Unofficial Afghan militias forming to fight Taliban, War on Terror, NewAgeIslam.com

War on Terror

Unofficial Afghan militias forming to fight Taliban

By Dexter Filkins

November 23, 2009

American and Afghan officials have begun helping a number of anti-Taliban militias that have independently taken up arms against insurgents in several parts of Afghanistan, prompting hopes of a large-scale tribal rebellion against the Taliban.

The emergence of the militias, which took some leaders in Kabul by surprise, has so encouraged United States and Afghan officials that they are planning to spur the growth of similar armed groups across the Taliban heartland in the southern and eastern parts of the country.

They are hoping the plan, called the Community Defence Initiative, will bring together thousands of gunmen to protect their neighbourhoods from Taliban insurgents. Already there are hundreds of Afghans who are acting on their own against the Taliban, they say.

The endeavour represents one of the most ambitious — and one of the riskiest — plans for regaining the initiative against the Taliban, which is fighting more vigorously than at any time since 2001.

By harnessing the militias, U.S. and Afghan officials hope to rapidly increase the number of Afghans fighting the Taliban. That could supplement the U.S. and Afghan forces and whatever number of U.S. troops President Barack Obama might decide to send. The militias could also help fill the gap while the Afghan army and police forces train and grow — a project that could take years to bear fruit.

http://newageislam.com/unofficial-afghan-militias-forming-to-fight-taliban/war-on-terror/d/2129

Afghan Cabinet Minister Claims Karzai Victory, Islamic World News, NewAgeIslam.com

Islamic World News

Afghan Cabinet Minister Claims Karzai Victory

KABUL, Afghanistan — President Hamid Karzai has won reelection with a clear mandate, garnering 68 percent of the vote in last week’s presidential election, Finance Minister Hazrat Omar Zakhilwal said Monday, citing preliminary figures. That count would dispense with the need for a second round.

Official results have yet to be released — Afghanistan’s election commission plans to announce partial results on Tuesday — but the minister, who is also chief economic adviser to the president, quoted figures he said had been provided to the cabinet. About five million people voted, and 450,000 ballots still have to be counted, he said.

Of the votes counted, Mr. Karzai has won over 3 million, while his chief rival, Dr Abdullah Abdullah won 1.5 million, the minister said. Ramazan Bashardost has won about 4.5 per cent of the vote and Ashraf Ghani around 1 per cent, he said.

Source: http://www.nytimes.com/2009/08/25/world/asia/25afghan.html?hp

http://newageislam.com/afghan-cabinet-minister-claims-karzai-victory-/islamic-world-news/d/1674

Tariq Ali, Flight Path to Disaster in Afghanistan: A Tomgram despatch, Islam,Terrorism and Jihad, NewAgeIslam.com

Islam,Terrorism and Jihad

Tariq Ali, Flight Path to Disaster in Afghanistan: A Tomgram despatch

Breaking with Afghan Policy

Operation Enduring Disaster

By Tariq Ali

Washington's hawks will argue that, while bad, the military situation is, in fact, still salvageable. This may be technically accurate, but it would require the carpet-bombing of southern Afghanistan and parts of Pakistan, the destruction of scores of villages and small towns, the killing of untold numbers of Pashtuns and the dispatch to the region of at least 200,000 more troops with all their attendant equipment, air, and logistical support. The political consequences of such a course are so dire that even Dick Cheney, the closest thing to Dr. Strangelove that Washington has yet produced, has been uncharacteristically cautious when it comes to suggesting a military solution to the conflict.

It has, by now, become obvious to the Pentagon that Afghan President Hamid Karzai and his family cannot deliver what is required and yet it is probably far too late to replace him with UN ambassador Zalmay Khalilzad. On his part, fighting for his political (and probably physical) existence, Karzai continues to protect his brother Ahmad Wali Karzai, accused of being involved in the country's staggering drug trade, but has belatedly sacked Hamidullah Qadri, his transport minister, for corruption.

Qadri was taking massive kickbacks from a company flying pilgrims to Mecca. Is nothing sacred?

http://newageislam.com/tariq-ali,-flight-path-to-disaster-in-afghanistan--a-tomgram-despatch--/islam,terrorism-and-jihad/d/992

Australians kept Taleban suspects in dog pen, Islam and Human Rights, NewAgeIslam.com

Islam and Human Rights

Australians kept Taleban suspects in dog pen

Kristen Gelineau I AP

3 September 2008 (03 Ramadan 1429)

Australian Defence Minister Joel Fitzgibbon confirmed yesterday that four suspected insurgents who were arrested by Special Forces soldiers on April 29 were held for 24 hours in a compound occasionally used to house dogs.

The soldiers’ actions prompted strong criticism from the head of Australia’s main Islamic group, the Australian Federation of Islamic Councils.

“It is quite appalling that the Australian soldiers are in any way caught up in the inhumane treatment of human beings — irrespective of who they are,” said federation president Ikebal Patel. “I think it’s quite despicable that something like that could happen and that the Australians are party to it.”

The revelation follows complaints by an Afghan soldier about mistreatment of the detainees, who were held in southern Uruzgan province following a battle with Taleban fighters. An Australian Defence Force inquiry last week found that medical evidence and witness statements did not support allegations of abuse.

http://newageislam.com/australians-kept-taleban-suspects-in-dog-pen/islam-and-human-rights/d/699

The World Still Blames America for 9/11, War on Terror, NewAgeIslam.com

War on Terror

The World Still Blames America for 9/11

By Michelle Malkin: Townhall.com Columnist

Friday, September 12, 2008

In 2006, the AQ flacks released tape of Osama bin Laden at an Afghan training camp with several of the 9/11 hijackers. "I ask you to pray for them and to ask God to make them successful, aim their shots well, set their feet strong and strengthen their hearts," bin Laden urged in the sicko promo. In April, another clip showed irate and aggrieved jihadi leader Ayman al-Zawahri lambasting Hezbollah for crediting Israel for the 9/11 attacks. "The purpose of this lie is clear -- (to suggest) that there are no heroes among the Sunnis who can hurt America as no else did in history. Iranian media snapped up this lie and repeated it," he griped.

But to no avail. Maybe this is why FBI Most Wanted Terrorist Adam Yahiye Gadahn, the American-born Muslim convert turned al-Qaida publicist, has not been heard from in a while. He's been falling down on the job. Either that or those damned 9/11 Truther conspiracy nuts have surpassed the Islamic jihadis' recruitment efforts on YouTube. Time to hire a new viral violence marketing team.

So, who's stealing the bin Laden operation's thunder around the globe and getting all the blame (er, credit) for the September 11 terrorist attacks? The citizens of the world have cast their vote. Seven years after Mohamed Atta, Hani Hanjour and their Allahu Akbar-screaming team succeeded in slaughtering nearly 3,000 innocent men, women and children, large numbers of our putative allies in the civilized world still blame America and Israel.

http://newageislam.com/the-world-still-blames-america-for-9/11/war-on-terror/d/723

Tariq Ali: Has the U.S. Invasion of Pakistan Begun?, War on Terror, NewAgeIslam.com

War on Terror

Tariq Ali: Has the U.S. Invasion of Pakistan Begun?

In Iraq, 146,000 American soldiers seem not to be going anywhere anytime soon, while in Afghanistan another 33,000 embattled American troops (and tens of thousands of NATO troops), suffering their highest casualties since the Taliban fell in 2001, are fighting a spreading insurgency backed by growing anger over foreign occupation. The disintegration seems to be proceeding apace in that country as the Taliban begins tothrottle the supply routes leading into the Afghan capital of Kabul, while the governor of a province just diedin an IED blast. "President" Hamid Karzai was long ago nicknamed "the mayor of Kabul." Today, that tag seems ever more appropriate as the influence of his corrupt government steadily weakens.

In the meantime, in Pakistan, a new war, no less unpredictable and unpalatable than the last two, develops, as American strikes fan the flames of Pakistani nationalism. Already the Pakistani military may have fired itsfirst warning shots at American troops. Part of the horror here is that much of the present nightmare in Afghanistan and Pakistan can be traced to the sorry U.S. relationship with Pakistan's military and its intelligence services back in the early 1980s. At that time, in its anti-Soviet jihad, the Reagan administration was, in conjunction with the Pakistanis, actively nurturing the forces that the Bush administration is now so intent on fighting. No one knows this story, this record, better than the Pakistani-born journalist and writer Tariq Ali.

http://newageislam.com/tariq-ali--has-the-u.s.-invasion-of-pakistan-begun?/war-on-terror/d/737

Ex U.S. official: Afghan leader shields drug trade, War on Terror, NewAgeIslam.com

War on Terror

Ex U.S. official: Afghan leader shields drug trade

Posted 24 July 2008

Karzai, in Kabul at a joint press conference with the visiting NATO chief Jaap de Hoop Scheffer, said Afghanistan should not be blamed for the booming narcotics trade, although his government deemed it a menace to the future of Afghanistan.

"As I had said two years ago, Afghanistan never takes the blame (for the drugs threat). The Afghan nation due to desperation, war... has been forced to (resort to) this issue," Karzai replied when asked to comment about Schweich's comments.

He said his government had put behind bars hundreds of drugs traffickers and pressed for a substantive solution of the drugs threat.

"Without doubt, some Afghans are drugs smugglers, but majority of them are the international mafia who do not live in Afghanistan," he said.

Schweich also criticized the Pentagon for refusing U.S. military support for drug eradication efforts and arguing that it was someone else's job to clean up the drug business after the war is over.

http://newageislam.com/ex-u.s.-official--afghan-leader-shields-drug-trade/war-on-terror/d/367

Great game in Central Asia, Islam and the West, NewAgeIslam.com

Islam and the West

Great game in Central Asia

Ahmed Rashid talks about the re- emergence of Taliban and how they are now contesting the US- led coalition

By Manoj Joshi

We in India have known of the ISI machinations, watched with bewilderment how it has run circles around its American allies, and dealt with the anti- Indian obsession of the Pakistan Army. Yet the story he has to tell is a tragic one. In the wake of the horrific Nine- Eleven, the United States was virtually backed by every country in the world in its decision to invade Afghanistan and root out the Taliban Taliban that had sheltered the Al Qaeda. The global effort led to the dawn of a new era in Afghanistan with the election of the Hamid Karzai government backed by the traditional Afghan Loya Jirga and elections. The warlords were brought under check, reconstruction aided by among others, India, was undertaken. But today, the country and the region stand on the brink of chaos. Just how we have reached there is the theme of the book which looks quite pitilessly at the failures of the US, the Karzai government, and the Pakistan government, dominated in these years by its army.

http://newageislam.com/great-game-in-central-asia/islam-and-the-west/d/413

Reality check: The American-Pakistani disconnect, War on Terror, NewAgeIslam.com

War on Terror

Reality check: The American-Pakistani disconnect

By Shafqat Mahmood

Friday, August 08, 2008

Pakistan's complaints do not end here. It accuses the Americans, who are the power behind the puppet Afghan government, of allowing anti-Pakistan activities to take place on Afghan soil. They have allowed the Indian government to establish consulates in various places near the Pakistani border that have only one purpose; to create trouble in Baluchistan and engage in sabotage and terrorism in other parts of the country. They have also through the puppet Afghan government provided sanctuary to anti Pakistan elements such as Brahamdagh Bugti and others.

There are claims in the press that Americans have provided evidence to Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gillani of ISI hand in the Indian embassy bombing in Kabul. No one in the government has confirmed this, but Pakistani security sources have been quoted in the media as strongly denying any link with it. They have also refuted that the ISI provides any support to the Afghan Taliban. The only interaction, some analysts have pointed out, was with the Sirajuddin Haqqani group to obtain the release of the kidnapped Pakistani ambassador to Afghanistan. Anything more than that is baseless.

http://newageislam.com/reality-check--the-american-pakistani-disconnect/war-on-terror/d/463

Pakistan terror war focus finally on target, says US: Kayani attends secret talks with American military chief on aircraft carrier, War on Terror

War on Terror

Pakistan terror war focus finally on target, says US: Kayani attends secret talks with American military chief on aircraft carrier

By Anwar Iqbal

Other top US generals who attended the meeting included Gen David Petraeus, top US commander in Iraq, who will soon take charge of the US command for the Middle East, Afghanistan and Pakistan; Gen David McKiernan, Nato’s top commander in Afghanistan; and Admiral Eric Olson, head of the US special operations command. Also present were Lt-Gen Martin Dempsey, acting commander of American forces in the Middle East, and Rear Admiral Michael LeFever, senior American military liaison to Pakistan.

The Pakistani side was represented by Army Chief General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani and his key commanders.

The meeting underscored the great concern both Pakistan and the US feel about the grave threat posed by a resurgent Taliban and a determined Al Qaeda to the stability and integrity of Pakistan and Afghanistan, US officials said.

The extreme secrecy surrounding the talks came amidst a series of worrying developments: continuing political turmoil in Pakistan, increasingly deadly attacks against Afghan and western targets in Afghanistan and a US top general’s complaints that the Pakistani military is not doing enough to stop militants from launching attacks into Afghanistan.

http://newageislam.com/pakistan-terror-war-focus-finally-on-target,-says-us--kayani-attends-secret-talks-with-american-military-chief-on-aircraft-carrier/war-on-terror/d/660

Tomgram: Ann Jones, Afghan Women Behind Closed Doors, War on Terror, NewAgeIslam.com

War on Terror

Tomgram: Ann Jones, Afghan Women Behind Closed Doors

Despite George W. Bush's claim that he's "truly not that concerned" about Osama bin Laden, the administration is erecting 10 "Wanted" billboards in Afghanistan, offering rewards of $25 million for bin Laden, $10 million for Taliban leader Mullah Omar, and $1 million for Adam Gadahn, an American member of Al Qaeda, now listed as a "top terrorist." That's 10 nice, big, literal signs that the administration is waking up, only seven years after 9/11 and the American "victory" that followed, to its "forgotten war."

When I wrote this piece for TomDispatch in February 2007, I'd been working intermittently since 2002 with women in Afghanistan -- women the Bush administration claimed to have "liberated" by that victory. In all those years, despite some dramatic changes on paper, the real lives of most Afghan women didn't change a bit, and many actually worsened thanks to the residual widespread infection of men's minds by germs of Taliban "thought." Today, Afghanistan is the only country in the world where women outdo men when it comes to suicide.

http://newageislam.com/tomgram--ann-jones,-afghan-women-behind-closed-doors/war-on-terror/d/672

Afghanistan orders investigation into US attack, War on Terror, NewAgeIslam.com

War on Terror

Afghanistan orders investigation into US attack

By RAHIM FAIEZ

Meanwhile, the chief government official in the Deh Bala district of Nangarhar province said villagers reported that between 30 and 35 people walking in a group toward a wedding were killed in a bombing early Sunday. Up to 10 others were wounded, he said.

Haji Amishah Gul said the group was hit while resting in the shadow of a mountain. Those killed included men, women and children, he said.

No other officials could immediately confirm Gul's claim because of the remote location of the incident. No hospitals reported receiving any of the wounded.

The U.S.-led coalition said an airstrike killed several militants in Nangarhar. Spokesman 1st Lt. Nathan Perry said he had no reports that civilians were among those killed.

Karzai's statement appeared to indicate that Afghan civilians were fleeing in cars during the time of Friday's airstrike by coalition helicopters because of a warning from the U.S. coalition.

http://newageislam.com/afghanistan-orders-investigation-into-us-attack/war-on-terror/d/174