Thursday, February 2, 2012

Coverage Roundup: Afghanistan and Pakistan

It was a busy day for news from Afghanistan and Pakistan. Here is a roundup of coverage from The New York Times:
  • Panetta Sets End to Afghan Combat Role for U.S. in ’13 | In a major milestone toward ending a decade of war in Afghanistan, Defense Secretary Leon E. Panetta said on Wednesday that American forces would step back from a combat role there as early as mid-2013, more than a year before all American troops are scheduled to come home. Mr. Panetta cast the decision as an orderly step in a withdrawal process long planned by the United States and its allies, but his comments were the first time that the United States had put a date on stepping back from its central role in the war. Read the article here.
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  • NATO Plays Down Report of Collaboration Between Taliban and Pakistan | A spokesman for the NATO-led coalition on Wednesday confirmed the existence of a report that summarizes the views of Taliban detainees, who claim that they are winning the war thanks to cooperation from some Afghan government officials and soldiers and who say their movement is controlled by Pakistan’s intelligence service. Read the article here.
  • Pakistan Reveals Prime Minister Was Sent Anthrax | Pakistan’s prime minister, Yousaf Raza Gilani, received a postal package containing anthrax spores four months ago, his spokesman said Wednesday, adding a new dimension to the security threats faced by the country’s political and military leadership. Read the article here.
  • Man Dressed as Afghan Soldier Kills NATO Service Member | A NATO soldier was killed in southern Afghanistan when a man wearing an Afghan Army uniform turned his gun on him, the international coalition said Wednesday. The shooting appeared to be the latest in a mounting number of episodes in which Afghan soldiers or police officers — or insurgents wearing official uniforms — have opened fire on personnel of the American-led coalition. Read the article here.

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