Tag Archives: afghanistan

International, U.S.

World War 3: U.S. occupation of Afghanistan; 03-06 January 2013. More bad behaviour by U.S. led forces documented! 133 children sacrificed everyday for the United States! Soldiers killing themselves while on leave!

06 January 2013

A new Afghan Defense Ministry report backs up claims that U.S. forces are instigating Green on Blue attacks by mistreating their Afghan counterparts.  The latest report says U.S. personnel, with the help of some of their Afghan interpreters, are harassing and humiliating villagers in Maidan Wardak Province.  Also, the report says U.S. forces are not coordinating military operations with Afghan National Army (ANA) troops, as promised in recent agreements.   Afghan defense officials tried to detain the interpreters but: “When we asked NATO forces to hand over the interpreters, they told us that they are not here and have fled the area.”

International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) commented on claims that U.S. led troops are abusing detainees, saying any abuse was at the hands of the Afghan interpreters and U.S. led troops were not involved or aware of the incidents.

According to data from the World Bank, and the United Nations,  at least 133 Afghan children die everyday (43,545 per year).  The main cause is dirty water.  This should be a concern for U.S. and European taxpayers, as millions of USD has been spent on water projects most of which never happened.  Recent investigations by U.S. government agencies revealed that many of the contractors who got the tax money to improve the water systems never showed up.  Is this intentional?  So much for U.S. claims to stabilize and improve life for Afghanistan.

In Kandahar Province, a suicide bomber blew himself up near a government compound.  Then Mujahideen infantry attacked the compound.  Local police say 10 people were killed, 15 people were wounded.

The Afghan government has freed hundreds of prisoners who were being held by U.S. forces at Bagram Prison, and at other prisons. General Mohammad Yar Barakzai said that despite “…no evidence to prove their involvement in the insurgency.”, U.S. forces held them in prison for at least a couple of years, Israeli style.

05 January 2013

Mujahideen warned of increased attacks if the U.S. does not withdraw all personnel at the end of 2014: “If America wants to leave a small or large number of its troops for whatever length of time then it means war and destruction will continue in the region for that same length.”

U.S. media reports have revealed that as many as 20,000 U.S. personnel could remain after 2014.

An official from Iran’s Supreme National Security Council (SNSC), Saeed Jalili, arrived in capital Kabul.  He said he was there on official invitation from President Hamid Karzai.  Iran is funding dozens of reconstruction projects in Afghanistan.

04 January 2013

Pakistan claims 25 mortar rounds were fired into their country from Afghanistan. They say it was Afghan government border forces that fired the short range artillery rounds.

Afghan public health ministry officials say at least one woman dies giving birth every two hours in Afghanistan.  However, they say this is an improvement.  They claim that 11 years ago it was one woman dying during childbirth ever 24 minutes!

A British Red Coat, who survived an explosion in Afghanistan, killed himself while on Christmas leave back home in the United Kingdom.  Officials said only that “Police are investigating the death of a soldier who was serving with 1st The Queen’s Dragoon Guards.”

03 January 2013

In Helmand Province, a religious cleric was assassinated while leading prayer in a Mosque.  Reports say he was targeted because he supported the government.  Also, an ISAF soldier from Denmark was killed by an explosion while on patrol: “An International Security Assistance Force service member died following an improvised explosive device attack…”

In Ghazni Province, reports of a girl being gang raped and the local government trying to cover it up.  The girl is in critical condition and was sent to Kabul for treatment. A vigilante group claims to have detained one of the four men accused of the rape.  Local police say they did not cover up the rape, that simply it was never officially reported to them by the family.

In Kunar Province, Mujahideen report attacking several checkpoints, killing and wounding a handful of ANA troops.  Mujahideen also report destroying a Counter Terrorism Pursuit Team (CTPT) in Narang district, after a four hour battle.

In Laghman Province, Mujahideen report day long ambushes on Afghan government convoys. They claim they killed at least 17 Afghan government personnel, and wounded 13.  Three Mujahideen were killed, as well as one civilian.

International, U.S.

World War 3: U.S. occupation of Afghanistan; 29 December 2012 – 02 January 2013. Increased drone strikes proof the U.S. is losing the war? ANA attack Spanish troops! Cops kill wives! Pakistan attacks, again! Thousands of Afghan government troops used as human sacrifices for the United States! More proof it’s about the oil! More U.S. taxes wasted!

02 January 2013

A report says U.S. President Barack Obama authorized 450 drone (UAV) strikes in Afghanistan in 2012, double from the year before.  Afghans take it as proof the United States is losing the war: “Unfortunately, they think they can win this war by killing civilians. Actually, these attacks are revenges from the loss that the U.S. government has faced in Afghanistan.”-Mohammad Daoud Abedi, Afghan Nation Peace Council

In Herat Province, an Iranian man was found dead. Local police have given no details, other than he was a truck driver.  There has been an increase in the number of people being kidnapped in the province.

01 January 2013

In Herat Province, Karkh district, two Afghan National Army (ANA) officers attacked a Spanish/NATO military convoy. No one was hurt, and the ANA officers are missing.

In Kunduz Province, reports that two people were killed by U.S. led drone strike.

In Uruzgan Province, a local cop shot and killed his wife and teenaged son.  He is on the loose.  Local police officials say it was all over some kind of family argument.

Government officials in Sarkano district, Kunar Province, claim Pakistan fired 12 artillery rockets into their territory. One woman was killed, three children wounded.

According to icasualties.org, 309 U.S. personnel, 44 U.K. forces and 45 soldiers from other NATO/ISAF member countries were killed in 2012.  This is piddly when compared to how many puppet Afghan National Army troops died fighting for the United States: “We lost around one thousand and fifty of our hero soldiers in 2012….”-Zahir Azimi, Afghanistan Ministry of Defense

According to reports, more and more Afghan government officials are seeking asylum in the United States and United Kingdom/British Empire.  This year hundreds of Afghan  presidential palace employees, diplomats, reporters and journalists, athletes and students who’ve left Afghanistan have never returned.  Australia has been dealing with boat loads of refugees from Afghanistan.  The UN High Commission for Refugees said, this year, that Afghans make up the most people seeking asylum.  So much for the United States stabilizing Afghanistan in their War on Terror.

31 December 2012

2012 was a record year for Green on Blue attacks (Afghan government personnel attacking U.S. led NATO/ISAF personnel or contractors).  At least 46 U.S. led occupiers were killed in such attacks.  That’s 11 more than 2011.

In Samangan Province, a man serving time for killing three of his inlaws, killed his wife while she was visiting him in prison.  Prison officials believe the man was being motivated to commit the murders by his own mother. His mother had been telling him that his wife was having an affair.

In Daikundi Province, local government officials reporting a 50% increase in suicides among women.  The main reason is domestic violence.

Pakistan has released four more top Mujahideen leaders from prison. This comes at the request of the Afghan government. It’s part of demands by Mujahideen in order to continue with peace talks.

U.S. corporation, FMC Technologies, was just awarded the contract to build a oil/fuel refinery in the Amu Darya River basin, in the province of Jowzjan.  It is one of six oil fields in Afghanistan, discovered in 1930 by Swedish explorers.  The refinery is expected to put out 60,000 barrels of fuel everyday starting in Gregorian year 2015.  China is already a major player in Afghanistan’s budding oil industry.

30 December 2012

Near the Jalalabad airbase, in Nangarhar Province, a hidden bomb exploded.  The bomb was inside a fueler truck, in a convoy heading to the airbase. At least nine feulers were destroyed as they sat parked.  Jalalabad airbase is the second largest U.S. airbase in Afghanistan.

29 December 2012

ISAF said: “An International Security Assistance Force service member died following an improvised explosive device attack in southern Afghanistan.”

A Georgian/ISAF soldier who disappeared last week, was found dead.  No further info was issued.

The U.S. government has canceled the planed purchase of Italian made C-27 Spartan transport planes, for the Afghan air force.  Afghan government officials are happy: “Today we are very happy to hear the cancellation of the aircrafts purchase through the Italian corporation. The aircrafts are not usable by the Afghan Air Force anymore and we thank those who have taken this decision.”-Zahir Azimi, Afghanistan Ministry of Defense

U.S. taxpayers take note: Your government had already spent $600 million USD of your taxes on the C-27 for Afghanistan program!  Apparently the Afghan air force wants to continue to rely on their reliable Russian rotary wings and U.S. Cessna fixed wings.

Eight people, including four children, died due to being stuck in cold weather, after Pakistan closed the Torkham border gate.  Border police say thousands of people are stuck. Pakistan recently closed the border crossing in retaliation for Afghan border police harassing Pakistani citizens.

Iranian and Afghan education officials announced they will build a jointly run science/technology university in the near future.

International, U.S.

World War 3: U.S. occupation of Afghanistan; 25 – 28 December 2012. Attacks increasing! U.S. bombs Afghan government militias! Tit for tat increases with Pakistan. Cops keep attacking fellow cops! More waste of U.S. taxpayer money!

28 December 2012

Mujahideen claim wave of attacks in Kandahar Province.  In Shahwalikot district, battles raged since the day before. Mujahideen are not sure of how much damage they inflicted on enemy troops, but they think they blew up a U.S./NATO armored vehicle.  Also, in the same district a local cop joined the Mujahideen.  In Panjwaee district, a cop was sniped.  In Kandahar city, a police vehicle was blown up with a bicycle bomb, killing four and wounding one.  In Ghorak district, a police vehicle was blown up with a landmine.  In Hisark district, 15 U.S./NATO personnel were killed in a firefight.

Pakistan closed the Torkham gate on the border with Afghanistan, claiming two Pakistani truck drivers had been tortured by Afghan border police.  This was apparently in retaliation for Pakistani police harassing 29 Afghan truck drivers.  And that was in retaliation for Afghan harassment of Pakistani workers the week prior!

In another example of wasted U.S. taxpayer money; two Afghan women returned from the United States after receiving helicopter pilot training.  The problem is that the Afghan air force refuses to let the women do their jobs as pilots.  The two 2nd Lieutenants are the first female pilots for Afghanistan since the Soviet occupation in the 1980s.

Afghans are suing Germany over an airstrike that killed almost one hundred civilians, and wounded at least 142.  It happened in 2009, when German ground troops called in an airstrike on two fuelers that had been captured by Mujahideen.  USAF F-15 Eagles blew up the fuel trucks in a crowded part of Kunduz city.

Australia began officially withdrawing from Afghanistan.  They claim they will be out by the end of 2013.

27 December 2012

In Logar Province, Mujahideen claim heavy fighting.  Two U.S. led troops on foot patrol killed, and two wounded, using a remote detonated bomb.  They also claim to have killed two Afghan government troops when they blew up their vehicle.  A policeman was sniped by Mujahideen as well.

In Uruzgan Province, Mujahideen attacked a police checkpoint. Government reports say four cops killed, four wounded. Mujahideen claim six cops killed.  Reports say the attack was led by a local cop.

In Kunar Province,  Mujahideen are calling it the Battle of Kunar.  In Chapa Darah district, they claim to have killed seven enemy troops and blew up three vehicles.  In Manugi district, they claim to have killed three enemy troops, wounded dozens, and destroyed three vehicles.

26 December 2012

In Nangarhar Province, in Khogiyani district, U.S./NATO forces used helicopters to bomb Afghan government militia troops and local police, killing 15.  It happened during an intense battle with Mujahideen.  Apparently the U.S. led forces mistook the local government militia/cops as Mujahideen.  No comment from ISAF, so far.  Mujahideen say, “na, na, you missed me, you didn’t even touch me!”

In Faryab Province, in Dawlatabad district, Mujahideen attacked a police checkpoint chasing off the cops and taking two motorcycles and a supply truck.  In Chilgazi district, Mujahideen killed 10 Afghan National Army (ANA) troops, and captured one.

In Khost Province, Forward Operating Base (FOB) Chapman was hit by a car bomb: “Three Afghan nationals are killed and seven Afghan nationals are wounded. We have no report of coalition casualties right now.”-International Security Assistance Force (ISAF)

Afghan media reports say President Hamid Karzai has met with Mujahideen leaders.  He promised them he would take their complaints directly to U.S. President Barack Obama.

Afghan investigators say the police woman who killed a U.S. police contractor, is from Iran.  They say she came to Afghanistan ten years ago with her husband.  Although investigators are trying to blame the shooting on the fact that she’s originally from Iran, they have not found any links to Mujahideen.  The female cop said she did it to get vengeance for being sexually harassed.

France will offer asylum to Afghans that have worked for the French military.  French officials admit those Afghans who worked for the French military will not be safe once French troops leave Afghanistan.

Today was the 33rd anniversary of the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan.  The Soviets had advanced weapons, highly trained troops, much more firepower including air power, yet still lost.  They occupied Afghanistan (on their own, not with allies like the United states) for ten years.

25 December 2012 

In Kandahar Province, Panjwaee district, Mujahideen say they attacked a enemy foot patrol by ambush and landmines.  Two killed, one wounded. In Karez bazaar of Kandahar city, Mujahideen attacked a police check point with grenades. As government reinforcements arrived, Mujahideen attacked them with bombs. Six killed.  In Boldak district, three border police were killed, one wounded, when they drove over a landmine.

In Farah Province, three people were killed when they drove over a landmine.

In Helmand Province, in Bari Gul bazaar area of Nad Ali district, U.S./NATO forces raided a village. Three people were beat up then kidnapped.

In Paktika Province, an ANA soldier joined the Mujahideen.

Business/Economics, Idaho, International, Technology, U.S.

What Economic Recovery? Hewlett Packard on the ropes, and going down! Blames War on Terror!

“Terrorist acts, conflicts of wars (wherever located throughout the world) may cause damage or disruption to HP, our employees, facilities, partners, suppliers, distributors, resellers or customers or adversely affect our ability to manage logistics……..The potential for future attacks, the national and international responses……or wars, including ongoing military operations in Afghanistan, have created many economic and political uncertainties……actions against or by the United States may impact our business and employees.”-HP Form 10-K, Security & Exchange Commission report, 27 December 2012

Hewlett Packard filed a 10-K report with the U.S. SEC, and it’s full of what if scenarios, mostly bad scenarios.  Obviously the executives of HP are not positive about 2013.  Employees will continue to be shed: “The restructuring plan includes both voluntary early retirement programs and non-voluntary workforce reductions and is expected to result in 29,000 employees exiting the company by the end of the period [by the end of 2014].”   

HP is also dealing with trouble from competitors, dealers and divisions.

The U.S. Department of Justice is investigating HP’s claims that the executives of the British company Autonomy, lied about its financial situation. HP shelled out $11 billion USD for Autonomy in 2011!

After a challenge by IBM (International Business Machines) the U.S. Federal government will continue with a $543 million five year Department of Veterans Affairs contract with HP.

Despite Idaho voters rejecting a laptop for students proposition, HP was awarded a $180 million contract to provide the laptops, at least one week before the voting took place!!!

Skycom Tech, a business partner of Chinese company Huawei, tried to sell $1.72 million worth of HP communication equipment to an Iranian company, some say in violation of U.S./European sanctions.  The deal didn’t go through, but Huawei said: “Huawei’s business in Iran is in full compliance with all applicable laws and regulations including those of the UN, U.S. and EU….”

HP officials said: “HP’s distribution contract terms prohibit the sale of HP products into Iran…”

There are reports that HP is no longer directly selling printers on Amazon. Some analysts think it’s actually retaliation by Amazon, because HP’s new Cloud computing system is in direct competition with Amazon’s own computing system.

A report out of India says a state government is investigating HP’s claims of being able to supply 1,500,000 school laptops by a certain date.  If government officials don’t think HP can make the deadline they will split up the contract to other competitors:  “If HP is found to have insufficient capacity, then it could, accordingly, get a contract to supply a reduced quantity of laptops and the remaining quantity will be divided among the bidders ready to offer the quantity at the rate quoted by HP.”-Uttar Pradesh government statement

HP and General Motors (GM) are going after each other in court.  It involves GM’s recent decision to hire away from HP 3,000 employees, to start its own inhouse tech service. HP claims it’s more than coincidence that GM’s plans to dump HP (and IBM) as tech service providers come after GM hired several HP executives to run GM’s technology operations. HP said the initial 18 HP employees hired by GM resigned “en masse and without notice.”


International, U.S.

World War 3: U.S. occupation of Afghanistan; 17 – 24 December 2012. Lil’ol Afghan Woman kills big tough U.S. cop! Police commander kills own cops? Spain says they will stay after the 2014 pullout! More proof taxpayers are fools! Soviet landmines still at work!

24 December 2012

ISAF said: “An International Security Assistance Force service member died following an insurgent attack in eastern Afghanistan today.”

In Badghis Province, local government officials reporting that at least ten local cops joined the Mujahideen.  This is the largest group defection in the province, so far.  People of the Chehl-Gazi area, in Abkamari district, say the cops had been making plans to become Mujahideen for some time.

In Kabul city, a local policewoman shot and killed a U.S. police adviser.  Reports say it happened in a police station. The policewoman has been arrested.  Some reports say the policewoman was seeking vengeance against her male supervisors, however she could not find them in the police station, and her only target of opportunity was the U.S. adviser.

23 December 2012

In Jowzjan Province, five local cops were assassinated, by their own commander! Some reports say the commander joined the Mujahideen and started his rebellion by attacking a police check point, killing his former underlings. However, other reports say the commander was kidnapped when Mujahideen attacked the police check point.  The commander was responsible for recently freeing two Turkish citizens that had been kidnapped.

International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) said: “During an operation in Sherzad district, Nangarhar Province, Sunday, an Afghan and coalition security force killed Obaidullah, one of the top Taliban leaders in the district.”

Possibly in response, Mujahideen attacked a U.S. led military convoy in Nangarhar Province. Reports say as many as ten U.S. personnel were killed, along with three civilians. No comment from ISAF.

In Kabul city, 600 shops burned up after a fire started in a busy market. Some reports say people were hurt, and that the fire was caused by an electrical short circuit.  However, the city police chief says they are looking for a private security guard, working at the market, who went missing right before the fire stated.

22 December 2012

In Ghanzi Province, Ghazni city, an explosion wounded three people.  It was caused by a bicycle bomb, local police say the target was an intelligence officer.

Pakistan is accusing Afghanistan of torture, and has closed its borders: “The Government of Pakistan takes serious note of the incident involving 29 Pakistanis who were returning from Afghanistan and were badly beaten en-route reportedly by Afghan forces despite having valid travel documents/passports.”-Pakistani Foreign Ministry statement

After several investigations revealed that most of the corruption in Afghanistan involves taxpayer money laundering by foreigners (like the U.S.), President Hamid Karzai blasted them: “Corruption in Afghanistan is a reality, a bitter reality. The part of this corruption that is in our offices is a small part: that is bribes. The other part of corruption, the large part, is hundreds of millions dollars that are not ours. We shouldn’t blame ourselves for that. That part is from others and imposed on us.”

The Spanish Prime Minister, and the Defense Minister, paid a visit to a Spanish NATO logistics base in Herat Province.  It was the first time the Spanish Prime Minister, Mariano Rajoy, was in Afghanistan.  He said some Spanish NATO troops will stay in Afghanistan past the official 2014 U.S./NATO pullout.

Afghanistan uses the Solar Hijri calendar system, and their lawmakers have just rejected the budget for the upcoming year of 1392.  The main reasons is that the proposed budget is not balanced and there is hardly any funding for infrastructure.  Most of the funding was slated for police and military.

21 December 2012

Apparently there was a media blackout on this day.

20 December 2012

In Nimroz Province, two Afghan security personnel and five civilians were killed, and one cop wounded, after a large roadside bomb exploded.  Government officials say they’re investigating to find out what happened.

The Georgian Ministry of Defense revealed that one of their soldiers has been missing since 19 December. Georgia has troops based in Helmand Province.

A report says that female cops in Afghanistan are enduring sexual harassment, even rape, at the hands of male cops. One female cop said most of the men wish the Taliban were in charge again: “They want it to be like the time of the Taliban. They tell us every day we are bad women and should not be allowed to work here.”

The United States Army wants to execute Sergeant Robert Bales, accused of mass murder of two Afghan families.  There are those who think the U.S. is making a scapegoat out of Bales because many witnesses said there were at least 20 U.S. soldiers involved.  Afghan police investigation also concluded the killings involved more than one shooter.

19 December 2012

Yet another report says Green on Blue attacks are caused by U.S./NATO personnel treating their Afghan counterparts like crap.  The latest report actually involves U.S. military investigation, which said the majority of Green on Blue attacks were due to “personal issues”, not Mujahideen infiltrating Afghan government forces; 38% were likely to have been triggered by personal motives, 14% were attributed to co-option (insurgents persuaded a member of the security forces to help carry out an attack), only 6% were suspected cases of enemy infiltration.

Yet another report says U.S. taxpayer money being thrown away in Afghanistan.  The U.S. State Department’s Special Inspector General for Afghanistan Reconstruction (SIGAR) found that millions of U.S. dollars have been given to contractors who did no work. One example is $5.76 million given to a contractor to do electrical utility work, which was never completed.  The scams involve the military as well: “Almost $12.8 million in equipment purchased to meet urgent needs in support of the counterinsurgency strategy is sitting unused in storage… without a clear plan for installation.”-John Sopko, SIGAR

18 December 2012

In Nangarhar Province, unknown gunmen assassinated a movie actor.  There is no explanation other than the actor might have been a social activist.

In Kandahar Province, four border cops were killed, and three wounded, by a fellow border cop.  Investigators say the victims were first poisoned before being shot.

In Nuristan Province, reports of heavy fighting between Afghan government forces and Mujahideen.  Government officials claim they’ve killed three Mujahideen, the Mujahideen claim they’ve killed or wounded several government personnel.

17 December 2012

In Kabul city, the office of a U.S. military contractor, Contrack International, was hit with a car bomb: “A small truck packed with explosives detonated between Contrack and Najeeb Zarab factories, one person is dead and 15 others are wounded.”-Mohammad Ayoub Salangi, Kabul police chief

In Nangarhar Province, ten girls were killed when they set off a landmine while collecting firewood.  Local government officials said the landmine apparently had been there since the Soviet occupation in the 1980s.

International, U.S.

World War 3: U.S. occupation of Afghanistan; 13 – 16 December 2012. Norwegians join Mujahideen! Karzai admits healthcare is a big business scam! UN counters claims by USMC General Allen! First taxpayer cash being stolen from Afghan banks, now gold! Poland agrees to give Afghanistan more taxpayer money! No More Frenchies?

16 December 2012

In Kabul Province, city of Kabul, the Ariana Hotel near the Kota-e-Sangi caught fire.  The hotel is also home to many financial businesses.  Fire officials say it looks like the fire started in a coffee shop during a wedding celebration.

In Kandahar Province, Khakrez and Shahwalikot district in Geri area, reports say a U.S. led heliborne operation resulted in five Mujahideen killed and nine civilians killed.  Locals say the nine civilians that were killled were pulled out of their farm fields and houses by the U.S. led troops, and then executed!

Iran is demanding the government of Afghanistan must pay for damages to the Iranian consulate in Herat Province.   Hundreds of Afghans attacked the consulate over the Iranian execution of Afghans. Iranian officials say the Afghans were caught smuggling drugs into Iran.

President Hamid Karzai has stated that there is no “proper” healthcare system in his country.  Afghanistan’s medical providers are increasingly concerned only with money.  Karzai made the statements at a medical ethics conference.  Afghan lawmaker, Naqibullah Fayeq, said doctors who’re supposed to be providing services in government run hospitals are going AWOL, in search of patients who’ll pay them more money: “….they have forgotten about their formal duties in government hospitals. They are coming to hospital at 10:30 am and leaves the hospital 11:00 am!”

For awhile now there have been growing admissions that foreign taxpayers’ aid money is being withdraw from Afghan banks in scandalous amounts, and taken out of the country.  Now, the New York Times reports that gold is being stolen as well!  According to Afghan airport officials one gold haul was worth $1.5 million USD, and most of it is going to U.S. allies such as Dubai and United Arab Emirates.

15 December 2012

In Herat province, in Gazra district’s Malan area, Mujahideen claim to have assassinated the local government head of 4th District Logistics.

Poland has signed a deal that will give Afghanistan more taxpayer money from Europe: “The signing of this agreement will further enhance and strengthen the relations and the wide range of cooperation between the two countries. Over the past ten years Poland has had a significant contribution to the reconstruction of and securing peace in Afghanistan. The signing of this agreement today will provide investment opportunities by the Polish side in Afghanistan.”-Zalmai Rassoul, Foreign Minister of Afghanistan

Reports say the last of France’s combat troops have left Afghanistan, two years early.   U.S./NATO “pullout” isn’t until 2014, but 200 soldiers of the 25th Belfort Infantry Regiment left on Saturday.  Look out Syria! Look out Mali!   France still has about 1,500 logistics/admin/training troops in Afghanistan.

Despite the fact that President Karzai is negotiating with the U.S. about keeping U.S. troops in Afghanistan, he publicly stated that he wants all foreign troops out by 2014: “From our vision, the fight against terrorism is not in Afghanistan…That is why we do not want military operations in our villages, in our houses….”

14 December 2012

International Security Assistance Force said: “A U.S. Forces-Afghanistan service member died as a result of a non-battle related injury December 14, in southern Afghanistan.”

The United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) has released a report that contradicts claims made by USMC General John Allen, that violence in Afghanistan is down.  The UN reports said violence against civilians is up 28% from last year!

The USMC is going to make a single NCO the scapegoat for the 2011 body urination desecration scandal: “Staff Sgt Joseph W Chamblin would be tried by special court-martial at Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune in North Carolina on December 19.”

General Knud Bartels, Chairman of NATO’s Military Committee, said the U.S. led occupation of Afghanistan will not end up like it did for the Soviet Union, precisely because Russia is now a NATO ally, and is working to help NATO in Afghanistan:  “If I can walk away from my visit having achieved a personal, open and transparent relationship with the Russian Military leadership, then the visit has been a success. We are here today to confirm our strong cooperation and partnership. Confirm our NATO-Russia Council cooperation menu and push our relations to a new stage.”

More warmongering against Pakistan.  U.S. Army Lieutenant General, Michael Barbero, testified to the U.S. Congress that more than 1,900 U.S. personnel have been wounded or killed by homemade bombs (IEDs), just this year.  He blamed Pakistan, and told congressmen to expect even more casualties if no action was taken against Pakistan.  He claimed that 70% of the components for the homemade bombs come from Pakistan.

In United Kingdom, the Sandhurst Royal Military Academy announced that two of its top three military students are from Afghanistan.

13 December 2102

In Kandahar Province, outside Kandahar airbase, Mujahideen claim to have attacked the U.S./NATO base and killed eight occupiers.  Other reports say a U.S. led ISAF convoy was hit by a car bomb.  Four U.S. personnel were killed, along with one Afghan National Army troop, and at least 16 civilians were wounded: “I can confirm that insurgents detonated a vehicle-borne improvised explosive device in the vicinity of Kandahar airfield. Currently ISAF officials are on the scene collecting facts and assessing the situation and as information becomes available we will release it as appropriate.”-unnamed U.S. spokesperson

U.S. Army Staff Sergeant Nicholas J. Reid died in a hospital in Germany. He was gravely wounded by an explosion in Afghanistan, on 09 December.

In Herat Province, Mujahideen tried to assassinate a senior government security official.  A firefight broke out and one body guard was killed.

In Ghazni Province, local government officials say the Mujahideen are winning over locals by focusing on solving ethnic/tribal issues.  This is more proof that ‘government’ does not really care about the needs of the people.

Norwegian intelligence officials (Etterretningstjenesten, aka E-tjenesten) have confirmed that Norwegian citizens have joined Afghan Mujahideen, and even attacked Norwegian troops (yes, I’m surprised at how many people think Norway is a neutral country).  Lieutenant General, Kjell Grandhagen, said this has been going on for several years: “Norwegians were directly tied to carrying out or attempting armed attacks against Afghan authorities and/or the ISAF, where Norwegian soldiers are also involved.”

Pakistan said there are still 2.6 million Afghan refugees in their country.  Despite threats from the Pakistani government, and incentives (money) from the United Nations, most of the refugees refuse to go back to U.S. occupied Afghanistan.

Outgoing U.S. special envoy for Afghanistan and Pakistan, Marc Grossman, said the new security pact will ensure that the U.S. will not leave Afghanistan: “I think there will be an agreement in this regard since the security agreement will be in the national interest of Afghanistan and United States. The strategic pact between Kabul and Washington has paved the way for security pact between the two nations. We know that the security pact will be as an agreement for the presence of U.S. troops in Afghanistan.”

International, U.S.

World War 3: Former Soviet leader says United States about to collapse

On 13 December 2012, the first and last president of the Soviet Union, Mikhail Gorbachev, warned that the United States is about to follow the same path as the Soviet union; total collapse!

He made the statements at a conference in Turkey.  The conference is about the future of the Middle East and Black Sea areas.

Gorbachev said if the U.S. does not stop hegemonic policies it will collapse.  On 26 December 1991 the Union of soviet Socialists Republic collapsed into 15 independent republics.  Gorbachev said the collapse of the Soviet Union was mainly due to the costs of fighting wars, especially the Soviet occupation of  Afghanistan.

Note: The office of President of the U.S.S.R. (CCCP) was not created until March 1990, as part of their feeble attempt to reform their system, which is how Gorbachev became the “first and last” President of the USSR.

International, U.S.

World War 3: U.S. occupation of Afghanistan; 09 – 12 December 2012. Where’s all the taxpayer money supposedly given to help Afghanistan? More evidence the U.S. & U.K. are the biggest drug dealers in the world! More evidence your governments are involved with international tax money laundering! Afghans say they will support U.S. invasion of Iran! India to take over Afghanistan? Karzai is two faced!

12 December 2012

According to the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (UNOCHA), at least 2 million Afghans are threatened by cold, disease and malnutrition this winter.  The reason?  The UNOCHA says out of the $448 million USD in aid money requested, only 48% has actually been paid out by UN members.  It seems the leaders of the occupying countries are big on promising large amounts of their taxpayers’ money, but can’t deliver.

In Ghazni province, local government officials say Mujahideen are in control of 70% of the provincial schools.  Taliban means student in English. I wonder how many true students were detained by U.S. led forces because they innocently stated they were a Taliban (student).  There are an estimated 635 educational institutions in Ghazni Province.

U.S. Secretary of Defense, Leon Panetta, arrived in Afghanistan to discuss how many U.S. troops will stay in the Central Asian country, after the 2014 pullout (contradictory isn’t it?). Despite earlier reports that as many as 9,000 U.S. troops would be left in Afghanistan, Panetta said President Obama is still trying to figure out how many to leave behind: “The size of that enduring presence is something that the president is going to be considering over these next few weeks.”

Trivia question: How many Red Coat Brits made it out of Afghanistan alive?  Answer: One! It happened during the First Anglo–Afghan War from 1838-42.  It’s considered the first modern European led war to control Afghanistan, as part of the ongoing Great Game.  How many were killed in the First Anglo–Afghan War? 4,500 Red Coats and 12,000 of their camp followers!  The sole survivor of the Red Coat retreat from Kabul was William Brydon.  You might call the current U.S./U.K. occupation of Afghanistan the Third Anglo-Afghan War.

The UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) has data that proves the increased drug trade in Afghanistan correlates with the U.S. occupation.  The UNODC also says 95% of opium production is being carried out in areas controlled by the United States and the United Kingdom.  Also, Iranian anti-drug police are pointing out that the increased annual production of Afghan heroin requires 13,000 metric tons of material and equipment that is not available in Afghanistan.  Iran says their anti-drug operations are revealing that production material is coming from the occupying countries, such as the United States.

The Afghan parliament is accusing 11 officials of not spending government funds on building infrastructure.  At least 50% of government funds meant for building up Afghanistan has not been spent, and elected officials want to know where it went.

11 December 2012

In Kapisa Province, in the town of Tagab, Mujahideen killed four Afghan National Army (ANA) soldiers.

In Nuristan Province, Barmatal district, Mujahideen report they’ve overrun a second defensive FOB (forward operating base) in that district.  They killed four ANA troops, and wounded five others.

In Ghazni Province, Shilgar district, seven ANA troops joined the Mujahideen.

An unnamed U.S. official said India could take over military affairs in Afghanistan: “We have had discussions with the Indians about this issue and about the Afghans, and I don’t see any particular problems with the overall approach here at all.”

Reports said a U.S./NATO drone crashed in Helmand province, Nava district.   ISAF has not commented.

In Paktia Province, government officials claim they captured several suicide bombers, calling them Mujahideen.  However, Mujahideen groups have come forth and stated the men arrested are not known to them as fellow Mujahideen.  Are government officials labeling common thieves as Mujahideen in order to impose stricter penalties, such as President Karzai’s order to execute Mujahideen?

Despite rampant corruption (Afghanistan being considered the third worst in the world) an Afghan bank just won Best Bank-o-the Year!  Afghanistan International Bank (AIB) was given the award by another majorly corrupt country, the United Kingdom.  The London based organization, which gave out the award, is known simply as The Banker.  If you’ve been paying attention to the massive bank fraud cases, you should know most of them are led by British banks, which include the bank used by the British royal family.

Ironically, U.S. officials admitted that massive amounts of cash are being taking (stolen/laundered?) from Afghan banks, and out of Afghanistan.  According to the U.S. Congressional Research Service, $4.5 billion USD was taken out of Afghanistan in 2011.  According to the U.S. Treasury about $1.3 billion in outbound cash was declared to Afghan Customs Department personnel at Kabul airport in 2010.  Most of the money going into Afghan banks are coming from the taxpayers from occupying countries.  And this is just the non-military aid being paid to Afghanistan.  In March 2012, Afghanistan’s deputy central bank governor estimated that at least $8 billion total is being taken out of Afghanistan every year!  This partly explains why many organizations in Afghanistan say they are not seeing any of the promised aid money.

One afghan commentator said there is not going to be peace in his country, because too many forces are making big profits off taxpayers and drug addicts. From the United States to European and Asian countries to various Mujahideen groups, all are profiting from illegal drug trades and tax money laundering.  It’s only the civilians who are paying the price.

Syed Ali Wasif, of the Society for International Reforms and Research, said the Third Anglo-Afghan War is all about corporate control of natural resources, and corporations don’t care who they make deals with: “The American corporate sector would be involved there in the future together with the Taliban. It’s going to be a Taliban and American corporate nexus.”

Wasif also said corporations are taking advantage of incompetent U.S. political and military leaders: “This is a war between the corporate people and the military or between the state department and the DoD and the corporate people. This is the main issue, you should understand that. Not the issue of Afghanistan or corruption.”

In Herat Province, Iran has closed its consulate. Iranian media say hundreds of Afghans attacked the consulate.  Local Afghan officials say the people were protesting the Iranian execution of Afghans.  Iran says they captured Afghans smuggling drugs into Iran,  which is a death penalty offense in that country.  Some of the protestors said they will support any U.S. invasion of Iran.

10 December 2012

ISAF said: “An International Security Assistance Force service member died following an improvised explosive device attack in southern Afghanistan.”

In Laghman Province, the boss of the provincial women affairs department for eastern Laghman province was assassinated by unknown gunmen.

In Nimroz Province, a police chief was killed after he drove over a landmine.

USAF (United States Air Force) data shows Afghanistan is the main target of drone attacks. At least 447 drone strikes so far for 2012.  And USMC (United States Marine Corps) General John Allen recently said violence was down?

President Barack Obama praised a Special Operations Forces (not to be confused with U.S. Army Special Forces, but SOF can include Army “Green Berets”) operation that rescued a captured U.S. citizen, who is supposedly representing a U.S. aid organization.  The operation took place the day before.  One SOF personnel was killed, who just happened to be one of the SEALS (SEa Air Land teamS) who took part in the questionable Osama bin Laden assassination.

09 December 2012

ISAF said: “A U.S. Forces-Afghanistan service member died in eastern Afghanistan today.”

In Helmand Province, local police officials say an overnight U.S. airstrike hit the Godar area of Nahr-e Seraj district.  Six people were killed.

In Ghazni Province, Ghazni city, Mujahideen say they killed three U.S./NATO troops.

In Kandahar Province, two people killed, two wounded after they drove over a landmine. Also, Mujahideen say they repelled a U.S. led heliborne operation in Kala Shamir region’s Shilghami Manda area, Maiwand district.  The U.S. led operation began the night before.

The Afghan Ministry of Public Health said 24,000 Afghans were burned by faulty imported gas cylinders, in 2011. 234 people died. Many Afghans can not afford to buy quality gas cylinders so they buy poor quality imported cylinders, which have been exploding or catching fire.   Most Afghans do not have electricity so they rely on gas for everything from cooking to lighting.

The European Union (EU) announced it will give Afghanistan another $1.9 billion USD by 2017. This as the EU struggles with a collapsing economy.  Afghan officials say the EU is one of the biggest taxpayer donors to Afghanistan: “European Union is one the biggest donors of Afghanistan. EU had considerable commitments towards the Afghan government in Tokyo conference. Majority of the aid by European Union was spent through the Afghan government.”-Hazrat Omer Zakhilwal, Afghan finance minister

More evidence leaders don’t want peace; Pakistan government officials are detaining Mujahideen who want peace!   That claim is being made by Afghan officials: “Taliban leaders detained in Pakistan have been arrested since they are interested and prepared to join peace process. This is the main reason that the Afghan government is repeatedly urging Pakistan to free Taliban group members.”-Janan Mosazai, Afghan Foreign Ministry spokesman

After continually condemning U.S. policies, President Hamid Karzai now says he will consider granting U.S. military personnel legal immunity. It’s part of the ongoing discussions concerning the new post-2014 pullout military pact, to be signed by 2013.  This is also proof the U.S. is not really pulling out.

International, U.S.

World War 3: U.S. occupation of Afghanistan; 05 – 08 December 2012. U.S. detains teenagers, Israeli style! Mujahideen offensive in Khost! Pakistan predicts increased attacks! Sweden says U.S. attacking hospitals, violation of international law! U.S. military official admits to intentionally targeting children, another violation of international law!

08 December 2012

In Khost Province, in the Sahra Bagh area, Mujahideen claim they attacked a military convoy killing nine U.S./NATO troops.  However, local government sources say three U.S./NATO troops were killed, no comment by ISAF.  Also, in the Bak district, Mujahideen beheaded a man for being a spy.  Also in Bak, provincial security chief, Mohammad Yaqoob Mandozai, said Mujahideen exploded a remote detonated landmine killing two civilians and wounding five civilians as well as four Afghan National Army (ANA) personnel.

The American Civil Liberties Union says U.S. forces are detaining at least 200 Afghan teenaged boys at anyone time, simply to prevent them “from returning to the battlefield”.  U.S. forces would hold the teenagers for about a year at a time, in the infamous prison at Bagram airbase.  Then, they would be released or turned over to Afghan police.

The International Justice Network says their own count shows that U.S. forces are detaining much more than 200 teenagers per year, at more than one prison: “I’ve represented children as young as 11 or 12 who have been at Bagram. I question the number of 200, because there are thousands of detainees at Parwan.”-Tina Foster, International Justice Network

In an interview with the Military Times (not the Marine Corps Times as some reports said), U.S. Army Lieutenant Colonel Marion Carrington admitted that not only does U.S. and U.K. forces intentionally go after “military aged males” (which includes teenagers) but they also kill “…children with potential hostile intent.”  There have been numerous cases where children as young as eight were killed by U.S. or U.K. Red Coat forces.  In most of those cases, the children were collecting firewood or tending sheep, but the U.S. led forces claim the children were planting landmines.  Intentionally targeting children is a violation of international laws, and justifying it based on the fact that belong to a people who you’re subjugating is simply a form of ‘racism’, even a former Israeli Defense Force member says so: “The decision about who you consider a legitimate target is less defined by your conduct than the conduct of the people or category of people which you are assigned to belong to…That is beyond troubling. It is also illegal and immoral.”-Amos Guiora, now a law professor at the University of Utah

Outside of Afghanistan, the Bureau of Investigative Journalism has documented more than 200 children intentionally killed by U.S. forces in Pakistan, Somalia and Yemen between 2002 and 2012!

Want more proof that the United States does not respect the rule of law?  Read on.

In Maidan Wardak Province, the Swedish Aid Committee for Afghanistan said that ANA troops, being directed by U.S./NATO personnel, attacked a health clinic in Sebak village at Chak district, a clear violation of Geneva Conventions.  The joint ANA/U.S./NATO troops kidnapped several medical personnel and destroyed the medical equipment.  Apparently the clinic was then used as a FOB (forward operating base) for three days.  ISAF Brigadier General, Gunter Katz, tried to downplay the whole thing by saying NATO troops didn’t know it was a medical facility until after they entered the compound, and that they stayed at the compound for the three days “…due to the cold weather.”   The heliborne assault took place back on 23 October.

In Herat Province, a woman and her son were shot and killed.  Local officials say it was over charges of adultery, however, the police do not think the shooter is a relative. They have arrested three people.

Pakistani intelligence officials say an expected change in Pakistani Taliban leadership will result in fewer attacks inside Pakistan, and increased attacks in Afghanistan: “We are awaiting to witness the change in the current Taliban leader which is commanded by a violent leader and the replacement will hopefully lead to reconciliation of the Taliban group with the government of Pakistan.”-unnamed Pakistani military official

07 December 2012

In Nangarhar Province, the governor said U.S. led forces conducted an illegal night raid in the southern district of Khogyani. Seven people were kidnapped and one wounded when he resisted.  Also, in Sherzad district, locals say the U.S./NATO night raided homes in the Stara Tarma area, killing three people before fleeing in helicopters.

In Logar Province, locals say U.S. led forces night raided homes in the Dado Khel village.  Two people were kidnapped and the residents say their valuables (jewelry and cash) were stolen.

In Kunar Province, locals say U.S./NATO forces night raided an Imam’s home in the Underser area.  The Imam and his brother were kidnapped.  Their cash was stolen (obviously the U.S./NATO troops are being trained by Israeli personnel, standard tactic of IDF personnel is to take the jewelry and cash of the families they destroy).

A man using an underwear bomb tried to assassinate the Afghan National Directorate of Security (NDS) Chief.  The bomb went off, the intelligence boss was wounded.  President Karzai blames it on Pakistan.

In Ghazni Province, local government officials revealed that weapons and ammo have been stolen from government arms depot.  A man is being tried for the thefts, local prosecutors say the man worked in the depot and was selling the weapons to Mujahideen.

In Parwan Province, Mujahideen say they launched a rocket attack on a Korean base, near the provincial capital of Charikar.

06 December 2012

In Nuristan Province,  cops are being sniped by the dozens.  Local government officials say the Mujahideen are using brand new high velocity Dragunov sniper rifles.  They say the local police do not have access to that type of weapon.

In Kunar Province, Mujahideen claim to have hit a U.S. base with six mortar rounds. The base is in Khas Kunar district.

In Ghazni Province, a U.S. led night raid on Ali Khel village, in Deh Yak district, resulted in the gates of three homes being destroyed and one man being kidnapped.

A group of lawyers in United Kingdom are demanding an investigation into accounts of British Red Coats intentionally targeting/killing Afghan children, some as young as 12 years old.

President Karzai again stated that the continued occupation of Afghanistan by U.S. led forces is the main cause for violence in the Central Asian country.

NATO, USMC General John Allen and U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, made contradictory statements and blatant lies.  Clinton demanded that the taxpayers of NATO members continue to make huge payments to the government of Afghanistan  (money laundering by government? see previous Afghan reports on Blind Bat News), while the NATO Secretary General, Anders Fogh Rasmussen, said that corruption in Afghanistan is only getting worse (Transparency International says Afghanistan is in the top three most corrupt countries in the world)!  Many countries have pledged to give Afghanistan huge sums of their taxpayers’ money, according to a Reuters report as much as $4.1 billion USD per year after 2014 (and you wonder why they want to raise taxes on you?)!  Outgoing John Allen stated there was a “significant decrease” in violence, hmmm, guess he’s not reading my Afghan reports?

05 December 2012

In Nimroz Province, in Khashrod district, U.S. led forces conducted an early morning raid. Locals say five people were kidnapped and a woman was shot and wounded.

In Helmand Province, Mujahideen claim a Red Coat British AFV (armored fighting vehicle) ran over a landmine, which exploded and killed the entire crew.  Witnesses say two more Red Coat AFVs rushed to the scene, but ran into each other causing one of the AFVs to flip!

In Kandahar Province, Mujahideen say they assassinated a key spy working for U.S. forces.  They say U.S. forces have turned a former residence into a spy headquarters in Kandahar city.

In Nuristan Province, a U.S. led airstrike has killed at least five civilians.  Local government officials say the five people were from one family and were not known to have any political opinions, officials are demanding an investigation.

U.S. led NATO and Russia agreed to increase their Afghan operations in 2013!  Russia and U.S. led NATO will expand the training of the Afghan air force and anti-drug police units.

The Democratic controlled U.S. Senate approved a $631 billion military spending bill, in a 98 to zero vote!  The bill allows 88 billion taxpayer dollars to continue the war in Afghanistan, as well as billions for new nuclear weapons.  It will now be reconciled with the Republican controlled House military spending bill.

International, U.S.

World War 3: U.S. occupation of Afghanistan; 01 – 04 December 2012. More illegal U.S. led night raids! Pakistan threatens military action in Afghanistan! Soldiers running over cops! Longest war in U.S. history!

04 December 2012

In Balkh Province, the people of Chahar Bolak district said U.S. led forces conducted an illegal night raid, which led to the men and women of 15 families being separated from each other, and then the women were raped!

Amnesty International says the U.S. occupation of Afghanistan has resulted in at least half a million people living in refugee camps.  The camps are not equipped to deal with cold winter weather:  “We are in dire need of help, the weather is getting cold but we don’t have blankets, fuel, and warm clothes. I don’t know how to keep my children warm.”-Shahzada Khan, refugee who fled Laghman Province because of the violence caused by the presence of U.S. led forces

Afghan government leaders are angry over statements made by Pakistan’s Interior Minister.  Pakistan is now accusing Afghanistan of being the home base for terrorist operations in Pakistan: “…if they do not halt their terrorist activities in Pakistan…..We will reply if there is any activity from Afghanistan…”-Rahman Malik

Afghan Interior Minister, Mojtaba Patang, criticized Afghan National Police (ANP) saying the ‘national’ police units are totally influenced by local politics: “Our police forces have been linked with the political and other groups, they are not national police forces. Issues are created by regional police forces. They are supporting the crime intentionally or unintentionally in their areas where they belong to and are performing duties in the same areas.”  

03 December 2012

In Nuristan Province, the deputy district governor and chief of intelligence were killed and six cops wounded, after Mujahideen attacked the building they were in.

In Paktia Province, in Masto village, an Afghan National Army troop ran over and killed a policeman.

ISAF said: “Two International Security Assistance Force service members died following an improvised explosive device attack in southern Afghanistan.”

In Uruzgan Province, five people killed, nine wounded, by an explosion near the local Afghan Intelligence Department in Tarinkowt city.  The explosion was the result of a remote detonated motorcycle bomb.

The UN World Health Organization (WHO) and the Afghan Ministry of Public Health, say 10,500 people die from tuberculosis every year in Afghanistan.  In a round-a-bout way they blamed the U.S. occupation.

02 December 2012

In Farah Province, locals in the Gulistan district say U.S. led forces raided homes and kidnapped several people.

In Nimruz Province, local government officials say the U.S. struck a suspected Mujahideen home, killing three people.

In Nangarhar Province, Mujahideen attacked the Jalalabad airbase.  According to local government officials, five suicide bombers attacked at once, then firefights broke out.  Some reports say as many as 18 people killed, 40 wounded. Other reports say the Mujahideen made it onto the airbase complex.  ISAF would only say that there were “…multiple explosions in the vicinity of Jalalabad airport.”

Former Afghan Central Bank Chief, Abdul Qadir Fitrat, said government officials were involved with the collapse of Kabul Bank.   Billions of USD were withdrawn or issued as fraudulent loans.  Several reports say the money went to people in other countries and at least 19 individuals and companies in Afghanistan.  Fitrat says no one has yet to be arrested, and even accused the President of being involved: “In Afghanistan we have president who is acting over the law who is not prepared to be inquired regarding the monetary crime which has been committed by himself and family members.”

01 December 2012

In Paktia Province, in Kahiar Kot district, locals say a U.S./NATO transport plane crashed killing everyone on board.  Locals say it looked like the plane was having technical problems. No word from ISAF.

In Uruzgan Province, a suicide bomber blew up his vehicle killing three people and wounding four others. Also, locals from Char Chino district say U.S. led forces attacked them, killing four people and kidnapping two others.

Deputy Afghan House Speaker, Haji Zahir Qadir, apologized for the beating his body guards gave to a Afghan cop.  The incident took place near a U.S. military base in Wazir Akbar Khan area, right after a suicide bombing.  Apparently the cop thought the body guards were Mujahideen and tried to attack them.

The Afghan government is now investigating the creation of an official provincial Mujahideen Council, in Herat Province. It was formed a few months ago, and involved redistributing captured Mujahideen weapons back to the Mujahideen.  The stated goal of Herat’s Mujahideen Council is to unite all local Mujahideen groups into one powerful organization, that works similar to the U.S. state run National Guard.  One national government official says Herat officials have misused funding for water and energy projects to create the Mujahideen Council.

German defense officials announced they will close down two of their Afghan bases in Baghlan and Kunduz provinces, sometime in 2013.

The United States Senate has voted, 62 to 33, to accelerate the pullout of U.S. troops: “It is time to end this war, end the longest war in United States history!”-Jeff Merkley, Senator from Oregon