<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?><rss version="2.0"><channel><title>Afghanistan War: News &amp; Videos about Afghanistan War - CNN.com</title><link>http://topics.cnn.com/topics/feeds/rss/Afghanistan_War</link><description>Find stories, videos, and photos about Afghanistan War from CNN.com.</description><language>en-us</language><copyright>Cable News Network LP, LLLP.</copyright><pubDate>Thu, 26 Nov 2009 03:06:44 GMT</pubDate><ttl>5</ttl><image><title>Afghanistan War: News &amp; Videos about Afghanistan War - CNN.com</title><url>http://i.cdn.turner.com/cnn/.element/img/1.0/logo/cnn.logo.rss.gif</url><link>http://topics.cnn.com/topics/feeds/rss/Afghanistan_War</link><width>144</width><height>33</height><description>Find stories, videos, and photos about Afghanistan War from CNN.com.</description></image><item><title>Pentagon preparing to send 34,000 troops to Afghanistan, official says</title><link>http://www.cnn.com/2009/POLITICS/11/24/us.afghanistan/index.html#cnnSTCText</link><guid>http://www.cnn.com/2009/POLITICS/11/24/us.afghanistan/index.html#cnnSTCText</guid><description>The Pentagon is making detailed plans to send about 34,000 more U.S. troops to Afghanistan in anticipation of President Obama's decision on the future of the eight-year-old war, a defense official said Tuesday.</description><pubDate>Wed, 25 Nov 2009 02:47:00 EST</pubDate></item><item><title>Clinton says inauguration marks 'critical moment' for Afghanistan</title><link>http://www.cnn.com/2009/POLITICS/11/18/clinton.afghanistan/index.html#cnnSTCText</link><guid>http://www.cnn.com/2009/POLITICS/11/18/clinton.afghanistan/index.html#cnnSTCText</guid><description>Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said Wednesday -- the eve of Afghan President Hamid Karzai's inauguration for a second term -- that now is a "critical moment" for Afghanistan, because Karzai has a "clear window" to demonstrate what kind of government he will lead.</description><pubDate>Wed, 18 Nov 2009 19:46:00 EST</pubDate></item><item><title>Study: Army morale down in Afghanistan, up in Iraq</title><link>http://www.cnn.com/2009/US/11/13/afghanistan.army.morale/index.html#cnnSTCText</link><guid>http://www.cnn.com/2009/US/11/13/afghanistan.army.morale/index.html#cnnSTCText</guid><description>Increased fighting in Afghanistan has caused a drop in morale among U.S. soldiers while the reduction in combat in Iraq has bolstered morale, according to a new U.S. Army report released Friday.</description><pubDate>Sat, 14 Nov 2009 02:20:00 EST</pubDate></item><item><title>Zakaria: U.S. needs to test McChrystal request</title><link>http://www.cnn.com/2009/WORLD/asiapcf/10/30/zakaria.afghanistan.troops/index.html#cnnSTCText</link><guid>http://www.cnn.com/2009/WORLD/asiapcf/10/30/zakaria.afghanistan.troops/index.html#cnnSTCText</guid><description>A top Taliban political leader delivered a message Friday to U.S. President Obama, calling his attempt to lure away Taliban fighters with money "an old weapon that has failed already."</description><pubDate>Tue, 03 Nov 2009 16:23:00 EST</pubDate></item><item><title>Phantom fear of Taliban is driving the war in Afghanistan</title><link>http://www.cnn.com/2009/OPINION/11/02/dabashi.afghan.troops.taliban/index.html#cnnSTCText</link><guid>http://www.cnn.com/2009/OPINION/11/02/dabashi.afghan.troops.taliban/index.html#cnnSTCText</guid><description>The recent suicidal violence in Pakistan coincides with a growing concern that President Obama might be tempted by the same folly that drove President Bush and massively increase the number of U.S. troops in Afghanistan -- by up to 65,000 if he were to listen to some of his military advisers.</description><pubDate>Mon, 02 Nov 2009 19:37:00 EST</pubDate></item><item><title>Former U.S. official: Resignation over Afghan war is drawing support</title><link>http://www.cnn.com/2009/POLITICS/10/30/afghanistan.resignation/index.html#cnnSTCText</link><guid>http://www.cnn.com/2009/POLITICS/10/30/afghanistan.resignation/index.html#cnnSTCText</guid><description>A State Department employee who resigned last month in protest over America's war in Afghanistan said Friday he has received an outpouring of support from Afghan-Americans and U.S. active-duty military.</description><pubDate>Sat, 31 Oct 2009 04:31:00 EDT</pubDate></item><item><title>8 U.S. soldiers killed in Afghanistan</title><link>http://www.cnn.com/2009/WORLD/asiapcf/10/27/afghan.deaths/index.html#cnnSTCText</link><guid>http://www.cnn.com/2009/WORLD/asiapcf/10/27/afghan.deaths/index.html#cnnSTCText</guid><description>The U.S. military suffered another day of heavy losses in Afghanistan on Tuesday as roadside bombs killed eight soldiers, two military officials told CNN.</description><pubDate>Wed, 28 Oct 2009 01:30:00 EDT</pubDate></item><item><title>Detecting IEDs is daunting challenge for U.S. military</title><link>http://www.cnn.com/2009/WORLD/asiapcf/10/27/afghanistan.ieds/index.html#cnnSTCText</link><guid>http://www.cnn.com/2009/WORLD/asiapcf/10/27/afghanistan.ieds/index.html#cnnSTCText</guid><description>The most dangerous threat for U.S. troops in Afghanistan has come from roadside bombs -- often referred to as IEDs, short for improvised explosive devices.</description><pubDate>Tue, 27 Oct 2009 23:05:00 EDT</pubDate></item><item><title>Detecting IEDs a daunting challenge for U.S. military</title><link>http://www.cnn.com/2009/WORLD/asiapcf/10/27/ied.threat/index.html#cnnSTCText</link><guid>http://www.cnn.com/2009/WORLD/asiapcf/10/27/ied.threat/index.html#cnnSTCText</guid><description>The most dangerous threat for U.S. troops in Afghanistan has come from roadside bombs -- often referred to as IEDs, short for improvised explosive devices.</description><pubDate>Tue, 27 Oct 2009 19:43:00 EDT</pubDate></item><item><title>U.S. is losing Afghan war on two fronts</title><link>http://www.cnn.com/2009/OPINION/10/26/bergen.afghan.war/index.html#cnnSTCText</link><guid>http://www.cnn.com/2009/OPINION/10/26/bergen.afghan.war/index.html#cnnSTCText</guid><description>We are losing in Afghanistan, on two fronts. The most important center of gravity of the conflict -- as the Taliban well recognizes -- is the American public. And now, most Americans are opposed to the war.</description><pubDate>Mon, 26 Oct 2009 12:47:00 EDT</pubDate></item><item><title>Is Afghanistan Obama's Vietnam?</title><link>http://www.cnn.com/2009/POLITICS/10/24/intl.mann.obama.afghanistan/index.html#cnnSTCText</link><guid>http://www.cnn.com/2009/POLITICS/10/24/intl.mann.obama.afghanistan/index.html#cnnSTCText</guid><description>U.S. President Barack Obama says the war in Afghanistan isn't going to end up like Vietnam. A majority of Americans don't agree and don't want to get in any deeper, but even they don't like the alternative.</description><pubDate>Sat, 24 Oct 2009 14:58:00 EDT</pubDate></item><item><title>U.S. commander to address NATO on Afghan war strategy</title><link>http://www.cnn.com/2009/POLITICS/10/23/afghanistan.nato.meeting/index.html#cnnSTCText</link><guid>http://www.cnn.com/2009/POLITICS/10/23/afghanistan.nato.meeting/index.html#cnnSTCText</guid><description>The top U.S. commander in Afghanistan, Gen. Stanley McChrystal, plans to address NATO defense ministers Friday about the next steps for the military strategy.</description><pubDate>Fri, 23 Oct 2009 12:18:00 EDT</pubDate></item><item><title>Bomb kills 4 U.S. troops in Afghanistan</title><link>http://www.cnn.com/2009/WORLD/asiapcf/10/16/afghanistan.troops.killed/index.html#cnnSTCText</link><guid>http://www.cnn.com/2009/WORLD/asiapcf/10/16/afghanistan.troops.killed/index.html#cnnSTCText</guid><description>Four U.S. service members died in a roadside bombing attack, and two civilians were killed in crossfire during a military operation, military authorities in Afghanistan said Friday.</description><pubDate>Fri, 16 Oct 2009 11:52:00 EDT</pubDate></item><item><title>Report: Sarkozy says no Afghan troop boost</title><link>http://www.cnn.com/2009/WORLD/europe/10/15/france.afghanistan/index.html#cnnSTCText</link><guid>http://www.cnn.com/2009/WORLD/europe/10/15/france.afghanistan/index.html#cnnSTCText</guid><description>France will not send more troops to Afghanistan, President Nicolas Sarkozy told the country's Le Figaro newspaper Thursday.</description><pubDate>Fri, 16 Oct 2009 03:14:00 EDT</pubDate></item><item><title>NATO mandate in Afghanistan extended</title><link>http://www.cnn.com/2009/WORLD/asiapcf/10/08/afghanistan.explosion/index.html#cnnSTCText</link><guid>http://www.cnn.com/2009/WORLD/asiapcf/10/08/afghanistan.explosion/index.html#cnnSTCText</guid><description>The U.N. Security Council voted unanimously to pass a resolution extending the mandate of NATO-led military forces in Afghanistan for a year, hours after a deadly bombing near the Indian Embassy in Kabul.</description><pubDate>Fri, 09 Oct 2009 23:02:00 EDT</pubDate></item><item><title>Commentary: U.S.-Pakistan goals coming into alignment</title><link>http://www.cnn.com/2009/WORLD/meast/10/08/bergen.pakistan/index.html#cnnSTCText</link><guid>http://www.cnn.com/2009/WORLD/meast/10/08/bergen.pakistan/index.html#cnnSTCText</guid><description>It hasn't been too often in the past couple of years that you could write about good news from Pakistan. But if there is a silver lining to the atrocities that have plagued the country in the past several years, it is the fact that the Pakistani public, government and military are increasingly seeing the jihadist militants on their territory in a hostile light.</description><pubDate>Thu, 08 Oct 2009 11:47:00 EDT</pubDate></item><item><title>Harsh Afghan outposts raise serious challenges for U.S.</title><link>http://www.cnn.com/2009/WORLD/asiapcf/10/06/afghanistan.rural.fighting/index.html#cnnSTCText</link><guid>http://www.cnn.com/2009/WORLD/asiapcf/10/06/afghanistan.rural.fighting/index.html#cnnSTCText</guid><description>Mountainous terrain and harsh weather in remote parts of Afghanistan have proven a deadly combination for the U.S. military in its push to reduce mounting violence in the country.</description><pubDate>Wed, 07 Oct 2009 13:48:00 EDT</pubDate></item><item><title>Bodies of soldiers killed in Afghanistan back in U.S.</title><link>http://www.cnn.com/2009/US/10/06/us.afghanistan.troops/index.html#cnnSTCText</link><guid>http://www.cnn.com/2009/US/10/06/us.afghanistan.troops/index.html#cnnSTCText</guid><description>The flag-draped coffins of five U.S. soldiers killed during a weekend onslaught against a U.S. military outpost in Afghanistan arrived Tuesday at Dover Air Force Base in Delaware, the military said.</description><pubDate>Wed, 07 Oct 2009 00:33:00 EDT</pubDate></item><item><title>Obama adviser: Afghanistan in no immediate danger of falling</title><link>http://www.cnn.com/2009/POLITICS/10/04/us.afghanistan/index.html#cnnSTCText</link><guid>http://www.cnn.com/2009/POLITICS/10/04/us.afghanistan/index.html#cnnSTCText</guid><description>There is no immediate danger of Afghanistan falling to the Taliban, National Security Adviser James Jones said Sunday.</description><pubDate>Mon, 05 Oct 2009 01:43:00 EDT</pubDate></item><item><title>U.S. scrambling to come up with new Afghanistan plan?</title><link>http://www.cnn.com/2009/POLITICS/09/23/afghanistan.strategy/index.html#cnnSTCText</link><guid>http://www.cnn.com/2009/POLITICS/09/23/afghanistan.strategy/index.html#cnnSTCText</guid><description>The Obama administration's national security team is working on alternative strategies for the war in Afghanistan that may not require tens of thousands of additional U.S. troops, a senior U.S. official told CNN Wednesday.</description><pubDate>Wed, 23 Sep 2009 23:10:00 EDT</pubDate></item><item><title>Report: U.S. general calls for more troops in Afghanistan</title><link>http://www.cnn.com/2009/POLITICS/09/21/afghanistan.mcchrystal/index.html#cnnSTCText</link><guid>http://www.cnn.com/2009/POLITICS/09/21/afghanistan.mcchrystal/index.html#cnnSTCText</guid><description>America's top commander in Afghanistan warns that more troops are needed there within the next year or the nearly 8-year-old war "will likely result in failure," according to a copy of a 66-page document obtained by The Washington Post.</description><pubDate>Mon, 21 Sep 2009 22:13:00 EDT</pubDate></item><item><title>Taliban leader boasts of eventual victory in Afghanistan</title><link>http://www.cnn.com/2009/WORLD/asiapcf/09/19/afghan.mullah.omar/index.html#cnnSTCText</link><guid>http://www.cnn.com/2009/WORLD/asiapcf/09/19/afghan.mullah.omar/index.html#cnnSTCText</guid><description>The Taliban fight against American and NATO troops in Afghanistan "is forging ahead like a powerful flood," according to a purported online message posted Saturday by the Taliban's elusive leader, Mullah Mohammed Omar.</description><pubDate>Mon, 21 Sep 2009 03:17:00 EDT</pubDate></item><item><title>Berlusconi seeking Afghan exit for Italian troops</title><link>http://www.cnn.com/2009/WORLD/asiapcf/09/18/afghanistan.italy.troops/index.html#cnnSTCText</link><guid>http://www.cnn.com/2009/WORLD/asiapcf/09/18/afghanistan.italy.troops/index.html#cnnSTCText</guid><description>Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi said it would be "best" for the country's troops to leave Afghanistan as soon as possible after six were killed in a car bombing in Kabul.</description><pubDate>Fri, 18 Sep 2009 14:20:00 EDT</pubDate></item><item><title>Poll: Support for Afghan war at all-time low</title><link>http://www.cnn.com/2009/POLITICS/09/15/afghan.war.poll/index.html#cnnSTCText</link><guid>http://www.cnn.com/2009/POLITICS/09/15/afghan.war.poll/index.html#cnnSTCText</guid><description>Support for the war in Afghanistan is at an all-time low, according to a new national poll.</description><pubDate>Tue, 15 Sep 2009 14:47:00 EDT</pubDate></item><item><title>Pentagon plans troops to target roadside Afghanistan bombs</title><link>http://www.cnn.com/2009/POLITICS/09/11/afghan.troops/index.html#cnnSTCText</link><guid>http://www.cnn.com/2009/POLITICS/09/11/afghan.troops/index.html#cnnSTCText</guid><description>Defense Secretary Robert Gates is expected to approve sending thousands of additional forces to Afghanistan to deal with the growing threat from roadside bombs, Pentagon spokesman Geoff Morrell said Friday.</description><pubDate>Sat, 12 Sep 2009 03:11:00 EDT</pubDate></item><item><title>Five in NATO-led force killed in Afghanistan</title><link>http://www.cnn.com/2009/WORLD/asiapcf/09/07/afghanistan.soldiers.killed/index.html#cnnSTCText</link><guid>http://www.cnn.com/2009/WORLD/asiapcf/09/07/afghanistan.soldiers.killed/index.html#cnnSTCText</guid><description>Five members of the NATO-led force in Afghanistan died Sunday, the force said.</description><pubDate>Mon, 07 Sep 2009 12:41:00 EDT</pubDate></item><item><title>Local officials key to success in Afghanistan, British PM says</title><link>http://www.cnn.com/2009/WORLD/europe/09/04/afghanistan.britain.brown/index.html#cnnSTCText</link><guid>http://www.cnn.com/2009/WORLD/europe/09/04/afghanistan.britain.brown/index.html#cnnSTCText</guid><description>Success in Afghanistan will be measured by progress in training local military and police to take over their own security, British Prime Minister Gordon Brown said Friday.</description><pubDate>Fri, 04 Sep 2009 15:17:00 EDT</pubDate></item><item><title>Analysis: Why are the U.S., allies still in Afghanistan?</title><link>http://www.cnn.com/2009/WORLD/asiapcf/08/29/analysis.afghanistan.military/index.html#cnnSTCText</link><guid>http://www.cnn.com/2009/WORLD/asiapcf/08/29/analysis.afghanistan.military/index.html#cnnSTCText</guid><description>The U.S.-led war against the Taliban in Afghanistan has been a tough slog, a nearly eight-year conflict replete with gloom.</description><pubDate>Sat, 29 Aug 2009 12:46:00 EDT</pubDate></item><item><title>Monitors: Taliban cut off fingers of Afghan voters</title><link>http://www.cnn.com/2009/WORLD/asiapcf/08/22/afghanistan.election/index.html#cnnSTCText</link><guid>http://www.cnn.com/2009/WORLD/asiapcf/08/22/afghanistan.election/index.html#cnnSTCText</guid><description>Making good on a threat of election day violence, the Taliban sliced off the index fingers of at least two people in Kandahar province, according to a vote monitoring group.</description><pubDate>Sat, 22 Aug 2009 10:35:00 EDT</pubDate></item><item><title>Afghan police: Bomb attacks prevented</title><link>http://www.cnn.com/2009/WORLD/asiapcf/08/20/afghanistan.violence/index.html#cnnSTCText</link><guid>http://www.cnn.com/2009/WORLD/asiapcf/08/20/afghanistan.violence/index.html#cnnSTCText</guid><description>Police in northeast Afghanistan prevented two bomb attacks Thursday, as the country held presidential and provincial elections, authorities said.</description><pubDate>Thu, 20 Aug 2009 17:44:00 EDT</pubDate></item><item><title>Afghans head to the polls</title><link>http://www.cnn.com/2009/WORLD/asiapcf/08/19/afghanistan.election/index.html#cnnSTCText</link><guid>http://www.cnn.com/2009/WORLD/asiapcf/08/19/afghanistan.election/index.html#cnnSTCText</guid><description>Polls opened Thursday morning in Afghanistan, as the war-ravaged nation held its second-ever presidential and provincial council elections.</description><pubDate>Thu, 20 Aug 2009 06:40:00 EDT</pubDate></item><item><title>Afghan media blackout ordered as violence threatens vote</title><link>http://www.cnn.com/2009/WORLD/asiapcf/08/19/afghanistan.media.blackout/index.html#cnnSTCText</link><guid>http://www.cnn.com/2009/WORLD/asiapcf/08/19/afghanistan.media.blackout/index.html#cnnSTCText</guid><description>Security remains a top concern, as Afghanistan holds its second-ever presidential election Thursday, prompting the government to ask for a ban on media coverage of violence.</description><pubDate>Thu, 20 Aug 2009 06:05:00 EDT</pubDate></item><item><title>Pre-election violence kills 7 in Afghan capital</title><link>http://www.cnn.com/2009/WORLD/asiapcf/08/18/afghan.violence/index.html#cnnSTCText</link><guid>http://www.cnn.com/2009/WORLD/asiapcf/08/18/afghan.violence/index.html#cnnSTCText</guid><description>The Afghan capital, Kabul, came under attack Tuesday, two days before national elections. The violence included a rocket attack that damaged the presidential palace and a deadly suicide strike.</description><pubDate>Wed, 19 Aug 2009 00:58:00 EDT</pubDate></item><item><title>NATO on guard as big turnout expected in Afghan elections</title><link>http://www.cnn.com/2009/WORLD/asiapcf/08/18/afghanistan.elections.security/index.html#cnnSTCText</link><guid>http://www.cnn.com/2009/WORLD/asiapcf/08/18/afghanistan.elections.security/index.html#cnnSTCText</guid><description>Despite high-profile suicide bombings and attacks by the Taliban, NATO commanders believe voter turnout will be strong in Afghanistan during Thursday's national elections.</description><pubDate>Tue, 18 Aug 2009 21:58:00 EDT</pubDate></item><item><title>Maverick pro-Taliban militant offers to help U.S. forces</title><link>http://www.cnn.com/2009/WORLD/asiapcf/08/17/afghanistan.militants/index.html#cnnSTCText</link><guid>http://www.cnn.com/2009/WORLD/asiapcf/08/17/afghanistan.militants/index.html#cnnSTCText</guid><description>An Afghan militant group is willing to "help" U.S. and coalition forces, if they prepare to leave Afghanistan, the group's leader said in a statement given to CNN on Monday.</description><pubDate>Mon, 17 Aug 2009 09:34:00 EDT</pubDate></item><item><title>Blast in Kabul kills 7, injures dozens</title><link>http://www.cnn.com/2009/WORLD/asiapcf/08/15/afghanistan.explosion/index.html#cnnSTCText</link><guid>http://www.cnn.com/2009/WORLD/asiapcf/08/15/afghanistan.explosion/index.html#cnnSTCText</guid><description>A suicide car bombing exploded outside the NATO headquarters in Afghanistan early Saturday, killing seven people and injuring 91 just five days before the country holds presidential elections, an Interior Ministry spokesman said.</description><pubDate>Sat, 15 Aug 2009 21:52:00 EDT</pubDate></item><item><title>Official: Afghan elders, Taliban discuss truce</title><link>http://www.cnn.com/2009/WORLD/asiapcf/08/14/afghanistan.truce.talks/index.html#cnnSTCText</link><guid>http://www.cnn.com/2009/WORLD/asiapcf/08/14/afghanistan.truce.talks/index.html#cnnSTCText</guid><description>Elders and religious leaders in southern Afghanistan are in talks with local Taliban leaders in an effort to reach a truce ahead of next week's election, a top Afghan official told CNN on Friday.</description><pubDate>Fri, 14 Aug 2009 16:04:00 EDT</pubDate></item><item><title>Troops move to secure southern Afghanistan before vote</title><link>http://www.cnn.com/2009/WORLD/asiapcf/08/12/afghan.elections/index.html#cnnSTCText</link><guid>http://www.cnn.com/2009/WORLD/asiapcf/08/12/afghan.elections/index.html#cnnSTCText</guid><description>Hundreds of U.S. Marines and Afghan soldiers have moved into southern Afghanistan to protect citizens during upcoming elections, military officials said.</description><pubDate>Wed, 12 Aug 2009 12:50:00 EDT</pubDate></item><item><title>Taliban still a major threat 8 years later</title><link>http://www.cnn.com/2009/WORLD/asiapcf/08/10/afghanistan.taliban.challenge/index.html#cnnSTCText</link><guid>http://www.cnn.com/2009/WORLD/asiapcf/08/10/afghanistan.taliban.challenge/index.html#cnnSTCText</guid><description>It has been nearly eight years since U.S. forces overthrew the Taliban leaders of Afghanistan, but the war against the Taliban insurgency is bloodier than ever.</description><pubDate>Tue, 11 Aug 2009 00:12:00 EDT</pubDate></item><item><title>Commentary: More troops needed for Afghan war</title><link>http://www.cnn.com/2009/POLITICS/08/04/bergen.afghanistan/index.html#cnnSTCText</link><guid>http://www.cnn.com/2009/POLITICS/08/04/bergen.afghanistan/index.html#cnnSTCText</guid><description>CNN's Barbara Starr reported last week that Gen. Stanley McChrystal, the top U.S. commander in Afghanistan, is expected to ask the Obama administration for additional troops and equipment for conducting intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance, as well as more military resources to deal with roadside bombs and explosives.</description><pubDate>Tue, 04 Aug 2009 14:02:00 EDT</pubDate></item><item><title>Civilian deaths in Afghanistan war surge</title><link>http://www.cnn.com/2009/WORLD/asiapcf/07/31/afghanistan.civilian.deaths/index.html#cnnSTCText</link><guid>http://www.cnn.com/2009/WORLD/asiapcf/07/31/afghanistan.civilian.deaths/index.html#cnnSTCText</guid><description>Civilian casualties resulting from Afghanistan's war have spiked, jumping some 24 percent above figures from last year, the United Nations reported Friday.</description><pubDate>Fri, 31 Jul 2009 15:23:00 EDT</pubDate></item><item><title>U.S., Britain: We're not deterred in Afghanistan</title><link>http://www.cnn.com/2009/US/07/29/us.afghanistan/index.html#cnnSTCText</link><guid>http://www.cnn.com/2009/US/07/29/us.afghanistan/index.html#cnnSTCText</guid><description>The United States and Britain said Wednesday they are committed to remaining in Afghanistan, despite increased military casualties and declining public support for the war effort.</description><pubDate>Thu, 30 Jul 2009 00:55:00 EDT</pubDate></item><item><title>Seven suicide attackers strike at Afghan facilities</title><link>http://www.cnn.com/2009/WORLD/asiapcf/07/25/afghanistan.wrap/index.html#cnnSTCText</link><guid>http://www.cnn.com/2009/WORLD/asiapcf/07/25/afghanistan.wrap/index.html#cnnSTCText</guid><description>At least seven Taliban insurgents wearing suicide vests and wielding machine guns struck at government targets Saturday in the eastern city of Khost, authorities in Afghanistan said.</description><pubDate>Sat, 25 Jul 2009 18:52:00 EDT</pubDate></item><item><title>UK minister: Helmand troops need more helicopters</title><link>http://www.cnn.com/2009/WORLD/europe/07/22/uk.afghanistan/index.html#cnnSTCText</link><guid>http://www.cnn.com/2009/WORLD/europe/07/22/uk.afghanistan/index.html#cnnSTCText</guid><description>A UK government minister on Wednesday reopened the dispute over support for troops in Afghanistan by insisting they had insufficient helicopters.</description><pubDate>Thu, 23 Jul 2009 00:22:00 EDT</pubDate></item><item><title>July becomes deadliest month for foreign troops in Afghanistan</title><link>http://www.cnn.com/2009/WORLD/meast/07/16/afghanistan.troop.deaths/index.html#cnnSTCText</link><guid>http://www.cnn.com/2009/WORLD/meast/07/16/afghanistan.troop.deaths/index.html#cnnSTCText</guid><description>The death of a Canadian soldier in battle-scarred Afghanistan on Thursday brings this month's toll of international military fatalities in the war to 47, the highest monthly tally so far, a CNN count of official statistics shows.</description><pubDate>Thu, 16 Jul 2009 22:13:00 EDT</pubDate></item><item><title>Commentary: West stares into Afghan abyss</title><link>http://www.cnn.com/2009/WORLD/europe/07/15/afghanistan.analysis/index.html#cnnSTCText</link><guid>http://www.cnn.com/2009/WORLD/europe/07/15/afghanistan.analysis/index.html#cnnSTCText</guid><description>Given its long history of warfare, the United Kingdom is not squeamish about fatalities in time of war and yet a debate has been ignited by the deaths of 15 British soldiers in Afghanistan over the last few weeks. The question now is whether this profound soul-searching results in a more efficient policy towards the war-torn country.</description><pubDate>Wed, 15 Jul 2009 15:38:00 EDT</pubDate></item><item><title>Five dead as helicopter crashes in Afghanistan</title><link>http://www.cnn.com/2009/WORLD/asiapcf/07/14/afghanistan.helicopter.crash/index.html#cnnSTCText</link><guid>http://www.cnn.com/2009/WORLD/asiapcf/07/14/afghanistan.helicopter.crash/index.html#cnnSTCText</guid><description>At least five people were killed when a helicopter went down in southern Afghanistan's Helmand province Tuesday, a local government official said.</description><pubDate>Tue, 14 Jul 2009 16:44:00 EDT</pubDate></item><item><title>Official: Pakistan can help broker U.S.-Taliban talks</title><link>http://www.cnn.com/2009/WORLD/asiapcf/07/10/pakistan.taliban.omar/index.html#cnnSTCText</link><guid>http://www.cnn.com/2009/WORLD/asiapcf/07/10/pakistan.taliban.omar/index.html#cnnSTCText</guid><description>The Pakistan military has declared that not only is it in contact with Afghan Taliban leader Mullah Mohammed Omar but that it can bring him and other commanders to the negotiating table with the United States.</description><pubDate>Sat, 11 Jul 2009 09:25:00 EDT</pubDate></item><item><title>U.S. commander: More Afghan troops needed in Taliban push</title><link>http://www.cnn.com/2009/WORLD/asiapcf/07/08/afghanistan.offensive/index.html#cnnSTCText</link><guid>http://www.cnn.com/2009/WORLD/asiapcf/07/08/afghanistan.offensive/index.html#cnnSTCText</guid><description>The commander of the U.S. Marines conducting a push against the Taliban in southern Afghanistan said Wednesday that more Afghan security forces are needed to do the job.</description><pubDate>Thu, 09 Jul 2009 00:18:00 EDT</pubDate></item><item><title>Suicide bomber kills 2 in Afghanistan</title><link>http://www.cnn.com/2009/WORLD/asiapcf/07/06/afghanistan.bombing/index.html#cnnSTCText</link><guid>http://www.cnn.com/2009/WORLD/asiapcf/07/06/afghanistan.bombing/index.html#cnnSTCText</guid><description>A suicide car bombing Monday at the Kandahar airport killed two and injured 16, Afghanistan's military said.</description><pubDate>Mon, 06 Jul 2009 06:29:00 EDT</pubDate></item><item><title>2 U.S. troops killed in Afghanistan</title><link>http://www.cnn.com/2009/WORLD/asiapcf/07/04/afghanistan.troops/index.html#cnnSTCText</link><guid>http://www.cnn.com/2009/WORLD/asiapcf/07/04/afghanistan.troops/index.html#cnnSTCText</guid><description>Two separate militant assaults Saturday in the southeastern Afghan province of Paktika led to the deaths of two U.S. soldiers and at least 42 insurgents, military officials said.</description><pubDate>Sun, 05 Jul 2009 07:11:00 EDT</pubDate></item><item><title>Marines targeting Taliban in Afghan push</title><link>http://www.cnn.com/2009/WORLD/asiapcf/07/03/afghanistan.offensive/index.html#cnnSTCText</link><guid>http://www.cnn.com/2009/WORLD/asiapcf/07/03/afghanistan.offensive/index.html#cnnSTCText</guid><description>U.S. Marines on Friday kept up a major push against entrenched militants in southern Afghanistan in an attempt to rout the Taliban from their stronghold in Helmand province, Marine Capt. William Pelletier said.</description><pubDate>Fri, 03 Jul 2009 20:13:00 EDT</pubDate></item><item><title>U.S. launches 'major operation' in Afghanistan</title><link>http://www.cnn.com/2009/WORLD/asiapcf/07/02/afghanistan.operation.sword/index.html#cnnSTCText</link><guid>http://www.cnn.com/2009/WORLD/asiapcf/07/02/afghanistan.operation.sword/index.html#cnnSTCText</guid><description>A Marine was killed in action and several others wounded Thursday in a major U.S.-led offensive in southern Afghanistan, the Marines said.</description><pubDate>Thu, 02 Jul 2009 21:27:00 EDT</pubDate></item><item><title>Karzai demands U.S. forces turn over Afghan killing suspects</title><link>http://www.cnn.com/2009/WORLD/asiapcf/06/29/afghanistan.karzai.dispute/index.html#cnnSTCText</link><guid>http://www.cnn.com/2009/WORLD/asiapcf/06/29/afghanistan.karzai.dispute/index.html#cnnSTCText</guid><description>Tensions mounted between U.S.-led coalition forces and the Afghan government Monday, as Afghan President Hamid Karzai demanded U.S. troops hand over private security guards suspected of involvement in the killing of a top Kandahar law enforcement official.</description><pubDate>Thu, 02 Jul 2009 02:24:00 EDT</pubDate></item><item><title>Coalition troops attack Taliban in Afghanistan</title><link>http://www.cnn.com/2009/WORLD/asiapcf/06/23/afghanistan.airstrike.taliban/index.html#cnnSTCText</link><guid>http://www.cnn.com/2009/WORLD/asiapcf/06/23/afghanistan.airstrike.taliban/index.html#cnnSTCText</guid><description>Coalition troops launched a massive assault on a Taliban stronghold in southern Afghanistan and were able to push militants out of some areas they had controlled, the coalition said in a statement.</description><pubDate>Wed, 24 Jun 2009 01:32:00 EDT</pubDate></item><item><title>Analysis: The changing fight in Pakistan</title><link>http://www.cnn.com/2009/WORLD/asiapcf/06/16/pakistan.taliban.robertson/index.html#cnnSTCText</link><guid>http://www.cnn.com/2009/WORLD/asiapcf/06/16/pakistan.taliban.robertson/index.html#cnnSTCText</guid><description>Every time I come to Pakistan these days I see more security.</description><pubDate>Tue, 16 Jun 2009 11:00:00 EDT</pubDate></item><item><title>UK troops kill 'dangerous' Taliban leader</title><link>http://www.cnn.com/2009/WORLD/asiapcf/06/02/afghan.taliban/index.html#cnnSTCText</link><guid>http://www.cnn.com/2009/WORLD/asiapcf/06/02/afghan.taliban/index.html#cnnSTCText</guid><description>British troops killed a "most dangerous" Taliban leader responsible for the deaths of two British service members and likely hundreds of civilians, the defense ministry said Tuesday.</description><pubDate>Tue, 02 Jun 2009 18:06:00 EDT</pubDate></item><item><title>McChrystal says minimizing casualties crucial for success</title><link>http://www.cnn.com/2009/POLITICS/06/02/mcchrystal.senate.hearing/index.html#cnnSTCText</link><guid>http://www.cnn.com/2009/POLITICS/06/02/mcchrystal.senate.hearing/index.html#cnnSTCText</guid><description>President Obama's nominee to command U.S. and NATO troops in Afghanistan said Tuesday that to be successful, an aggressive counterinsurgency campaign must minimize civilian casualties and collateral damage.</description><pubDate>Tue, 02 Jun 2009 17:23:00 EDT</pubDate></item><item><title>'He would have found bin Laden'</title><link>http://www.cnn.com/2009/WORLD/asiapcf/05/27/massoud.afghanistan/index.html#cnnSTCText</link><guid>http://www.cnn.com/2009/WORLD/asiapcf/05/27/massoud.afghanistan/index.html#cnnSTCText</guid><description>Sebastian Junger found him crouched on a battlefield in Afghanistan, fighting to stay alive.</description><pubDate>Wed, 27 May 2009 23:38:00 EDT</pubDate></item><item><title>Pentagon: Ex-Gitmo detainees turning to terrorism on rise</title><link>http://www.cnn.com/2009/US/05/26/gitmo.recidivism/index.html#cnnSTCText</link><guid>http://www.cnn.com/2009/US/05/26/gitmo.recidivism/index.html#cnnSTCText</guid><description>Mohammed Ismail was released from the U.S. detention facility at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, in early 2004 and sent back to Afghanistan to be set free.</description><pubDate>Tue, 26 May 2009 22:19:00 EDT</pubDate></item><item><title>Ex-Taliban claims abuse at Gitmo, Bagram: 'They were beating me'</title><link>http://www.cnn.com/2009/WORLD/asiapcf/05/24/gitmo.taliban.prisoner/index.html#cnnSTCText</link><guid>http://www.cnn.com/2009/WORLD/asiapcf/05/24/gitmo.taliban.prisoner/index.html#cnnSTCText</guid><description>As one of the right-hand men to Taliban leader Mullah Omar, Mullah Abdul Salam Zaeef was one of the first Taliban leaders arrested when the United States began military operations in Afghanistan.</description><pubDate>Mon, 25 May 2009 17:51:00 EDT</pubDate></item><item><title>U.S. admits airstrike killed dozens of civilians</title><link>http://www.cnn.com/2009/WORLD/asiapcf/05/20/afghan.airstrike/index.html#cnnSTCText</link><guid>http://www.cnn.com/2009/WORLD/asiapcf/05/20/afghan.airstrike/index.html#cnnSTCText</guid><description>American airstrikes earlier this month during a western Afghanistan battle with Taliban militants may have killed up to 30 civilians, an interim U.S. military report said on Wednesday.</description><pubDate>Wed, 20 May 2009 17:04:00 EDT</pubDate></item><item><title>Bomber kills 7 near U.S. base in Afghanistan</title><link>http://www.cnn.com/2009/WORLD/asiapcf/05/13/afghanistan.fighting/index.html#cnnSTCText</link><guid>http://www.cnn.com/2009/WORLD/asiapcf/05/13/afghanistan.fighting/index.html#cnnSTCText</guid><description>A car bomber targeted a U.S. base in eastern Afghanistan, killing seven people Wednesday, a day after Taliban militants attacked many locations in the city of Khost, U.S. military officials said.</description><pubDate>Wed, 13 May 2009 06:50:00 EDT</pubDate></item><item><title>Taliban storm strategic Afghan city</title><link>http://www.cnn.com/2009/WORLD/asiapcf/05/12/afghanistan.fighting/index.html#cnnSTCText</link><guid>http://www.cnn.com/2009/WORLD/asiapcf/05/12/afghanistan.fighting/index.html#cnnSTCText</guid><description>A Taliban suicide bomb squad disguised as regular Afghan army troops stormed a strategic city close to the border with Pakistan Tuesday, prompting a fierce six-hour battle with U.S. troops, local officials and the U.S. military said.</description><pubDate>Tue, 12 May 2009 17:07:00 EDT</pubDate></item><item><title>Changing course in Afghanistan</title><link>http://www.cnn.com/2009/POLITICS/05/12/afghanistan.replacement/index.html#cnnSTCText</link><guid>http://www.cnn.com/2009/POLITICS/05/12/afghanistan.replacement/index.html#cnnSTCText</guid><description>Just 11 months ago, Defense Secretary Robert Gates selected Gen. David McKiernan to head the war in Afghanistan.</description><pubDate>Tue, 12 May 2009 16:55:00 EDT</pubDate></item><item><title>Gates says Taliban have momentum in Afghanistan</title><link>http://www.cnn.com/2009/POLITICS/05/06/mideast.gates/index.html#cnnSTCText</link><guid>http://www.cnn.com/2009/POLITICS/05/06/mideast.gates/index.html#cnnSTCText</guid><description>The Taliban in Afghanistan have momentum that makes any effort to negotiate with them difficult, the U.S. defense secretary said.</description><pubDate>Wed, 06 May 2009 18:32:00 EDT</pubDate></item><item><title>Transcript: Afghan Taliban spokesman discusses war</title><link>http://www.cnn.com/2009/WORLD/asiapcf/05/05/afghan.taliban.transcript/index.html#cnnSTCText</link><guid>http://www.cnn.com/2009/WORLD/asiapcf/05/05/afghan.taliban.transcript/index.html#cnnSTCText</guid><description>Zabiullah Mujahid, one of two spokesmen for Afghan Taliban leader Mullah Mohammed Omar, spoke recently with CNN's Nic Robertson about the war in Afghanistan and the Taliban's relationship with al Qaeda.</description><pubDate>Tue, 05 May 2009 21:16:00 EDT</pubDate></item><item><title>U.S. 'extremely concerned' about Taliban movements in Pakistan</title><link>http://www.cnn.com/2009/WORLD/asiapcf/04/24/pakistan.taliban.control.gilani/index.html#cnnSTCText</link><guid>http://www.cnn.com/2009/WORLD/asiapcf/04/24/pakistan.taliban.control.gilani/index.html#cnnSTCText</guid><description>The United States is keeping a close eye on Pakistan after this week's Taliban surge into the Buner district brought them just 60 miles from the capital, Islamabad.</description><pubDate>Sat, 25 Apr 2009 01:03:00 EDT</pubDate></item><item><title>Afghan vets share experiences, advice with lawmakers</title><link>http://www.cnn.com/2009/POLITICS/04/23/afghan.war.stories/index.html#cnnSTCText</link><guid>http://www.cnn.com/2009/POLITICS/04/23/afghan.war.stories/index.html#cnnSTCText</guid><description>Veterans of the war in Afghanistan appeared before a Senate committee Thursday, sharing stories of success and failure in the nearly eight-year conflict while offering sharply differing opinions of the current U.S. military and diplomatic strategy.</description><pubDate>Thu, 23 Apr 2009 19:06:00 EDT</pubDate></item><item><title>Bergen: Pakistan lacks strategy to deal with Taliban</title><link>http://www.cnn.com/2009/WORLD/asiapcf/04/22/bergen.pakistan.qa/index.html#cnnSTCText</link><guid>http://www.cnn.com/2009/WORLD/asiapcf/04/22/bergen.pakistan.qa/index.html#cnnSTCText</guid><description>Taliban militants took control Wednesday of a district 60 miles away from the Pakistani capital of Islamabad.</description><pubDate>Thu, 23 Apr 2009 02:25:00 EDT</pubDate></item><item><title>U.S. generals gauge where fight in Afghanistan is headed</title><link>http://www.cnn.com/2009/POLITICS/04/20/afghanistan.status/index.html#cnnSTCText</link><guid>http://www.cnn.com/2009/POLITICS/04/20/afghanistan.status/index.html#cnnSTCText</guid><description>Sending 21,000 more troops to Afghanistan is the centerpiece of the Obama administration's strategy for winning there . Commanders say victory is achievable, but those in the field expect a long road ahead.</description><pubDate>Mon, 20 Apr 2009 19:50:00 EDT</pubDate></item><item><title>Canadian soldier killed in Afghan roadside blast</title><link>http://www.cnn.com/2009/WORLD/americas/04/14/canada.death/index.html#cnnSTCText</link><guid>http://www.cnn.com/2009/WORLD/americas/04/14/canada.death/index.html#cnnSTCText</guid><description>A roadside bomb in southern Afghanistan killed a female Canadian soldier and wounded four other troops, the Canadian military said Tuesday.</description><pubDate>Tue, 14 Apr 2009 19:14:00 EDT</pubDate></item><item><title>Obama wants another $83 billion for Iraq, Afghanistan</title><link>http://www.cnn.com/2009/POLITICS/04/09/obama.war.funding/index.html#cnnSTCText</link><guid>http://www.cnn.com/2009/POLITICS/04/09/obama.war.funding/index.html#cnnSTCText</guid><description>The Obama administration will ask Congress for another $83.4 billion to fund the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan through the end of September, Democratic congressional sources said Thursday.</description><pubDate>Fri, 10 Apr 2009 00:28:00 EDT</pubDate></item><item><title>NATO allies pledge 5,000 troops to Afghanistan</title><link>http://www.cnn.com/2009/WORLD/europe/04/04/afghan.troops/index.html#cnnSTCText</link><guid>http://www.cnn.com/2009/WORLD/europe/04/04/afghan.troops/index.html#cnnSTCText</guid><description>America's NATO allies in Afghanistan are committing 5,000 more troops to the fight against the Taliban, White House spokesman Robert Gibbs said Saturday.</description><pubDate>Sat, 04 Apr 2009 16:32:00 EDT</pubDate></item><item><title>20 insurgents killed in Taliban stronghold</title><link>http://www.cnn.com/2009/WORLD/asiapcf/04/04/afghan.insurgents/index.html#cnnSTCText</link><guid>http://www.cnn.com/2009/WORLD/asiapcf/04/04/afghan.insurgents/index.html#cnnSTCText</guid><description>Violence flared in southern Afghanistan, with a NATO-led service member killed Saturday and 20 suspected insurgents slain in Helmand province Friday, authorities said.</description><pubDate>Sat, 04 Apr 2009 13:36:00 EDT</pubDate></item><item><title>Afghan soldiers kill 20 militants</title><link>http://www.cnn.com/2009/WORLD/asiapcf/04/02/afghanistan.fighting/index.html#cnnSTCText</link><guid>http://www.cnn.com/2009/WORLD/asiapcf/04/02/afghanistan.fighting/index.html#cnnSTCText</guid><description>Afghan soldiers killed 20 armed militants in southern Afghanistan, the U.S. military said Thursday.</description><pubDate>Thu, 02 Apr 2009 12:16:00 EDT</pubDate></item><item><title>McCain: Afghanistan challenge 'not as tough' as Iraq</title><link>http://www.cnn.com/2009/POLITICS/03/31/mccain.afghanistan/index.html#cnnSTCText</link><guid>http://www.cnn.com/2009/POLITICS/03/31/mccain.afghanistan/index.html#cnnSTCText</guid><description>While President Obama has insisted that securing Afghanistan against a rise in terrorist groups is a top security priority, Sen. John McCain said Tuesday that the problems in that country are not as thorny as those in Iraq.</description><pubDate>Wed, 01 Apr 2009 19:08:00 EDT</pubDate></item><item><title>Clinton backs talks with moderate Taliban</title><link>http://www.cnn.com/2009/POLITICS/03/31/clinton.afghanistan/index.html#cnnSTCText</link><guid>http://www.cnn.com/2009/POLITICS/03/31/clinton.afghanistan/index.html#cnnSTCText</guid><description>Secretary of State Hillary Clinton on Tuesday endorsed Afghan plans to hold reconciliation talks with moderate Taliban members.</description><pubDate>Wed, 01 Apr 2009 02:38:00 EDT</pubDate></item><item><title>Analysis: U.S. takes 'reach-out' approach to Afghan summit</title><link>http://www.cnn.com/2009/POLITICS/03/31/labott.iran/index.html#cnnSTCText</link><guid>http://www.cnn.com/2009/POLITICS/03/31/labott.iran/index.html#cnnSTCText</guid><description>When President Obama meets the leaders of NATO countries in Strasbourg, France, on Thursday, the gathering will be large on pomp and circumstance to celebrate NATO's 60th anniversary and short on substance on the major challenge facing the alliance: how to stabilize Afghanistan.</description><pubDate>Tue, 31 Mar 2009 20:01:00 EDT</pubDate></item><item><title>Afghan president praises Obama's new war plan</title><link>http://www.cnn.com/2009/WORLD/asiapcf/03/28/afghanistan.us/index.html#cnnSTCText</link><guid>http://www.cnn.com/2009/WORLD/asiapcf/03/28/afghanistan.us/index.html#cnnSTCText</guid><description>Afghan President Hamid Karzai on Saturday praised U.S. President Barack Obama's new plan for the war in Afghanistan.</description><pubDate>Tue, 31 Mar 2009 01:28:00 EDT</pubDate></item><item><title>Obama to send 4,000 more troops to Afghanistan, officials say</title><link>http://www.cnn.com/2009/POLITICS/03/26/us.afghanistan.troops/index.html#cnnSTCText</link><guid>http://www.cnn.com/2009/POLITICS/03/26/us.afghanistan.troops/index.html#cnnSTCText</guid><description>President Obama plans to send another 4,000 troops to Afghanistan along with hundreds of civilian specialists in an effort to confront what he considers "the central challenge facing [that] country," senior administration officials said Thursday.</description><pubDate>Mon, 30 Mar 2009 00:56:00 EDT</pubDate></item><item><title>Bomb kills 3 Afghan Army commandos</title><link>http://www.cnn.com/2009/WORLD/asiapcf/03/29/afghanistan.attack/index.html#cnnSTCText</link><guid>http://www.cnn.com/2009/WORLD/asiapcf/03/29/afghanistan.attack/index.html#cnnSTCText</guid><description>A roadside bomb in eastern Afghanistan on Saturday killed three Afghan army commandos, the U.S. military said.</description><pubDate>Sun, 29 Mar 2009 05:22:00 EDT</pubDate></item><item><title>Analysis: Americans wary about war in Afghanistan</title><link>http://www.cnn.com/2009/POLITICS/03/28/afghanistan.polls/index.html#cnnSTCText</link><guid>http://www.cnn.com/2009/POLITICS/03/28/afghanistan.polls/index.html#cnnSTCText</guid><description>How does the American public feel about the war in Afghanistan? In a word, wary.</description><pubDate>Sun, 29 Mar 2009 01:41:00 EDT</pubDate></item><item><title>Obama: Anti-terror plans focus on Pakistan, Afghanistan</title><link>http://www.cnn.com/2009/POLITICS/03/27/us.afghanistan.troops/index.html#cnnSTCText</link><guid>http://www.cnn.com/2009/POLITICS/03/27/us.afghanistan.troops/index.html#cnnSTCText</guid><description>More troops, new legislation, improved troop training and added civilian expertise highlight President Obama's strategy to fight terrorism in Afghanistan and Pakistan.</description><pubDate>Sat, 28 Mar 2009 03:23:00 EDT</pubDate></item><item><title>Afghan soldier kills two coalition troops, U.S. says</title><link>http://www.cnn.com/2009/WORLD/asiapcf/03/27/afghanistan.soldiers.killed/index.html#cnnSTCText</link><guid>http://www.cnn.com/2009/WORLD/asiapcf/03/27/afghanistan.soldiers.killed/index.html#cnnSTCText</guid><description>An Afghan soldier reportedly shot and killed two coalition service members in northern Afghanistan on Friday, U.S. forces in Afghanistan said.</description><pubDate>Fri, 27 Mar 2009 17:28:00 EDT</pubDate></item><item><title>Dozens dead in Pakistan mosque attack</title><link>http://www.cnn.com/2009/WORLD/asiapcf/03/27/pakistan.mosque.bomb/index.html#cnnSTCText</link><guid>http://www.cnn.com/2009/WORLD/asiapcf/03/27/pakistan.mosque.bomb/index.html#cnnSTCText</guid><description>A devastating suicide blast struck a mosque in the strife-torn tribal region of Pakistan Friday, killing at least 51 people and wounding more than 100 others, local officials said.</description><pubDate>Fri, 27 Mar 2009 16:34:00 EDT</pubDate></item><item><title>UK ready to send more troops to Afghanistan</title><link>http://www.cnn.com/2009/WORLD/europe/03/27/britain.afghanistan.troops/index.html#cnnSTCText</link><guid>http://www.cnn.com/2009/WORLD/europe/03/27/britain.afghanistan.troops/index.html#cnnSTCText</guid><description>Britain is prepared to send more troops to Afghanistan, the head of the British Army said in an interview published Friday.</description><pubDate>Fri, 27 Mar 2009 11:34:00 EDT</pubDate></item><item><title>Six dead in Afghan car bomb attack</title><link>http://www.cnn.com/2009/WORLD/asiapcf/03/21/afghanistan.fighting/index.html#cnnSTCText</link><guid>http://www.cnn.com/2009/WORLD/asiapcf/03/21/afghanistan.fighting/index.html#cnnSTCText</guid><description>Five Afghan civilians and one police officer died Saturday in a car bomb attack targeting a police checkpoint in the country's northeastern region, the NATO command reported.</description><pubDate>Sat, 21 Mar 2009 12:12:00 EDT</pubDate></item><item><title>30 armed militants killed in Afghanistan</title><link>http://www.cnn.com/2009/WORLD/asiapcf/03/19/afghanistan.fighting/index.html#cnnSTCText</link><guid>http://www.cnn.com/2009/WORLD/asiapcf/03/19/afghanistan.fighting/index.html#cnnSTCText</guid><description>Thirty armed militants were killed on Thursday during a fight with troops in southern Afghanistan, the U.S. military said.</description><pubDate>Fri, 20 Mar 2009 03:02:00 EDT</pubDate></item><item><title>Taliban threaten to kill aid workers as spies</title><link>http://www.cnn.com/2009/WORLD/asiapcf/03/15/afghan.taliban.threat/index.html#cnnSTCText</link><guid>http://www.cnn.com/2009/WORLD/asiapcf/03/15/afghan.taliban.threat/index.html#cnnSTCText</guid><description>A top Taliban commander has issued a new threat to foreign aid workers, saying that under the insurgent group's new "constitution" they will execute them as spies or hold them in exchange for the release of Taliban fighters.</description><pubDate>Mon, 16 Mar 2009 01:28:00 EDT</pubDate></item><item><title>Is talking to Taliban the right approach?</title><link>http://www.cnn.com/2009/POLITICS/03/09/obama.taliban/index.html#cnnSTCText</link><guid>http://www.cnn.com/2009/POLITICS/03/09/obama.taliban/index.html#cnnSTCText</guid><description>President Obama says the United States could be open to reaching out to some moderates in the Taliban in a manner similar to successful efforts with Sunni militants in Iraq.</description><pubDate>Mon, 09 Mar 2009 21:57:00 EDT</pubDate></item><item><title>Commentary: Deals with Taliban could be dangerous</title><link>http://www.cnn.com/2009/POLITICS/03/09/bergen.taliban/index.html#cnnSTCText</link><guid>http://www.cnn.com/2009/POLITICS/03/09/bergen.taliban/index.html#cnnSTCText</guid><description>It is a longstanding cliché that there is no military solution in Afghanistan, only a political one.</description><pubDate>Mon, 09 Mar 2009 18:44:00 EDT</pubDate></item><item><title>Afghanistan: Coalition forces kill 12 militants</title><link>http://www.cnn.com/2009/WORLD/asiapcf/03/07/afghanistan.militants.dead/index.html#cnnSTCText</link><guid>http://www.cnn.com/2009/WORLD/asiapcf/03/07/afghanistan.militants.dead/index.html#cnnSTCText</guid><description>Afghan Border Police and coalition forces killed 12 militants and detained five suspected militants in several operations Saturday, the U.S.-led coalition announced.</description><pubDate>Sat, 07 Mar 2009 20:23:00 EST</pubDate></item><item><title>Report: More young girls face rape in Afghanistan</title><link>http://www.cnn.com/2009/WORLD/asiapcf/03/06/afghan.women/index.html#cnnSTCText</link><guid>http://www.cnn.com/2009/WORLD/asiapcf/03/06/afghan.women/index.html#cnnSTCText</guid><description>Rapes targeting girls as young as seven are on the increase in Afghanistan where conditions for women are little better than under the Taliban, the U.N. and rights groups say.</description><pubDate>Fri, 06 Mar 2009 12:00:00 EST</pubDate></item><item><title>Afghanistan: U.S. airbase attack wounds 3</title><link>http://www.cnn.com/2009/WORLD/asiapcf/03/04/afghan.suicide.attack.bagram/index.html#cnnSTCText</link><guid>http://www.cnn.com/2009/WORLD/asiapcf/03/04/afghan.suicide.attack.bagram/index.html#cnnSTCText</guid><description>A suicide attack outside of Bagram Air Base in Afghanistan injured three American civilian contractors Wednesday, the U.S. military said.</description><pubDate>Thu, 05 Mar 2009 08:58:00 EST</pubDate></item><item><title>Gates calls Pakistan 'most worrisome'</title><link>http://www.cnn.com/2009/US/03/01/us.afghanistan/index.html#cnnSTCText</link><guid>http://www.cnn.com/2009/US/03/01/us.afghanistan/index.html#cnnSTCText</guid><description>The "most worrisome" part of the U.S.-led war in Afghanistan has become the havens the Taliban and other insurgents have carved out in neighboring Pakistan, U.S. Defense Secretary Robert Gates said.</description><pubDate>Mon, 02 Mar 2009 01:36:00 EST</pubDate></item><item><title>Clinton promises team effort on Afghanistan, Pakistan</title><link>http://www.cnn.com/2009/POLITICS/02/26/afghanistan.pakistan/index.html#cnnSTCText</link><guid>http://www.cnn.com/2009/POLITICS/02/26/afghanistan.pakistan/index.html#cnnSTCText</guid><description>Secretary of State Hillary Clinton pledged Thursday to work closely with Afghanistan and Pakistan as a team to root out extremism within their borders.</description><pubDate>Fri, 27 Feb 2009 02:38:00 EST</pubDate></item><item><title>Poll: Most support plan to bolster U.S. troops in Afghanistan</title><link>http://www.cnn.com/2009/POLITICS/02/26/us.troops.poll/index.html#cnnSTCText</link><guid>http://www.cnn.com/2009/POLITICS/02/26/us.troops.poll/index.html#cnnSTCText</guid><description>A new national poll indicates that a majority of Americans support President Barack Obama's plan to send 17,000 more U.S. troops to the war in Afghanistan.</description><pubDate>Thu, 26 Feb 2009 23:01:00 EST</pubDate></item><item><title>U.S. losing war in Afghanistan, McCain says</title><link>http://www.cnn.com/2009/POLITICS/02/25/mccain.afghan.war/index.html#cnnSTCText</link><guid>http://www.cnn.com/2009/POLITICS/02/25/mccain.afghan.war/index.html#cnnSTCText</guid><description>Former GOP presidential nominee John McCain warned Wednesday that the United States is losing the war in Afghanistan.</description><pubDate>Wed, 25 Feb 2009 23:42:00 EST</pubDate></item><item><title>Four British troops killed in Afghanistan</title><link>http://www.cnn.com/2009/WORLD/asiapcf/02/25/afghanistan.deaths/index.html#cnnSTCText</link><guid>http://www.cnn.com/2009/WORLD/asiapcf/02/25/afghanistan.deaths/index.html#cnnSTCText</guid><description>Four British soldiers died Wednesday in Afghanistan, bringing the number of international troops killed since Friday in the war-torn country to 11.</description><pubDate>Wed, 25 Feb 2009 23:31:00 EST</pubDate></item></channel></rss>