In a news conference in Kabul today, top NATO general in Afghanistan General David McKiernan said that while the "progress" is not "as fast as many of us would like, but we are not losing in Afghanistan." The general also pressed for more military forces to fight the...
Pakistani Military Kills 37 Militants in Orakzai as Bombing Toll Rises to 110
Helicopter gunships belonging to the Pakistani military launched an attack on two buildings in Upper Orakzai Agency today, killing at least 37 militants and causing damage to the compounds. The militants were reportedly linked to the Tehreek-e Taliban Pakistan (TTP). ...
Christian Militias Aim to Protect Iraqi Community Beset by Violence
Armed members of Christian militias stand guard in front of churches in the restless Mosul district as attacks have driven thousands of Christians from their homes in recent days. The governor of Nineveh Province has blamed "al-Qaeda elements" for the campaign, and...
US Pressure and Taliban Rapprochement: Can Karzai Satisfy Everyone?
The reports of Afghan President Hamid Karzai's efforts to reach some sort of satisfactory deal with the Taliban simply will not die. The latest claims from the Sunday Telegraph have President Karzai offering the Taliban ministries within his government in return for...
Apparent US Drone Strike in North Waziristan Kills at Least Five
Just days after a US missile strike killed nine along North Waziristan's border with Afghanistan, residents of the area reported another US drone fired two missiles yesterday, killing at least five more. Residents say that tribesmen fired on the invading drones before...
Foreign Ministry: US Strikes In Pakistan “Helping the Terrorists”
One day after a US drone strike in North Waziristan killed at least nine people, Pakistan's Foreign Ministry has issued a harshly worded condemnation of the repeated strikes, warning that they are undermining the war on terror and "helping the terrorists." Spokesman...
44 Killed, Over 100 Wounded as Suicide Blast Hits Anti-Taliban Tribesmen
A suicide bomber in an explosives-laden vehicle plowed into a crowd at a massive tribal jirga in Pakistan's Orakzai Agency, killing at least 44 and injuring over 100 others. The jirga was attended by between 500 and 2,000 tribesmen, and was discussing forming a tribal...
Maliki Meets With Sistani as Immunity Still an Issue in US Deal
Though Iraqi President Jalal Talabani said last night that the United States had made 'good concessions' on the Status of Forces Agreement (SOFA), Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki says that there are still some points of contention yet to be worked out. Primary among...
Talabani ‘Confident’ SOFA Agreement Will Be Reached, Says US Offers ‘Good Concessions’
Iraqi President Jalal Talabani told Iraq's state-run television station al-Iraqia today that the United States has made 'good concessions' regarding the Status of Forces Agreement (SOFA). He also said that he was confident the agreement would be reached, as it is...
Latest US Drone Strike in North Waziristan Kills At Least Nine
A missile strike by a US drone hit a house in Ghundai, a village 20 km east of Miramshah in Pakistan's North Waziristan province today, killing at least nine people. It is the second US air strike in the province in less than a week, as a strike on Friday evening...