Afghan President Karzai approves plan for local defense forces

In a welcome step forward for the Obama administration's beleaguered war strategy, Afghan President Hamid Karzai has approved a U.S.-backed plan to create local defense forces across the country in an attempt to build grass-roots opposition to the Taliban, U.S. and Afghan officials said Wednesday.

"Our progress is decidedly mixed," Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman John F. Kerry (D-Mass.) told Holbrooke at a hearing to discuss the administration's programs to bolster Afghanistan's government and economy. "Many people are asking if we have the right strategy," Kerry said.

Sen. Richard G. Lugar (Ind.), the panel's top Republican, cited "significant concern" that both the civilian and military sides of the strategy are "proceeding without a clear definition of success." .... - Karzai approves local defense plan

Checkpoint Washington: Karzai approves village defense forces