Thursday, January 31, 2013

As NATO Prepares for Afghan Withdrawal, Uzbekistan Seeks War’s Leftovers - nytimes

MOSCOW — With planning for the Western military withdrawal from Afghanistan in full swing, officials in Uzbekistan want to make a deal: we will provide the roads out if you leave some of those extra vehicles and supplies behind for us. - As NATO Prepares for Afghan Withdrawal, Uzbekistan Seeks War's ...

Iran Said to Be Set to Hasten Uranium Enrichment

Tehran has told the United Nations nuclear watchdog of plans to install new equipment at the Natanz plant, a diplomat said. - Iran Said to Be Set to Hasten Uranium Enrichment - nytimes
Clinton Reviews Tenure, Focusing on Syria and Iran

BlackBerry Back From Dead With New Z10: Rich Jaroslovsky

BlackBerry (RIM) has done a lot right with the Z10, the first smartphone to run its new, bet-the-company operating system. - BlackBerry Back From Dead With New Z10: Rich Jaroslovsky

Hagel Endures Republican Criticism as Levin Sees Approval - Bloomberg

While Republicans dominated the day, Democrats control 55 of the 100 seats in the Senate. Senator Carl Levin, who heads the committee, said all of them are likely to end up supporting Obama’s nomination of Hagel to succeed the retiring Defense Secretary Leon Panetta - Hagel Endures Republican Criticism as Levin Sees ...

ADB grants $300m for Afghan infrastructural projects

Asian Development Bank (ADB) officials on Thursday announced to grant $300 million for electricity, transportation and agriculture sector of Afghanistan. - ADB grants $300m for Afghan infrastructural projects - Khaama Press

Secretary Clinton Remarks on American Leadership

In her farewell address, Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton discusses American leadership. - Secretary Clinton Remarks on American Leadership - Council on Foreign Relations
Remarks on American Leadership at the Council on Foreign Relations

Kabul Protests U.S. Drug-Running Allegations - WSJ

KABUL—The U.S. military's blacklisting of Afghanistan's largest private airline on allegations that it is trafficking opiates has sparked a diplomatic crisis with Kabul, with the Afghan government defending the airline, demanding to see proof of any wrongdoing and raising a rare threat of legal action. - Kabul Protests US Drug-Running Allegations

Travel Warning, U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE - travel.state.gov

January 29, 2013 - The Department of State warns U.S. citizens against travel to Afghanistan. The security threat to all U.S. citizens in Afghanistan remains critical. This Travel Warning supersedes the Travel Warning for Afghanistan issued on June 27, 2012, and reminds U.S. citizens of ongoing security risks, including kidnapping and insurgent attacks. - Afghanistan - Bureau of Consular Affairs - US Department of State

Hagel defends record, spars with critics in Senate hearing - latimes

On Afghanistan, he said U.S. forces' role should be limited to counter-terrorism and the training of Afghan forces. - Hagel defends record, spars with critics in Senate hearing
Chuck Hagel, an antiwar secretary of Defense

Text of Chuck Hagel’s Opening Remarks - nytimes

The following is Chuck Hagel’s opening remarks to the Senate Armed Services Committee, as prepared for delivery. - Text of Chuck Hagel’s Opening Remarks
Live Video of the Hagel Nomination Hearing
Sharp Exchanges Expected in Hearing on Hagel Nomination
Hagel's Views Come Under Harsh Scrutiny by Republicans

Wednesday, January 30, 2013

Afghanistan’s First Youth Orchestra to Travel to the U.S. - TIME

The music school educates 150 young musicians, half of whom are orphans and live on the streets, according to the New York Times. Similar to the world-renowned Simon Bolivar Youth Orchestra, whose musicians come from the slums of Caracas, Venezuela, Sarmsat has created a musical outlet for children and young people whose lives have been plagued by violence and destruction. - Afghanistan’s First Youth Orchestra to Travel to the U.S.
Afghan Youth Orchestra Plans to Visit the US - New York Times

Jobs Deficit: Austerity Politics Threaten Obama's Economy - huffingtonpost

WASHINGTON -- Lawmakers were stunned Wednesday to learn that the U.S. economy officially dove toward a double-dip recession at the end of 2012, contracting for the first time in three and a half years amid steep declines in government spending and sluggish exports.- Austerity Politics Puts U.S. On 'Precipice Of Recession'

Guns, Guys, and Gelding -- How to Stop Men and Boys Shooting People in America - huffingtonpost

Registration of weapons (if a car, why not a gun?), universal background checks, raising the age for gun possession to match that of car possession, improvement of mental health care -- all these proposals seem like common sense to me, the least we should do. But for violence to diminish significantly, human nature must change significantly. - Guns, Guys, and Gelding -- How to Stop Men and Boys Shooting ...

The Flight of Syria's Middle Classes - Der Spiegel

They once were affluent, took vacations to Greece, purchased art and designer furniture. Now this Syrian family is on the run and forced to rely on charity. Their fate is typical of the exodus of the country's large middle class. - The Flight of Syria's Middle Classes
Islamist vs. Secularists - Spiegel Online

Amid Afghanistan war, U.S. aid is there for an injured child - latimes

Thousands of Afghan civilians are killed or maimed each year in warfare, and most are doomed to rudimentary medical care in this impoverished country. - Amid Afghanistan war, U.S. aid is there for an injured child
Afghanistan's new generation: Modern, ambitious ... naive?

Giffords testifies at heated Senate hearing on gun control - latimes

WASHINGTON — "Speaking is difficult, but I need to say something important," former Rep. Gabrielle Giffords told her onetime colleagues. "Violence is a big problem. Too many children are dying. Too many children. We must do something. - Giffords testifies at heated Senate hearing on gun control

Text of John Kerry's farewell speech

Below is the full text of John Kerry’s farewell address to the Senate, as delivered. - Text of John Kerry's farewell speech -  The Boston Globe

Return of a King: The Battle for Afghanistan by William Dalrymple – review

In the late summer of 1842, two British armies marched through Afghanistan to avenge the destruction of a force sent three years earlier to effect a regime change in the central Asian kingdom. That mission – one of the largest military expeditions mounted by British troops and their local reinforcements in decades — had gone disastrously wrong. - Return of a King: The Battle for Afghanistan by William Dalrymple ... - Afghanistan

تهدید پاکستان و ظرفیت‌های دفاعی افغانستان چالش‌های دفاع مستقلانه

افغانستانی بی‌ثبات و ازهم‌پاشیده برای کشورهای همسایه یک تهدید امنیتی است و می‌تواند مایه بی‌ثباتی کشور‌ها شود. کشورهای منطقه با همدیگر همکاری‌های جدی امنیتی و استخباراتی ندارند و تضاد منافع آنان روشن است، به همین دلیل هر کشور منطقه می‌تواند بخشی از افغانستانِ ازهم‌پاشیده را علیه یک کشور دیگر استفاده کند. در حال حاضر نیز، کشورهای منطقه در میدان افغانستان با همدیگر مصروف رقابت‌اند. افغانستان به‌دلیل ضعف اقتصادی، نمی‌تواند مسابقه تسلیحاتی را با همسایه‌هایش راه‌اندازی کند. دو کشور بزرگ همسایه که منبع تهدید امنیت ملی ما تلقی می‌شوند، ساختارهای بزرگ دفاعی دارند و پول زیادی را در این عرصه هزینه می‌کنند.- تهدید پاکستان و ظرفیت‌های دفاعی افغانستان چالش‌های دفاع مستقلانه ...
تحلیلگران: افغانستان فریب پاکستان را نخورد
مک کرستل: افغانها نسبت به طالبان، از جنگ داخلی هراسان ان

Sarai Sierra: Turkish Police Release Surveillance Video of Missing American - ABCNews

The New York City mother, who has two young boys, traveled to Turkeyalone on Jan. 7 after a friend had to cancel. Sierra, who is an avid photographer, planned to document her dream vacation with her camera. - Sarai Sierra: Turkish Police Release Surveillance Video of Missing American
Sarai Sierra, New York Woman Missing in Turkey ... 

Not all Republicans are Islamophobes but all Islamophobes are Republicans - washingtonpost

The straw man of the famous post-Sept. 11 slogan, “Not every Muslim is a terrorist but every terrorist is a Muslim” was debunked by a 2005 FBI report. - Not all Republicans are Islamophobes but all
Growing anti-Islam rhetoric in the Republican Party - American
Most Republicans think west and Islam are in fundamental conflict
GOP takes harsher stance toward Islam - Ben Smith and ... - Politico

Tuesday, January 29, 2013

Op-Ed - A Second G.O.P. - DAVID BROOKS

While losing the popular vote in five of the last six presidential elections, the flaws of this mentality have become apparent. First, if opposing government is your primary objective, it’s hard to have a positive governing program.  - A Second G.O.P.
The GOP's Anti-Muslim Wing Is in Retreat Mother Jones
Keeping Blood Pressure in Check - NYTimes

Obama to urge Congress to act quickly on immigration reform - Thehill

President Obama on Tuesday urged Congress to seize political momentum and act quickly on a comprehensive overhaul of the nation’s immigration laws that would include a pathway to citizenship for the nation’s estimated 11 million illegal immigrants. - Obama to urge Congress to act quickly on immigration reform
Senate confirms Kerry for State on 94-3 vote

آقای رییس‌جمهور! واضح گپ بزنید - روزنامه هشت صبح

رییس‌جمهور کرزی دیروز گفت، تلاش‌هایی که برای مذاکره با طالبان و ختم جنگ صورت می‌گیرد، باید با حکومت و شورای عالی صلح هماهنگ باشد. آقای کرزی گفت، هیچ سیاست‌مدار داخلی و هیچ کشور خارجی، نباید بدون هماهنگی با حکومت و شورای عالی، با طالبان مذاکره کنند. آقای کرزی هم‌چنین گفت، او می‌داند که برخی از خارجی‌ها شماری از سیاست‌مداران را تشویق می‌کنند تا به‌شکل انفرادی با طالبان مذاکره کنند. - آقای رییس‌جمهور! واضح گپ بزنید
حامد کرزی: توطیه‌ای زیر نام صلح جریان دارد

Deal in the making: Pakistan Army likely to begin training Afghan forces - Express Tribune

Islamabad and Kabul are close to signing a deal that will allow the Pakistan Army to train Afghan national security forces, in the latest sign of improving ties between the neighbouring nations. - Deal in the making: Pakistan Army likely to begin training Afghan ...

Iran is a major threat for Afghanistan security: ex-spy chief - Khaama

In an exclusive article to BBC Pashtu, former Afghan spy chief Amrullah Saleh said that Iran is following multiple policies in Afghanistan. - Iran is a major threat for Afghanistan security: ex-spy chief
د امر الله صالح لیکنه:د افغانستان د ملي امنیت ننګونې او ایران 

Unemployment to break all-time record in 2013

The number of unemployed workers worldwide has boomed by 28 million people in the five years since the global financial crisis began, leaving 197 million people without jobs last year, according to a new report. Unemployment to break all-time record in 2013 - latimes

Obama on immigration reform: 'Now's the time'

LAS VEGAS -- President Obama on Tuesday outlined his vision for reforming the nation’s immigration policy, calling for a clear path to citizenship for illegal residents who pay their taxes, learn English and abide by the law. - Obama on immigration reform: 'Now's the time'
Senators unveil bipartisan immigration plan, but opposition looms

Senate approves Kerry as secretary of state

(Reuters) - John Kerry's nomination as President Barack Obama's new secretary of state sailed through the U.S. Senate on Tuesday, as his fellow senators voted overwhelmingly to confirm him to replace Hillary Clinton as the country's top diplomat.Senate approves - Senate approves Kerry as secretary of state
Obama pushes Congress on immigration, split emerges

Egypt Defense Chief Warns of State's Collapse

CAIRO—After five days of street violence and months of political paralysis, Egypt's defense minister fired off what was widely seen as a warning to sparring political factions and street rioters that the country's military might intervene again as it did in the early days of the revolution to restore order. - Egypt Defense Chief Warns of State's Collapse - WSJ

'The Insurgents': Petraeus And A New Kind Of War

Central to the story are ideas of counterinsurgency. Kaplan says that while counterinsurgency is not a new kind of warfare, it's a kind of war that Americans do not like to fight. - 'The Insurgents': Petraeus And A New Kind Of War - NPR

پاکستان د افغان پوځ د روزنې غوښتونکی دی

د پاکستاني پوځ مشر جنرال اشفاق کياني له افغان دفاعي پلاوي د پاکستاني پوځ له لوري د افغان ملي اردو د روزنې غوښتنه کړې، خو افغانستان تر اوسه مثبت ځواب نه دی ورکړی.  - پاکستان د افغان پوځ د روزنې غوښتونکی دی
سفر وزیر دفاع افغانستان به اسلام آباد دو همسایه به دنبال چیست

Op-Ed Contributors - An Afghanistan Write-Off Isn't an Option - nytimes

This will not be easy. Disillusionment about Afghanistan in Washington and other capitals is growing. The vast military and civilian enterprise — the United States alone has spent $83 billion in assistance since 2001 — has been shaped more by Western security imperatives than by an understanding of the country’s complex social fabric, political economy, or, for that matter, its peoples’ priorities. - An Afghanistan Write-Off Isn't an Option
School Support Grows Even Under Specter of a Taliban Return

Afghan president warns against peace talks with Taliban without the government

He said some Afghan powerbrokers and prominent political figures had been approached by foreign powers to hold talks through side channels, rather than working through the High Peace Council set up by the Afghan government. - Afghan president warns against peace talks with Taliban without the ... washingtonpost
دفتر قطر بدون اعلام آمادگی طالبان باز نمی‌شود

Syrian refugees top 700,000 as exodus swells: U.N

(Reuters) - More than 700,000 Syrian refugees have registered in neighboring countries or await processing there, and aid workers are struggling to keep up with the exodus, the United Nations said on Tuesday. - Syrian refugees top 700,000 as exodus swells: U.N

کرزی د سولې انفرادي خبرې 'بهرنۍ دسیسه' بولي

د افغانستان ولسمشر حامد کرزي خبرداری ورکړ، چې د سولې له عالي شورا پرته به د سولې هر ډول خبرې اترې ناوړه پایلې ولري. کرزي په افغانستان کې پر ټولو سیاست والو او وسله والو طالبانو غږ وکړ، چې د سولې انفرادي خبرې د بهرنیانو دسیسه ده. - کرزی د سولې انفرادي خبرې 'بهرنۍ دسیسه' بولي
حامدکرزی: بیگانگان با دسیسه‌چینی در تلاش به دست‌ گرفتن برنامه صلح‌ افغانستان هستند
نشست انتخاباتی سران جبهه ملی افغانستان با والی بلخ

Afghanistan's security prospects after Nato withdrawal - BBC

Nato-led forces have been in Afghanistan for so long now that it is almost hard to remember why they went in. - Afghanistan's security prospects after Nato withdrawal

Chaos and Lawlessness Grow After Days of Unrest in Egypt - nytimes

PORT SAID, Egypt — The police fired indiscriminately into the streets outside their besieged station, a group of protesters arrived with a crate of gasoline bombs, and others cheered a masked man on a motorcycle who arrived with a Kalashnikov. - Chaos and Lawlessness Grow After Days of Unrest in Egypt

Monday, January 28, 2013

Obama and Clinton: The 60 Minutes interview

President Barack Obama and Secretary of State Hillary Clinton address their evolution from bitter opponents to partners in the corridors of power. Steve Kroft reports. - Obama and Clinton: The 60 Minutes
Obama and Clinton, part one  --- Obama and Clinton, part two
Secretary Clinton's legacy -- More »

A turbulent past as well as a chaotic present describes the country of Afghanistan perfectly.

Humans have been living in and around Afghanistan's region for at least 50,000 years, and it is suggested that the area was home to some of the earliest farming communities in the world.

It was invaded and conquered (over the centuries) by the Persians, Greeks, Arabs, Mongols, Tartars and British, and today it's deeply involved in America's on-going worldwide war on terrorism. - Map of Afghanistan - Asian Maps, Asia Maps ... - World Atlas
History of Afghanistan -- European influence in Afghanistan
Mohammed Nadir Shah   -- Mohammed Zahir Shah

وضعیت بی جا شده گان در یکی از کمپ ها

سازمان عفو بین المللی می گوید: «هفده افغان در کمپ های عودت کننده ها و دیگر نقاط شهرهای کابل و هرات، به دلیل هوای سرد هلاک شده اند.» اعلامیه می افزاید که خانواده های این قربانیان و فعالان اجتماعی بالای حکومت افغانستان و سازمان های خیریه انتقاد می کنند که نتوانسته اند با این افراد نیازمند کمک کنند. سباوون گزارشگر رادیو آزادی به یکی از این کمپ رفته و در مورد دشواری ها و وضعیت زنده گی بی جا شده گان داخلی این گزارش تصویری را تهیه کرده است. - وضعیت بی جا شده گان در یکی از کمپ ها

Afghan forces handle civilian casualties poorly, report claims - washingtonpost

KABUL — A report released Monday  accuses Afghanistan’s army and police of failing to address civilian casualties as the country’s newly built forces assume responsibility for the security during NATO’s military withdrawal. - Afghan forces handle civilian casualties poorly, report claims

International terrorism: Afrighanistan? | The Economist

AFTER 11 years spent waging war on terror in Afghanistan and Iraq, almost $1.5 trillion in direct costs and hundreds of thousands of lives lost, the Western public feels it has learned a hard lesson. It is more convinced than ever that even the best-intentioned foreign intervention is bound to bog its armies down in endless wars fighting invisible enemies to help ungrateful locals.- The real danger is that the world turns its back on another poor ...

Sunday, January 27, 2013

Afghan War Affected By Budget Crisis, Says Pentagon - huffingtonpost

WASHINGTON — The Afghan war effort eventually would be harmed by across-the-board budget cuts, even as the Obama administration intends to shield the military's combat mission from the reductions, the Pentagon's No. 2 official said Friday. - Afghan War Affected By Budget Crisis, Says Pentagon - Afghanistan War

Henry Buchanan: Not only is leaving Afghanistan right, it's better right now - reporternews

Some people are arguing for us to stay to train Afghans to provide security. They already have learned that they can put on an American uniform, take a gun issued by us and shoot American soldiers at the breakfast table. How much more training do they need? They are already smarter than their teachers, and Karzai's government is not $16 trillion in debt. - Henry Buchanan: Not only is leaving Afghanistan right, it's better right …

وزیر خارجه هند: می‌خواهیم بخشی از راه‌حل باشیم - هشت صبح

دهلی جدید: سلمان خورشید وزیر خارجۀ هند می‌گوید کشورش به همکاری با افغانستان پس از سال 2014 متعهد است. او که روز گذشته در میان جمعی از خبرنگاران افغان در دهلی جدید صحبت می‌کرد، گفت که نقش هند در افغانستان مبتنی بر خواست و نیازهایی است که از جانب افغان‌ها مطرح می‌شود.- وزیر خارجه هند: می‌خواهیم بخشی از راه‌حل باشیم
درخواست 471میلیون دالر برای کمک‌های بشردوستانه

Buzkashi Boys - Short Film (Live Action) - Oscars 2013

Buzkashi–the national sport of Afghanistan–is essentially a lawless version of polo.- Buzkashi Boys - Short Film (Live Action) - Oscars 2013 --- Buzkashi Boys : Trailer
Sam French on Buzkashi Boys, his Oscar-Nominated Short About ...

به دنبال عشق از لس‌آنجلس تا کابل -- BBC

سام فرینچ، کارگردان فیلم "بچه‌های بزکشی" است که اخیرا نامزد بهترین فیلم کوتاه برای اسکار امسال شده است.- به دنبال عشق از لس‌آنجلس تا کابل
وضعیت دشوار آوارگان افغان در سرمای زمستان
Amnesty: Cold kills 17, including children, in Afghanistan camps

Saturday, January 26, 2013

US blacklists Afghan airline accused of smuggling opium - BBC

The blacklisting of Kam Air first came to light in an article in the Wall Street Journal on Friday. - US blacklists Afghan airline accused of smuggling opium
ارتش آمریکا شرکت کام‌ایر در افغانستان را به قاچاق مواد مخدر متهم کرد

Afghan Governor Positions for Presidency - WSJ

MAZAR-E-SHARIF, Afghanistan—Giant billboards of governor Mohammed Atta Nour far outnumber the portraits of President Hamid Karzai on the streets of Mazar-e-Sharif, the hub of northern Afghanistan. - Afghan Governor Positions for Presidency

China Could Prove Ultimate Winner In Afghanistan

KABUL (AP) — China, long a bystander to the conflict in Afghanistan, is stepping up its involvement as U.S.-led forces prepare to withdraw, attracted by the country's vast mineral resources but concerned that any post-2014 chaos could embolden Islamist insurgents in its own territory.- China Could Prove Ultimate Winner In Afghanistan
Andrew Small on China's Role in Afghanistan « German Marshall

Friday, January 25, 2013

No US peace dividend after Afghanistan - FT

Nearly 12 years after the US-led invasion of Afghanistan began, a war-weary America is getting ready to leave. But there will be little in the way of a peace dividend for the US economy once the fighting stops. - No US peace dividend after Afghanistan

Afghan Airline Ferried Opium, U.S. Alleges

KABUL—The U.S. military has blacklisted Afghanistan's largest private airline, alleging it is smuggling "bulk" quantities of opium on civilian flights to Tajikistan, a corridor through which the drugs reach the rest of the world.

Kam Air was barred this month from receiving U.S. military contracts by U.S. Central Command chief Marine Gen. James Mattis, according to U.S. military officials. - Afghan Airline Ferried Opium, US Alleges - Wall Street Journal
ایالات متحده امریکا شرکت هوایی کام ایر را در لیست سیاه قرار داده است

Afghanistan's colossal intelligence failure - Candace Rondeaux, Foreign Policy

Close observers of Afghanistan are not likely to be surprised by recent allegations contained in a United Nations report that the Afghan National Security Directorate, the CIA's leading counterterrorism partner in South Asia, used whips and electric shocks to squeeze confessions out of suspected insurgent detainees. - Afghanistan's colossal intelligence failure
America's non-committal relationship with Afghanistan - Candace Rondeaux

America's non-committal relationship with Afghanistan - Foreign Policy

"A decade of war is now ending," the president announced in his inaugural address Monday, even as soldiers continue to prepare for nine-month deployments to destinations including Uruzgan and Kandahar.

The White House has long talked in the abstract about bringing a ‘responsible' end to the war President Obama once called the fight ‘we have to win.'  What has been less clear is what the U.S. government has in mind regarding the very critical details concerning its commitment to Afghanistan post-2014.- America's non-committal relationship with Afghanistan - Gayle Tzemach Lemmon

Hillary Clinton Glasses Help With Double Vision Following Concussion - huffingtonpost

While giving her testimony before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee on the attack in Benghazi, Libya, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton donned new glasses to help with "lingering issues" from her concussion. - Hillary Clinton Glasses Help With Double Vision Following ...
Hillary Clinton's Glasses Are For Concussion, Not Fashion - abcnews

Critics of Jordan's king perform well in election

AMMAN, Jordan —  Loyalists of King Abdullah II, however, will remain in control of the new legislature, claiming a majority of the seats up for grabs in Wednesday's parliamentary election – touted as the start of a democratization process that will see the monarch, a close U.S.-ally, gradually hand over some of his absolute powers to lawmakers. - Islamists win seats in Jordan's parliament - AP

Thursday, January 24, 2013

Let freedom ring: Gen. Cartwright says 4G is America's lasting legacy in Afghanistan - FP

What will the longest-lasting and perhaps most important legacy of the United States' 11-year war in Afghanistan be? - Killer Apps: Let freedom ring: Gen. Cartwright says 4G is America's ...

'California did the impossible,' Brown says in State of the State - latimes

SACRAMENTO — Seeking to reclaim the state's identity as an innovator and engine of growth, Gov. Jerry Brown declared in a sweeping State of the State address that "California did the impossible" in emerging from financial crisis poised to lead again. - 'California did the impossible,' Brown says in State of the State
Afghanistan's new generation: Modern, ambitious ... naive?

New UN report highlights ongoing problem of torture in Afghan detention facilities

The report  by the UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) states that more than half of 635 conflict-related detainees interviewed experienced ill-treatment and torture, particularly in 34 facilities of the Afghan National Police (ANP) and the National Directorate of Security (NDS) between October 2011 and October 2012. - New UN report highlights ongoing problem of torture - the United ... -- United Nations News Centre - Systematic torture in Afghan detention
Afghan Officials Deny UN Report Findings - WSJ

John Kerry uses Senate hearing to warn Afghanistan over elections - Guardian

John Kerry, who is shortly expected to be confirmed as the next US secretary of state, has warned that Afghanistan must hold a legitimate presidential election next year or risk being totally abandoned by western governments after the withdrawal of foreign combat forces is complete in 2014. - John Kerry uses Senate hearing to warn Afghanistan over elections -

Kerry sails through Senate confirmation hearing on secretary of state bid - washingtonpost

Kerry outlined no grand agenda for the next four years. The closest he got to a foreign policy mission statement was the observation that “more than ever, foreign policy is economic policy.” - Kerry sails through Senate confirmation hearing on secretary of state ...
In her Capitol Hill swan song, Hillary Clinton shines
Testimony to the Senate Foreign Relations Committee; - state.gov

میلاد پیامبر اسلام محمد صلی الله علیه وسلم در کابل تجلیل شد

حضرت محمد مصطفی ص به روز دوشنبه 12 ماه ربیع الاول سال 570 میلادی چشم به جهان گشود. مسلمانها در جهان از این روز همه ساله یاد بود به عمل می آوردند. - میلاد پیامبر اسلام محمد صلی الله علیه وسلم در کابل تجلیل شد
د اسلام د ستر پیغمبر د میلاد مراسم نن په کابل کې ترسره شول

Karzai's Brother Renounces U.S. Citizenship To Enter Afghan Politics - rferl

KABUL -- Mahmud Karzai, a brother of Afghanistan's president, says he has renounced his U.S. citizenship to launch a political career. - Karzai's Brother Renounces US Citizenship To Enter Afghan Politics

محور ورځپاڼه: افغان تجارت لاهم درېيم لاس کاروبار دی

افغان سوداګر وایي، پاکستان دافغانستان وچه میوه پروسیس کوي او پخپل نوم یې نړیوال بازار ته صادروي. سوداگرو ادعا کرې، چې افغان دولت ملي سوداګر سخت تاوانيان کړي اولس کاله وروسته هم افغان تجارت درېيم لاس کاروبار دی. دسوداګرۍ خونې چارواکو په وینا په روان لمريز کال کې دوچې مېوې په صادراتو کې ۳۰سلنه زياتوالی راغی، خو تحقيقات ثابتوي چې روان بهير يې دافغانستان سوداګريز نظام ته ګټه نشي رسولای. - تاند - محور ورځپاڼه: افغان تجارت لاهم درېيم لاس کاروبار دی

Facing Congress, Clinton Defends Her Actions Before and After Libya Attack - nytimes

WASHINGTON — In one of her final appearances as secretary of state, Hillary Rodham Clinton, on Wednesday vigorously defended her handling of last September’s attack on the United States diplomatic compound in Benghazi, Libya, which killed four Americans and prompted a scathing review of State Department procedures. - Facing Congress, Clinton Defends Her Actions Before and After Libya Attack 
Hillary Clinton takes blame for Benghazi - POLITICO

Prince Harry: I'm longing to see Prince William and Catherine - Telegraph

Prince Harry has arrived back in the UK after his tour of duty in Afghanistan. - Prince Harry: I'm longing to see Prince William and Catherine - Prince Harry - Afghanistan

New anti-stroke drug available on NHS - Telegraph

A ‘new generation’ drug that dramatically cuts the risk of stroke for people with a common type of heart palpitation has been given the green light for prescription on the NHS. - New anti-stroke drug available on NHS - Elder Health
Anna Soubry: lunch at your desk is bad for your health - UK News

Wednesday, January 23, 2013

هیلاری کلینتون از عملکرد خود در واقعه بنغازی دفاع کرد

خانم کلینتون در پاسخ با عصبانیت این اتهامات را رد کرد و گفت: "چه فرقی می کند که این حمله در واکنش به اعتراض تظاهرات کنندگان به فیلم توهین آمیز (علیه پیامبر اسلام) اتفاق افتاده باشد یا تصمیم برنامه ریزی شده عده ای برای کشتن کارمند کنسولگری، مهم این است که ما تمهیداتی بیندیشیم که چنین وقایعی دیگر تکرار نشود." - هیلاری کلینتون از عملکرد خود در واقعه بنغازی دفاع کرد
Clinton defends Benghazi handling - BBC

Despite a Whiff of Unpleasant Exaggeration, a City’s Pollution Is Real - nytimes

KABUL, Afghanistan — It has long been a given that the air pollution in this city gets horrific: on average even worse than Beijing’s infamous haze, by one measure. - Despite a Whiff of Unpleasant Exaggeration, a City's Pollution Is Real
Clinton Cites New Security Steps After Libya Attack

Rohrabacher grills Clinton on Benghazi attack - NBC

Rep. Dana Rohrabacher, R-Calif., questions Hillary Clinton about when was the Benghazi deadly incident called an terrorist attack.  - Rohrabacher grills Clinton on Benghazi attack
Clinton, grilled on Benghazi attack, cites spreading regional threat - latimes

Clinton forcefully defends handling of Benghazi attack

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Secretary of State Hillary Clinton on Wednesday forcefully defended her handling of the September 11 attack on the U.S. mission in the Libyan city of Benghazi and denied any effort to mislead the American people. - Clinton forcefully defends handling of Benghazi attack

بې پېلوټه الوتکو په نورستان کې ۳۵ تنه مړه او ژوبل کړل

د نورستان ولایتي چارواکي وايي چې د امریکا بې پېلوټه الوتکو په دغه ولایت کې لږترلږه ۳۵ وسله وال طالبان یا وژلي او یا ژوبل کړي دي.-  تاند - بې پېلوټه الوتکو په نورستان کې ۳۵ تنه مړه او ژوبل کړل
پس از نشر گزارش یوناما؛ حامد کرزی دستور تحقیق داد

7 Pressing Foreign Policy Challenges for Obama’s 2nd Term - National Journal

Obama and his aides hope that the winding down of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan will help him maintain a focus on domestic priorities.  7 Pressing Foreign Policy Challenges for Obama's 2nd Term

Obama's Radical Inaugural Speech - National Interest

President Obama, long reviled by the left as a trimmer and the right as a socialist, delivered one of his most impassioned and liberal speeches at the inaugural, a fiery exhortation that sought to shift the cultural ground of America. - Obama's Radical Inaugural Speech
Obama's Second Term Challenge - Robert W. Merry

علمای افغان و مصر در کابل روی حقوق زنان بحث می کنند

به گفته برگزار کننده گان این سیمینار، علمای دینی افغان و مصری به طور مشخص در رابطه به حق مهر و نفقه، حق ازدواج، حجاب، خشونت های خانواده گی علیه زنان، سن ازدواج دختران، حق میراث و برخی موارد دیگر وابسته به حقوق زنان بحث و تبادل نظر خواهند کرد.- علمای افغان و مصر در کابل روی حقوق زنان بحث می کنند
حکومت افغانستان برای بررسی موارد شکنجه، یک هیات را موظف ساخت

The Asia Foundation Delivers 1.2 Million Children’s Books throughout Afghanistan

San Francisco, December 20, 2012 — The Asia Foundation’s Books for Asia  program has distributed 1.2 million children’s books in Dari, Pashto, and English. Over the span of a year and a half, these traditional Afghan folktales – published by Hoopoe Books in Los Altos, California – were distributed to 33 of Afghanistan’s 34 provinces, from Kabul to the country’s most remote and war-torn provinces.- The Asia Foundation Delivers 1.2 Million Children's Books ... - The Asia Foundation

Tuesday, January 22, 2013

Afghanistan: 17 winter deaths in camps highlight government protection failure - Amnesty

Afghanistan’s displacement settlements in early January, highlighting the desperate and immediate need for improved aid delivery during the bitter cold winter months, Amnesty International said. - Afghanistan: 17 winter deaths in camps highlight government ...
Cold Weather Kills Children in Afghan Refugee Camps - NYTimes ...

Top U.S. commander in Afghanistan cleared in Pentagon inquiry

(Reuters) - General John Allen, the commander of U.S. and NATO forces in Afghanistan, was cleared by Pentagon investigators of allegations of professional misconduct over email exchanges with a Florida soc ialite, U.S. officials said on Tuesday.- Top U.S. commander in Afghanistan cleared in Pentagon inquiry

Monday, January 21, 2013

Cold kills 17 in Afghan refugee camps: Amnesty

KABUL — Severe cold weather sweeping through camps for people displaced by the Afghan war has killed 17 people, mostly children, Amnesty International said Tuesday. - Cold kills 17 in Afghan refugee camps: Amnesty
Prince Harry ends Afghan tour, says killed Taliban - AFP

The case for an enduring mission in Afghanistan

If the United States and NATO don't finish the job now, they will leave it to another generation. Many of those fighting in Afghanistan now were 5 and 6 years old at the start of the war; we do not want the same future for the current generation of 5- and 6-year-olds. - The case for an enduring mission in Afghanistan - FP

Inauguration 2013: President Obama's second inauguration speech - latimes

Here is a transcript of President Obama’s second inaugural address, as provided by the White House in advance of his speech: - Text 
Obama speech has sweeping, liberal vision

Obama Offers Liberal Vision: 'We Must Act'

WASHINGTON — Barack Hussein Obama ceremonially opened his second term on Monday with an assertive Inaugural Address that offered a robust articulation of modern liberalism in America, arguing that “preserving our individual freedoms ultimately requires collective action.” - Obama Offers Liberal Vision: 'We Must Act'
President Obama’s Inaugural Address - nytimes

Inauguration 2013: What Michelle Obama is wearing - CBS

The first family headed out to Monday's inaugural festivities with Michelle Obama leading a very coordinated fashion parade in a navy-silk, checkered-patterned coat and dress by Thom Browne that were inspired by a menswear necktie.- Inauguration 2013: What Michelle Obama is wearing
Thom Browne on Michelle Obama's inauguration outfit
Michelle Obama wears Jason Wu to inaugural balls

Taliban militants storm Afghanistan traffic police HQ in Kabul; at least 10 wounded - CBS

KABUL, Afghanistan Taliban suicide bombers blew up a car and stormed Kabul traffic police headquarters before dawn Monday, setting off a gun battle that raged for six hours and left at least three dead and 12 people wounded, police said. - Taliban militants storm Afghanistan traffic police HQ in Kabul; at ...

An Excerpted Inaugural Address - nytimes

The full transcript of President Obama’s second inaugural speech is available here. -- The Eight-Minute Inaugural Address
Text: Obama’s Second Inaugural Speech
Obama Sworn In for 2nd Term, This Time Quietly

Obama Sets Goal to Broaden Equality - nytimes

WASHINGTON — Barack Hussein Obama renewed his oath of office at midday Monday, ceremonially marking the beginning of another four years in the White House and firmly embracing a progressive agenda centered on equality and opportunity. - Obama Sets Goal to Broaden Equality -- Video: Obama's Address
President Obama’s Second Inauguration

سازمان ملل: در زندانهای افغانستان شکنجه گسترده ادامه دارد

سازمان ملل متحد در گزارشی از وجود گسترده شکنجه در زندانهای افغانستان خبر می‌دهد.-  سازمان ملل: در زندانهای افغانستان شکنجه گسترده ادامه دارد
حمله انتحاری 'چند مهاجم' به ساختمان پلیس در کابل
Torture in Afghan prisons is 'widespread'

Pursuing Ambitious Global Goals, but With a More Modest Strategy - nytimes

WASHINGTON — Not quite nine months into his presidency, Barack Obama Barwoke to the news that he had won the Nobel Peace Prize — not for anything yet accomplished, but for the promise that he would end the Iraq war, win the “war of necessity” in Afghanistan, move toward the elimination of nuclear weapons, tackle climate change and engage America’s adversaries. - Obama's Foreign Policy Goals Appear More Modest
Anti-Torture Efforts in Afghanistan Failed, UN Says

Taliban attack Kabul police facility for hours

KABUL, Afghanistan (AP) — Taliban suicide bombers blew up a car and stormed Kabul traffic police headquarters before dawn Monday, setting off a gunbattle that raged for six hours and left at least 10 people wounded, police said.- Taliban attack Kabul police facility for hours
Taliban attack Kabul police facility for hours - Yahoo! News