France, Karzai want faster NATO Afghanistan exit

PARIS (AP) – France and Afghanistan agree NATO should speed up by a year its timetable for handing all combat operations to Afghan forces in 2013, President Nicolas Sarkozy said Friday, raising new questions about the unity of the Western military alliance. - France, Karzai want faster NATO Afghanistan exit

Resistant Bacteria - Antibiotics Prove Powerless as Super-Germs Spread

Antibiotics were once the wonder drug. Now, however, an increasing number of highly resistant -- and deadly -- bacteria are spreading around the world. The killer bugs often originate in factory farms, where animals are treated whether they are sick or not. By SPIEGEL Staff more... - Antibiotics Prove Powerless as Super-Germs Spread
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Revenge for EU Sanctions - Iran Set to Turn Off Oil Supply to Europe - Der Spiegel

The European Union embargo on Iranian oil will only come into effect in six months, but the leadership in Tehran wants to act first: Exports to Europe are set to be halted immediately. It is a move which could mean added difficulties for struggling economies in southern Europe. - Iran Set to Turn Off Oil Supply to Europe
Related articles, background features and opinions about this topic.

Barack Obama’s “unbreakable bond” with Israel - Richard Sudan, Independen

Barack Obama has taken pandering to the Israeli lobby to shameful new levels. In a frankly shocking video, even by US standards, in what I can only describe as one the most cynical pieces of electioneering I have witnessed in my lifetime, .... - Barack Obama’s “unbreakable bond” with Israel

Strategic cooperation pact inked with Italy

KABUL (PAN): President Hamid Karzai, during his visit to European countries, signed a strategic partnership agreement with Italy, his office said on Friday. - Strategic cooperation pact inked with Italy
افغانستان او ايټالياد اوږدمهالو ستراتيژيکو اړيکو سند لاسليک کړ
موافقتنامۀ همکاری های دراز مدت ستراتیژیک ميان افغانستان و ايتاليا به امضا رسيد

In Afghanistan, a Rush to Save Buried Treasure

Archaeologists are racing to save Afghanistan's cultural heritage before the Chinese start digging on one of the world's most valuable new copper mines - In Afghanistan, a Rush to Save Buried Treasure - WSJ. MAGAZINE

Hillary Clinton says she is 'ready for a rest'

US secretary of state claims she does not intend to stay in government if Barack Obama wins second term - Hillary Clinton 'ready for a rest' -- Pentagon to shrink US ground troops by 100,000 as part of $487bn cuts

In Standoff, Egypt Blocks Americans From Leaving .

The move came despite a personal appeal by President Barack Obama, who last Friday phoned Egypt's top general to underscore the importance of civil society. - Egypt Blocks American Workers' Exit

Rand Paul Calm During TSA Patdown, Video Shows

Paul had triggered an alarm during routine airport screening on Monday and refused a targeted pat-down. - Rand Paul Calm During TSA Patdown, Video Shows - POLITICO

CIA to pull officer from NYPD after internal probe

The inspector general opened its investigation after a series of AP articles that revealed how the NYPD, working in close collaboration with the CIA, set up spying operations that put Muslim communities under scrutiny. Plainclothes officers known as "rakers" eavesdropped in businesses, and Muslims not suspected of any wrongdoing were put in intelligence databases. - CIA to pull officer from NYPD after internal probe - Politics Wires ...
CIA to pull officer from NYPD after internal probe - WSJ

France Unearths Forgotten Maps Of Afghanistan’s Natural Resource Riches - (Le Figaro)

Before Afghanistan descended into civil war, a French geologist collected massive data on the country’s mining resources. His findings, recently rediscovered, could unlock huge wealth in the troubled nation. But look who’s already busy exploiting it...- France Unearths Forgotten Maps Of Afghanistan’s Natural Resource Riches
Italy Signs Deal for Long-Term Aid to Afghanistan - AP

توافقنامه ستراتیژیک افغانستان و اتحادیه اروپا و ترقی جایگاه افغانستان

موافقتنامه اتحادیه اروپا با افغانستان از این نظر اهمیت دارد که دورنمای این موافقتنامه با توجه به اینکه در یک سوی آن یک اتحادیه قرار دارد و این اتحادیه ممثل منفت و خواسته های سیاسی یک کشور واحد نیست، می تواند برای افغانستان بسیار منفعت بخش باشد.- توافقنامه ستراتیژیک افغانستان و اتحادیه اروپا و ترقی جایگاه افغانستان

Afghan asylum seekers at highest numbers for a decade - Telegraph

Young Afghans are fleeing abroad and requesting political asylum in the highest numbers for a decade as they anxiously eye the withdrawal of foreign troops and seek work, figures show. - Afghan asylum seekers at highest numbers for a decade -Afghanistan
US 'opens talks with Hizb-i-Islami insurgent group' -- Taliban diplomats arrive in Qatar

Heavy snowfall worsens traffic mess in Kabul

KABUL, Jan. 25 (Xinhua) -- The continued snowfall over the past days has worsened the traffic chaos, especially in the Afghan capital of Kabul. - Heavy snowfall worsens traffic mess in Kabul

توافقنامه ستراتیژیک افغانستان و اتحادیه اروپا و ترقی جایگاه افغانستان

امضای توافقنامه استراتیژیک میان افغانستان و اتحادیه اروپا از نظر اهمیت و کارآیی به مراتب مهم تر از امضای موافقتنامه احتمالی استراتیژیک میان ایالات متحده امریکا و افغانستان، هند و افغانستان، فرانسه و افغانستان، انگلستان و افغانستان و سایر اعضای جامعه جهانی با افغانستان می باشد. - توافقنامه ستراتیژیک افغانستان و اتحادیه اروپا و ترقی جایگاه
افشای یک توطیهٔ خطرناک ایران در قبال کشور های عربی

Afghan suicide bomb attack kills 4 civilians; 3 Britons injured - latimes

KABUL, AFGHANISTAN -- A suicide car bomber who took aim at a Western convoy in southern Afghanistan on Thursday killed four Afghan civilians and injured more than 30 other people, including three British nationals who were involved in reconstruction work, Afghan and British officials said. - Afghan suicide bomb attack kills 4 civilians; 3 Britons injured
Pakistani report rejects U.S. claim of self-defense in airstrike

Romney doubles down against the Taliban

Mitt Romney took some heat after saying in South Carolina last week that he would not negotiate with the Taliban in Afghanistan. Romney doubles down against the Taliban
How Iran Controls Afghanistan Fox News

France agrees to two decades of support in Afghanistan, despite attack on its troops

KABUL — One week after four French troops were killed by a rogue Afghan soldier, prompting President Nicolas Sarkozy to suspend military operations in Afghanistan, France will sign a bilateral agreement outlining its commitment here over the next two decades. - Afghan agreement moves ahead
Administration looking into repatriating non-Afghan detainees at ...

مذاکرات یکجانبۀ مقدمه تجزیۀ است

برنارد لوئیس طرح تجزیۀ کشور هایی چون سودان ، عراق ، سوریه ، لبنان ، مصر ، ترکیه ، ایران ، افغانستان ، پاکستان و عربستان سعودی را ترسیم نموده ، با راهکار های عملی آن در دست مدیران سیاسی صهیونیزم بین المللی و امپریالیسم امریکایی داد تا در گذار زمان به طرح های مذکور جامۀ عمل بپوشانند - مذاکرات یکجانبۀ مقدمه تجزیۀ است !
The Bernard Lewis Plan - Rozaneh -- Bernard Lewis - Wikipedia

Berlin tries to solve Afghan conflict through talks

Germany has intensified its mediation efforts in the Afghan conflict with special talks reportedly underway in Berlin. - Berlin tries to solve Afghan conflict through talks Deutsche ... - Germany begins cutting troops in Afghanistan
How German Diplomats Opened Channel to Taliban - Der Spiegel

War leaves some 800,000 people disabled in Afghanistan - BBC

Decades of war have left some 800,000 people disabled in Afghanistan. - VIDEO: Helping the disabled in Afghanistan
UK 'is on track' in Afghanistan

سخنرانی سالانهٔ بارک اوباما

واشنگتن:- بارک اوباما در نطق سالانه خود خطاب به کانگریس اين كشور(State of Union) به مواردي از جمله سياست خارجي و بحران اقتصادي امريكا اشاره كرد.- سخنرانی سالانهٔ بارک اوباما
طلسم قدرت طالبان شکسته است: بارک اوباما -- آخرین سخنرانی سالانه بارک اوباما در نخستین دورهٔ ریاست جمهوری
Transcript of the State of the Union

U.S. envoy in Kabul denies partition rumours

A senior American diplomat has issued an unusually blunt denial of rumours of a U.S. plan to break up Afghanistan as part of a peace deal with the Taliban. - U.S. envoy in Kabul denies partition rumours - The Globe and Mail
Rep. Dana Rohrabacher: White House Wrong on the Taliban
O.C. lawmakers want Afghan government overhaul

اوباما: حل مسالمت آمیز مناقشه اتمی ایران امکان پذیر است

باراک اوباما، رئیس جمهوری آمریکا در سومین سخنرانی سالانه خود در برابر کنگره این کشور درباره ضرورت برقراری عدالت اقتصادی و فراهم کردن شرایط مساوی صحبت کرد.- اوباما: حل مسالمت آمیز مناقشه اتمی ایران امکان پذیر است
Obama calls for economic fairness - BBC

Republicans blast Obama for 'efforts to divide us'

The official GOP response to the State of the Union speech also calls the president's policies 'pro-poverty.' - Republicans blast Obama for 'efforts to divide us' -- Read the GOP response to President Obama's State of the Union remarks
President Obama says all must pay 'fair share' of taxes - latimes

Giffords gets ovation, president's embrace on eve of resignation

(CNN) -- Giffords, 41, was shot in the head on January 8, 2011, during a shooting rampage that killed six people during an event where she was meeting constituents in Tucson. - Giffords gets ovation, president's embrace on eve of resignation -- Obama lays down marker in State of Union -- Read the president's speech
GOP: Obama is dividing Americans

راین کراکر: مذاکرات مخفی واشنگتن با طالبان

سفیر امریکا در افغانستان راین کراکر گزارش های منتشر شده بعضی رسانه ها را رد کرد که گویا امریکا، بدون توجه به مردم و حکومت افغانستان، با طالبان معامله می کند.- راین کراکر: مذاکرات مخفی واشنگتن با طالبان
رهبری عملیهء صلح را در افغانستان باید خود افغان ها به عهده داشته باشند
وزیر خارجه پاکستان برای ملاقات با رهبران افغان به افغانستان میاید

Transcript of the State of the Union - The President's speech - CS Monitor

From this position of strength, we’ve begun to wind down the war in Afghanistan. Ten thousand of our troops have come home. Twenty-three thousand more will leave by the end of this summer. This transition to Afghan lead will continue, and we will build an enduring partnership with Afghanistan, so that it is never again a source of attacks against America. - Transcript of the State of the Union
State of the Union transcript 2011: Full text of the president's speech

Text: President Obama’s State of the Union Address - nytimes

Following is the transcript of President Obama’s State of the Union address on Jan. 24, 2012, as released by the White House: Text: Obama’s Address -- Republican Response
Obama Sets Goal of Bridging Wealth Gap
Putting Middle Class Interests at the Top of His Agenda

Rep. Dana Rohrabacher: White House Wrong on the Taliban - US News & World Report

The Obama administration's plan for building peace in Afghanistan involves reconciliation talks between the Afghan government and the Taliban. But Rep. Dana Rohrabacher, chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on Oversight, says a political resolution with the radical Islamist group, which ruled Afghanistan when U.S.-led forces invaded in 2001, would be a "betrayal." - Rep. Dana Rohrabacher: White House Wrong on the Taliban -- O.C. lawmakers want Afghan government overhaul
حامد کرزی: افغانستان آزمايشگاه و لابراتوار سياسى بيگانه گان نيست

Afghans hit by food price hikes as Pakistan shutdown bites

(Reuters) - With snow piled deep in front of his small Kabul shop and a border shutdown enforced by Pakistan driving up food prices and severing a vital lifeline into Afghanistan, Asmatullah is having his own winter of discontent. - Afghans hit by food price hikes as Pakistan shutdown bites Reuters
Depression’s Criteria Might Include Grieving - nytimes

Afghan withdrawal prompts rights worries - SMH

"The looming date of 2014 for withdrawal of most international troops ... begs the question of exactly what kind of Afghanistan the troops will be leaving behind," the organisation says in a report released on Sunday. Afghan withdrawal prompts rights worries
Afghanistan: Little Progress on Rights - World Report 2012: Afghanistan - HRW

U.S. diplomat: Taliban needs to renounce terror for Qatar office - CNN

Crocker also denied rumors that the United States has a plan to divide the country and change "its form of government." - U.S. diplomat: Taliban needs to renounce terror for Qatar office
US Envoy: Taliban Must Renounce Terrorism to Participate in ...turkishweekly

Afghanistan: Coffins for U.S. & Nato; Huge Contracts for China - huffingtonpost

Another paradox: it was American engineers who, in the summer of 2010, completed a survey concluding that Afghanistan sits atop one trillion dollars of untapped copper, iron and lithium deposits. - Afghanistan: Coffins for U.S. & Nato; Huge Contracts for China
Afghanistan : Pictures, Videos, Breaking News

US has no plan to divide Afghanistan: Crocker

KABUL (PAN): The US ambassador in Kabul, supporting the government-led peace process, said on Tuesday his country had no secret plan either to divide Afghanistan or change the present system of government. - US has no plan to divide Afghanistan: Crocker
US Has No Plan to Experiment New Political System in Afghanistan

Romney's Tax Returns Show $21.6 Million Income in '10 - nytimes

Mitt Romney’s campaign released hundreds of pages of tax documents on Tuesday morning, providing an inside glimpse into his sprawling investments, both in the United States and abroad, .... - Romney’s Tax Returns Show $21.6 Million Income in ’10
Examining the Romney Tax Returns

Impoverished Afghan woman gives birth to sextuplets

(Reuters) - An impoverished young Afghan woman has given birth to sextuplets -- three boys and three girls -- producing the same number of children her countrywomen typically average over a lifetime. - Impoverished Afghan woman gives birth to sextuplets Reuters

Hillary Clinton 'Rejected' Obama's 2011 State Department Budget: The New Yorker

Secretary of State Hillary Clinton "rejected" President Obama's proposed 2011 budget for her department, according to a memo obtained by the New Yorker's Ryan Lizza, and described in the magazine Monday. -- Hillary Clinton 'Rejected' Obama's 2011 State Department Budget: The New Yorker
Afghanistan : Pictures, Videos, Breaking News - huffingtonpost

Coffee helps prevent diabetes, now scientists learn why - latimes

Scientists have long known that coffee drinkers have a lower risk of developing type 2 diabetes, but researchers out of China may have figured out why.- Coffee helps prevent diabetes, now scientists learn why
Lowest airfares found six weeks before flight, study says

EU imposes Iran oil embargo -- latimes

The European Union's oil boycott is part of a U.S.-led campaign of sanctions to pressure Iran to return to talks over its nuclear enrichment program. - EU imposes Iran oil embargo
U.S. report: Afghan officer who killed Americans was anti-U.S.

New services center aims to help 'anybody who has a need'

In a troubled economy, south Orange County has a new resource for people who are struggling to find work, pay bills, stay in their home or, if it comes to it, must live on the street. - New services center to help 'anybody who has a need' - OCRegister

Embryonic stem cells appear to restore some vision to legally blind patient

For the first time, an experimental treatment made from human embryonic stem cells has shown evidence of helping someone, partially restoring sight to two people suffering from slowly progressing forms of blindness. - Embryonic stem cells appear to restore some vision to legally blind patient
Winter is prime for heart problems - washingtonpost

Afghan asylum seekers at highest numbers for a decade - Telegraph

Young Afghans are fleeing abroad and requesting political asylum in the highest numbers for a decade as they anxiously eye the withdrawal of foreign troops and seek work, figures show. - Afghan asylum seekers at highest numbers for a decade
Afghan soldier 'killed French troops over US abuse video' - Afghanistan

US 'opens talks with Hizb-i-Islami insurgent group'

Ghairat Baheer, a negotiator for the Afghan warlord Gulbuddin Hekmatyar, has told The Daily Telegraph he met General David Petraeus, then the head of Nato forces in Afghanistan and now the head of the CIA, in Kabul last year. - US 'opens talks with Hizb-i-Islami insurgent group'
Karzai holds talks with insurgents - Telegraph

APNewsBreak: Afghan asylum bids hit 10-year high

KABUL, Afghanistan (AP) — More Afghans fled the country and sought asylum abroad in 2011 than in any other year since the start of the decade-long war, suggesting that many are looking for their own exit strategy as international troops prepare to withdraw. - APNewsBreak: Afghan asylum bids hit 10-year high -- More Afghans seek asylum

Heavy snowfall adds to suffering of displaced Afghans

Living in a makeshift tent along with 10 offspring, the dejected lady murmured that "dying is better than living in such atmosphere" while pointing out at a group of poor children playing on a snow-covered ground. - Heavy snowfall adds to suffering of displaced Afghans - Xinhua ...

Ancient Jewish scrolls found in north Afghanistan

KABUL — A cache of ancient Jewish scrolls from northern Afghanistan that has only recently come to light is creating a storm among scholars who say the landmark find could reveal an undiscovered side of medieval Jewry. - Ancient Jewish scrolls found in north Afghanistan

Santorum: I don't need to correct claim Obama is Muslim - CBS News

The woman told Santorum, "He is an avowed Muslim and my question is, why isn't something being done to get him out of our government?" Santorum responded: "Believe me ... I'm doing everything I can to get him out of the government." - Santorum: I don't need to correct claim Obama is Muslim -- Santorum ignores charge Obama is a Muslim CNN
Rand Paul in TSA showdown after refusing pat down

Lifelong brain-stimulating habits linked to lower Alzheimer’s protein levels

BERKELEY — A new study led by researchers at the University of California, Berkeley, provides even more reason for people to read a book or do a puzzle, and to make such activities a lifetime habit. - Lifelong brain-stimulating habits linked to lower Alzheimer’s protein levels

Active Minds Dodge Alzheimer's Plaques

Keeping the brain in gear throughout life with reading, games, and other mental activities cuts down on beta-amyloid plaques thought to cause Alzheimer's disease, researchers found. - Active Minds Dodge Alzheimer's Plaques -- Dementia Patients More Likely to Be Hospitalized -- Fat Hormone Level Linked to Risk of Dementia

Justices rule against police, say GPS surveillance requires search warrant

Washington (CNN) -- Police erred by not obtaining an extended search warrant before attaching a tracking device to a drug suspect's car, the Supreme Court said in a unanimous ruling Monday. - Justices rule for drug suspect over GPS tracking device
High Court Backs Privacy Rights in GPS Case - WSJ

Karzai Honors Slain Officials in Speech - nytimes

In reference to the long history of intervention by foreign powers in the country, from Britain to the Soviet Union and the United States-led coalition, he said, “Afghanistan is not a place for foreigners to do their political experiments or a laboratory where every few years they test a new political system.” - Karzai Honors Slain Officials in Speech
Hamid Karzai News - The New York Times

مسودهء سند همکاری دراز مدت اتحادیه اروپا با افغانستان ترتیب شد

آقای اوشاتسکس گفت، مسوده سند همکاری های دراز مدت میان اتحادیه اروپا و افغانستان که به گفته وی برمبنای ارزش های مشترک و تعهد دوجانبه استوار است، تقریباً تکمیل شده است.- «مسودهء سند همکاری دراز مدت اتحادیه اروپا با افغانستان ترتیب شد»
افغانستان میزبان هیات رسمی دولت قطر در کابل خواهد بود

Afghanistan: Little Progress on Rights -- Conditions Dire, Especially for Women

(New York) – The dire human rights situation in Afghanistan showed few signs of progress in the past year, raising serious concerns about the future, Human Right Watch said today in its World Report 2012. - Afghanistan: Little Progress on Rights -- World Report 2012: Afghanistan

طرح تغییر نظام سیاسی پناه بردن به هیچ

حامد کرزی، رئیس جمهور نسبت به طرح تغییر نظام سیاسی این کشور عکس العمل تند نشان داده و گفته است که این کشور آزمایشگاه نظام های سیاسی نیست. - طرح تغییر نظام سیاسی پناه بردن به هیچ
دومین ملاقات گروسمن در 24 ساعت گذشته با حامد کرزی
گروسمن خواهان گشایش هرچه زودتر دفتر طالبان در قطر است

Former Taliban officials find new role

With Zaeef inside, the car sped off for President Hamid Karzai’s palace, where the once-fugitive Zaeef has lately become a frequent guest. - Former Taliban officials find new role - washingtonpost
Taliban Talks a Long Way Off, U.S. Envoy Says - nytimes

Lawyer: Mubarak is still Egypt's president

Cairo (CNN) -- Hosni Mubarak should be tried by a special tribunal because he is still president of Egypt and did not sign an official resignation, his lawyer said Sunday. - Lawyer: Mubarak is still Egypt's president Revolution isn't over
Afghan government hints at Taliban talks Progress in talks

Jewish paper's column catches Secret Service's eye

Atlanta, Georgia (CNN) -- The U.S. Secret Service is looking into a controversial column by an Atlanta Jewish newspaper publisher that mulled the assassination of an American president. - Secret Service eyes threat in Jewish paper
Jon Stewart defends controversial book about Obamas

Alzheimer's: 5 Greatest Risk Factors - doctoroz

Learn the 5 most important risk factors for Alzheimer's and how you can guard against this damaging disease. -- Alzheimer's: 5 Risk Factors -- Fighting Alzheimer’s With Functional Medicine -- Foods and Spices to Bolster Brain Health -- Exercise Your Mind -- Alzheimer’s Smell Test

U.S. envoy tells Taliban terms for peace talks

KABUL, Afghanistan — The Taliban must promise to disassociate from international terrorism and affirm their desire to participate in a peace process for tentative talks on a political settlement to the fghan war to continue, a senior U.S. official said on Sunday.- U.S. envoy tells Taliban terms for peace talks - McClatchy

Afghan soldier who killed French troops was our recruit, Taliban say

Taliban claim gunman who shot dead four French soldiers was an infiltrator working for them - Afghan soldier who killed French troops was our recruit, Taliban say
Hillary Clinton: no indication France will pull out of Afghanistan - video

Why Obama's 'targeted killing' is worse than Bush's torture - Guardian

A similar story is emerging with respect to targeted killing. The Obama administration has produced its own infamous memo; like many of the torture memos, it was written by lawyers in the Department of Justice's Office of Legal Counsel. It concerns something that many consider worse than torture: the memo apparently seeks to justify "targeted killing". - Why Obama's 'targeted killing' is worse than Bush's torture
Obama's only way out of Afghanistan is to talk - Afghanistan

بحران اقتصادی در غرب بالای آیندهء اردوی افغانستان نیز تاثیر دارد

افزایش بحران اقتصادی در اروپا و امریکا بر آینده اردوی ملی افغانستان هم بی تاثیر نیست.- بحران اقتصادی در غرب بالای آیندهء اردوی افغانستان نیز تاثیر دارد -- « بیش از یک ملیون نفر در افغانستان با خطر ماین روبرو اند»
خطر اخوان المسلمین کمتر از خطر ایران نیست: قوماندان پولیس دوبی
حامد کرزی: افغانستان آزمايشگاه و لابراتوار سياسى بيگانه گان نيست

At South Carolina GOP debate, four survivors spar; Gingrich adds host to the fray

NORTH CHARLESTON, S.C. — In an electric debate here Thursday night, the four remaining Republican presidential candidates clashed sharply over who has the temperament, character and know-how to lead the party into a general election as they clamored to take advantage of the race’s changing dynamic. - At South Carolina GOP debate, four survivors spar; Gingrich adds host to the fray
Romney hobbles through debate ahead of South Carolina primary

Karzai Aide Says U.S. Isn’t Providing Enough Details About Taliban Talks

KABUL, Afghanistan — President Hamid Karzai’s chief of staff expressed concern on Thursday about the American role in starting talks with the Taliban, complaining that Afghan officials were not being kept well informed and worrying about the possibility that the Taliban might make “a secret deal” with the United States. - Afghan Aide to Karzai Complains About U.S.-Taliban Talks
Pakistan’s Prime Minister Makes Plea to Avoid Jail Time - nytimes

Russian Says Western Support for Arab Revolts Could Cause a ‘Big War’

Mr. Lavrov said Russia would use its position on the United Nations Security Council to veto any United Nations authorization of military strikes against the government of President Bashar al-Assad of Syria. - Russian Says Western Support for Arab Revolts Could Cause a ‘Big War’
Putin Welcomes Kissinger: ‘Old Friends’ to Talk Shop - nytimes

US sees new interest from Taliban in peace talks

The latest Afghan National Intelligence Estimate warns that the Taliban will grow stronger, using the talks to gain credibility and run out the clock until U.S. troops depart Afghanistan, while continuing to fight for more territory, say U.S. officials who have read the classified document. - US sees new interest from Taliban in peace talks - Fox News
US sees opening for peace talks among Taliban, US and Karzai; military, CIA are cautious

Foriegn Policy: It's Time To Talk To The Taliban. - John Podesta and Stephen Hadley

Over the past two years, the United States has made enormous strides in Afghanistan. The U.S. military has undertaken a devastating campaign against al-Qaida and its affiliates, as well as members of the Taliban in both Afghanistan and Pakistan. - Foriegn Policy: It's Time To Talk To The Taliban.
Taliban's New Political Office Is A 'Game-Changer'

Bombings, fighting, bloody Afghanistan

KABUL, Afghanistan, Jan. 18 (UPI) -- Bloodshed was reported across Afghanistan Wednesday, with Afghan and NATO forces battling insurgents, officials said. - Bombings, fighting, bloody Afghanistan -- Afghanistan's poor face difficult decisions amid winter cold latimes
Pakistan’s Prime Minister Makes Plea to Avoid Jail Time
Boom time for Afghanistan's people smugglers

قوماندانان طالبان از گفتگوهای صلح با امریکا حمایت می کنند

به نوشتهء والستریت ژورنال، مقامات امریکایی و متحدان ایشان می گویند با توجه به طبعیت غیر متمرکز شورش ها در افغانستان، مهم است دیده شود که رهبری طالبان در چی حد توان انجام توافق صلح را در آینده خواهد داشت.- قوماندانان طالبان از گفتگوهای صلح با امریکا حمایت می کنند -- Taliban Commanders Endorse US Talks
گراسمن پیرامون مذاکرات قطر با مقامات افغان و منطقه بحث و گفتگو خواهد کرد
عربستان سعودی تلاش دارد تا تنش ها بین اردو و حکومت ملکی پاکستان را حل کند

Power struggle over Afghanistan - Kai Eide

Former UN envoy says if negative trends are not reversed through better coordination, Afghanistan faces civil war. - Power struggle over Afghanistan - Kai Eide -- بروز جنگ های داخلی در افغانستان
Obama's mission accomplished moment? - Tom Engelhardt

Grossman heads to India after being rejected by Pakistan - Foreign Policy

Grossman is in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) today as part of a multi-nation tour that is aimed at gaining broad buy-in for the administration's plan to start a reconciliation process with the Taliban - Grossman heads to India after being rejected by Pakistan -- Pakistan refuses Amb. Grossman visit - Jennifer Rowland
Enough Already - By Stephen Hadley and John Podesta Foreign ...