Salem-News.com Afghanistan articles Page 7

Nato`s Total Withdrawal from Afghanistan Could Rock Asia Stability

Two years later, Iraq is experiencing a major upsurge in terrorist violence from a revived al-Qaeda.

(HONG KONG World Review) - NATO'S withdrawal from Afghanistan in 2014 is likely to have far-reaching implications for Central and South Asia. And total withdrawal of troops could be devastating for regional security and jeopardise the safety of western nations, say analysts.

The stability of the region is linked directly to the US’s long-term military and economic commitment to Afghanistan after Nato troops are scheduled to leave.

Zalmai Rassoul Discusses `Roadmap` for First 100 Days

Rassoul advocated an openness in foreign policy, and said Afghanistan could not afford to be isolated from the international community, especially in the South Asian region, anymore.

(KABUL) - In an exclusive interview with TOLOnews, Presidential candidate Zalmai Rassoul discussed the key features of what would be his "roadmap" for the first 100 days in office, if elected President in April.

Rassoul, the former Minister of Foreign Affairs, told TOLOnews that security, the economy, the peace process and corruption would be his top priorities.

Australia Offers To Keep Troops In Afghanistan After 2014

Australia currently has around 1,200 soldiers in Afghanistan, most of them based in Urozgan Province.

(KABUL) - The Australian ambassador to Afghanistan says his government has offered to keep up to 400 troops in Afghanistan after the withdrawal of U.S.-led NATO forces in 2014.

Jon Philip told RFE/RL that Australia has made an offer to the Afghan government to keep between 100 and 400 troops in Afghanistan into "2015 and onwards." He said it would be up to Afghan officials to decide if they want the Australian soldiers to stay.

Medal of Honor Recepient Dakota Meyer and Gunnery Sgt Aaron M Kenefick, USMC Ganjgal

If the U.S. Army had had its way, there would have been no survivors at all

(SACRAMENTO) - Dakota Meyer grew up as a country boy amongst the corn and tobacco fields in the rolling hills and lush farmland of Columbia, Kentucky.

He was awarded the Medal of Honor, our nation’s highest honor for courage and valor, during a terrible event in Afghanistan just more than four years ago.

How to Make Enemies around the World in Two Easy Lessons

One has to wonder if US policy makers are really that stupid...

(JAMESTOWN, RI) - Sometimes the policy of my country sickens me. Take Egypt for example. A democratic election, was held, and by a narrow victory Mr. Morsi was elected President.

He won a majority of the public vote, but he was the leader of the “Muslim Brotherhood” party, and so immediately US mainstream media did not like him, despite the fact that the Muslim Brotherhood party of Egypt is a very moderate party, and despite the fact their party prevailed in a democratic election.

Commentary on Senator Feinstein`s Defense of NSA Surveillance

Feinstein says the erosion of public confidence in our intelligence community can be laid at the feet of whistle blower Edward Snowden.

(SAN FRANCISCO) - Senator Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.) recently wrote an Op-Ed piece, "NSA's call-records program is prudence -- not prying," that appeared in the San Francisco Chronicle defending the National Security Agency's programs.

In her Op-Ed, Senator Feinstein disingenuously assures us that the NSA does not conduct surveillance, but rather it merely collects information contained on the average telephone bill...

IBTimes: VA Stops Releasing Data On Injured Vets As Total Reaches Grim Milestone

VA ceased to disclose this data despite President Obama’s second-term campaign pledge that his administration would be open and transparent.

(PORTLAND, OR) - As many of you know, the Pentagon reports 51,583 WIA in the two wars through Nov. 3 and 59,908 injured in non hostile causes or sick enough to be evacuated—but only through Dec 3, 2012 when it stopped reporting that category of casualties.

The reason the VA has treated a million vets, although only 111,491 were wounded or injured in theater (to Dec 3), it that most of them (about 890,000) sought treatment for their conditions after they returned home.

Army Captain Will Swenson to Receive Medal of Honor for Role in Ganjgal Ambush

Four years after the Ganjgal ambush, where the U.S. Army refused to rescue four Marines, a soldier is honored at the highest level for his heroism.

(CARLSBAD, NM) - Most Americans who pay attention to the news are familiar with the name, Dakota Myer. He's the U.S. Marine who won the Medal of Honor for heroism during the 2009 Ganjgal ambush in Afghanistan.

His actions were unquestionably above and beyond the call of duty, but the same holds true for a former Army Captain named Will Swenson who risked his life in a similar manner that morning trying to save and recover the men who took part in a mission that led them to a village called Ganjgal - which was simply a death trap.

Ex MI5 Officer Appears in London Play on 911 Attacks

Ian Henshall, campaigner and author of 911 The New Evidence (pub Constable) will be attending on Sunday 13th of October and available for question and answer after the show.

(LONDON) - Ex M.I.5 officer and whistleblower, David Shayler is acting in a London play until Oct 13th. The play, "Seven Seconds" presents questions over the official account of how and why WTC building 7 fell into its own footprint at free fall speed on the afternoon of the 911 attacks.

Distinguished academic, Niels Harrit who examined dust from the WTC, and found traces of a military grade nano thermite, will be attending on Sat 12th and Sun 13th, and will be available for question and answer after the show.

From Afghan Youth to Leaders of Today: Daylight is Almost Here

The daylight of a global awakening...

(KABUL) - We, the Afghan Peace Volunteers, are finding strength amidst our dark nights because, in the daylight of a global awakening, we see people throughout the world refusing to comply with oppressive systems.

We see that we aren’t alone in rejecting governments and militant groups that wage wars and make deals at the expense of ordinary people.