Defense Secretary Robert Gates praised the Afghan president’s subdued response to leaked criticism
'Catch and release' policy draws fire in Afghanistan - Washington Examiner
More than 500 suspected Taliban fighters detained by U.S. forces have been released from custody at the urging of Afghan government officials
Obama, troops cheer each other in Afghan visit - AP
President Obama is to personally thank U.S. troops for their service during the holidays
WikiLeaks and the dangers of zealotry
The internet has empowered irresponsible zealots like Julian Assange.
Obama not sure about post-2014 Afghanistan - AP
President spends his Saturday in Portugal discussing war effort in crucial NATO, EU meetings
Stop the presses: Hamid Karzai is a politician!
The reports of a rift between Karzai and Gen. Petraeus are greatly exaggerated and misleading.
Karzai says US must cut back - AP
Afghan President Hamid Karzai said the United States must reduce the visibility and intensity of its military operations
Obama administration moving away from 2011 Afghan withdraw - McClatchy
The new policy will be on display next week, where Obama officials hope to introduce a timeline that calls for the withdrawal of U.S. and NATO forces from Afghanistan by 2014
Military leaders embrace 2014 Afghan exit date - Fox News
U.S. Military leaders are prepared to back Afghan President Hamid Karzai’s timeline for U.S. troop withdrawal
Afghanistan receives 'bags of money' from Iran - AP
Karzai did not offer details about how the money was spent, saying only that it was used to ‘help the presidential office’ and to ‘dispense assistance’
Taliban, NATO, and the Afghani officials meet for peace talks - NYT
High-level talks aim for an end to the Afghan War
CNN plunges to worst ratings in more than 10 years - LAT
The network on Monday dipped to its worst nightly prime-time average in more than 10 years. An average of 327,000 total viewers tuned in from 8 to 11 p.m., according to the Nielsen Co. That’s the lowest since May 8, 2000
Thursday marks beginning of 10th year in Afghanistan war - AP
Uncertainty remains about whether the Obama administration is prepared to stay for the long haul
Afghan observers question election as tally starts - AP
It could take months to count the votes in the weekend’s parliamentary elections
Afghans vote despite attacks - AP
American troops protect civilians from terrorists as Afghans vote for a new parliament
Fear of voting in Afghanistan? - AP
Afghan officials assure citizens’ security during voting in this week’s parliamentary elections
Fla. pastor, imam at odds over Quran-burning deal - AP
Two religious leaders are at odds about whether a deal was struck to stop a Quran-burning at a tiny church in exchange for moving the location of a mosque planned near ground zero
Is Iran paying terrorists to kill U.S. troops? - The Sunday Times
Taliban is paid $1,000 by covert Iranian firms for each American service member killed in Afghanistan, sources tell The Sunday Times in London
Bailouts discussed in Afghanistan as Kabul bank crisis deepens - AP
Bailouts discussed in Afghanistan as Kabul bank crisis deepens
Negotiating With Terrorists - TheDC
Lawmakers suggest negotiations with the Taliban as the U.S. military prepares to leave Afghanistan next year