistan in August with 4th Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division of Fort Bragg, N.C. Read more

HALIFAX, Nova Scotia — U.S. Sen. John McCain predicted success in the Afghan war effort Friday if President Barack Obama makes a decision quickly to send the reinforcements requested by his top commander there. Read more

Nov. 20--President Barack Obama is criticized for dawdling. Half of us want him to send more troops, as requested by Gen. Stanley McChrystal. The other half wants him to noticeably reduce our military presence. Read more

The following editorial appeared in the Dallas Morning News on Thursday, Nov. 19:

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President Barack Obama continues to impress the world with his vision, confidence and clarity of thought, which helps explain why he seems to draw wild, enthusiastic crowds as he crisscrosses the globe. Read more

KABUL — A suicide bomber killed 16 people and wounded at least 23 others Friday in a busy city square in western Afghanistan, while near Kabul a powerful former warlord narrowly escaped an assassination attempt, officials said. Read more

ISLAMABAD — Pakistan expressed fear Friday that a large increase in foreign troops in Afghanistan could push militants across the border into its territory and called on the U.S. to factor in that concern as part of its new war strategy. Read more

KABUL — Underpaid, under-equipped and under-trained, Afghanistan's 93,000-member police force is the weak link in an ambitious security strategy to hand over defense of the country to Afghans so American and other foreign troops can go home.... Read more

Nov. 20--Shawn Patrick Hefner was promoted to be a Marine lance corporal on Nov. 1 and scheduled to return to his home base at Camp Lejeune, N.C., sometime next week. Read more