A HIGH-RANKING Taliban commander has been killed in Afghanistan by a US drone strike. Mullah Abdul Manan Akhund died alongside 29 others on Saturday while he was greeting fighters in the Nawzad district. Joint US and Afghan Special Forces launched the attack, and classed his death as a major success. Akhund was the Taliban's "governor" and military chief for the southern Helmand province. One security official in Kabul said: "He was the most senior Taliban commander in the south and his death will have an overall impact on security." The Taliban said it was a "big loss" for they group, but it would not stop them from tying to regain control of Afghanistan. In a statement, the Taliban said: "Abdul Manan Akhand, was a powerful and brave military commander who cleared 95 per cent of Helmand from invader Americans and their slaves." His death comes as Western-backed security forces have ramped up the pressure to push the Taliban to engage in peace talks. Both sides are trying to find … [Read more...] about Key Taliban commander killed in US drone strike in Afghanistan
Afghanistan
Remains of 3 troops killed in Afghanistan return to US
Updated 10:47 am PST, Friday, November 30, 2018 A U.S. Army carry team moves a transfer case containing the remains of Capt. Andrew P. Ross, Friday, Nov. 30, 2018, at Dover Air Force Base, Del. According to the Department of Defense, Ross, 29, of Lexington, Va., was killed Nov. 27, 2018, by a roadside bomb in Andar, Ghazni Province, Afghanistan. less A U.S. Army carry team moves a transfer case containing the remains of Capt. Andrew P. Ross, Friday, Nov. 30, 2018, at Dover Air Force Base, Del. According to the Department of Defense, Ross, 29, of Lexington, ... more Photo: Patrick Semansky, AP Photo: Patrick Semansky, AP Image 1 of / 15 Caption Close Image 1 of 15 A U.S. Army carry team moves a transfer case containing the remains of Capt. Andrew P. Ross, Friday, Nov. 30, 2018, … [Read more...] about Remains of 3 troops killed in Afghanistan return to US
The only test of success in Afghanistan that truly matters is the freedom of women
The U.S. war in Afghanistan has been compared to Vietnam. It has been called a quagmire, even a failure. There is no doubt that after 17 years of engagement and the loss of more than 2,400 military personnel — not to mention the enormous cost to the nation’s treasury — it is hard to recognize the important, and life-changing, work that America has done in Afghanistan. War is a strange thing in a democracy. There can be a passion for a conflict, but passions fade as people become jaded or simply stop seeing the importance of the sacrifice that armed conflict entails. All of this is relevant now, with fresh reports of three American servicemen killed on the ground this week in a gunfight with insurgents intent on carrying out attacks until the end of history.But there is another narrative taking place on the fringes of the news that we need to pay attention to. Ashraf Ghani, the president of Afghanistan, has named a 12-member … [Read more...] about The only test of success in Afghanistan that truly matters is the freedom of women
Wisconsin Guard soldiers given send-off for Afghanistan
Updated 2:42 pm PST, Thursday, November 29, 2018 Platoon Leader Anthony Pinchuk of Green Bay holds his son William after a sendoff ceremony for the Wisconsin Army National Guard 2nd Battalion, 127th Infantry at the Lambeau Field Atrium on Thursday, November 29, 2018 in Green Bay, Wis. (Adam Wesley/The Post-Crescent via AP) less Platoon Leader Anthony Pinchuk of Green Bay holds his son William after a sendoff ceremony for the Wisconsin Army National Guard 2nd Battalion, 127th Infantry at the Lambeau Field Atrium on Thursday, November ... more Photo: Adam Wesley, AP Photo: Adam Wesley, AP Image 1 of / 10 Caption Close Image 1 of 10 Platoon Leader Anthony Pinchuk of Green Bay holds his son William after a sendoff ceremony for the Wisconsin Army National Guard 2nd Battalion, 127th … [Read more...] about Wisconsin Guard soldiers given send-off for Afghanistan
Washington governor praises soldier killed in Afghanistan
Updated 9:23 am PST, Monday, November 26, 2018 FILE PHOTO: Governor Jay Inslee speaks during the Opening Ceremony of the 2018 Special Olympic USA Games, Sunday, June 1, 2018 at Husky Stadium in Seattle. (Genna Martin, seattlepi.com) FILE PHOTO: Governor Jay Inslee speaks during the Opening Ceremony of the 2018 Special Olympic USA Games, Sunday, June 1, 2018 at Husky Stadium in Seattle. (Genna Martin, seattlepi.com) Photo: Genna Martin, SeattlePI Photo: Genna Martin, SeattlePI Image 1 of / 4 Caption Close Image 1 of 4 FILE PHOTO: Governor Jay Inslee speaks during the Opening Ceremony of the 2018 Special Olympic USA Games, Sunday, June 1, 2018 at Husky Stadium in Seattle. (Genna Martin, seattlepi.com) FILE PHOTO: Governor Jay Inslee speaks during the Opening Ceremony of the 2018 … [Read more...] about Washington governor praises soldier killed in Afghanistan