Forum Views ()
Forum Replies ()
Read more with google mobile :
Taliban influence growing, US military chief warns
Yahoo!
My Yahoo!
Mail
More Yahoo! Services
Account Options
New User? Sign Up
Sign In
Help
Yahoo! Search
web search
Home
Singapore
Asia Pacific
World
Business
Entertainment
Sports
Technology
Australia
China
India
Indonesia
Japan
Malaysia
Philippines
Thailand
Vietnam
Taliban influence growing, US military chief warns
AFP - Wednesday, February 3
Send
IM Story
Print
WASHINGTON (AFP) - – The top US military officer on Tuesday urged Congress to approve billions of dollars for the war in Afghanistan, warning the Taliban was gaining influence across the country.
Admiral Mike Mullen, chairman of the US Joint Chiefs of Staff, told lawmakers that "without your continued support, we will not be able to show the meaningful progress in Afghanistan that the commander-in-chief has ordered, the American people expect and the Afghan people so desperately need."
He warned that the "Taliban have a growing influence in most of Afghanistan's provinces, and the border area between that country and Pakistan remains the epicenter of global terrorism."
President Barack Obama on Monday asked Congress for 33 billion dollars in supplemental funding this year to pay for a surge of US troops and for 159 billion in the 2011 defense budget to cover the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq.
As part of Obama's surge of 30,000 reinforcements, nearly 4,500 troops have deployed and about 18,000 forces would be in place by "late spring," Mullen told the Senate Armed Services Committee.
He said the remaining troops would arrive "as rapidly as possible over the summer and early fall."
Defense officials said the pace of the surge was on track.
The surge meant that more US troops would be in Afghanistan than Iraq by the middle of this year, said the admiral, who was joined at the hearing by Defense Secretary Robert Gates.
"Right now, the Taliban believe they're winning," Mullen said.
But he said that in 18 months, "if we've executed our strategy, we'll know that they won't -- that they can't."
He acknowledged that prevailing would mean "more sacrifice and more bloodshed" but added: "the stakes are too high for failure."
His comments came as the death toll of foreign soldiers fighting in Afghanistan under US and NATO command hit 44 in January -- the highest for that month since the war began more than eight years ago -- compared with 25 in January 2009.
The number of Americans who died last month in the conflict was almost double the number for January last year, at 29 compared with 15, according to the icasualties.org website, which keeps a running tally.
Obama's commander in Afghanistan, General Stanley McChrystal, has portrayed the surge as a way to shift the momentum against the Taliban and prepare the way for a bid by the Kabul government to forge a possible peace deal and "reconciliation."
McChrystal last month said that the US troop buildup had started to turn the tide against the Taliban, who were ousted in a 2001 US-led invasion.
The Pentagon's budget request includes money for more special forces, helicopters, unmanned aircraft and armored vehicles designed to withstand roadside bombs -- the number one killer of US and NATO-led troops in Afghanistan.
The war funds also include 11.6 billion dollars to expand the Afghan security forces from about 195,000 to more than 300,000, a crucial part of Obama's plan to start withdrawing US troops in July 2011
In the 2010 budget, the administration asked for 130 billion dollars to fund the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, which have already cost one trillion dollars since 2001.
Excluding the cost of the wars, the 2011 defense budget comes to 548.9 billion, a modest increase of about two percent over the previous budget when adjusted for inflation.
The funding for the wars was expected to win approval in Congress. But some Democrats have demanded the Pentagon's weapons budget be included in belt-tightening measures amid concern over the government's mushrooming budget deficit.
Recommend
Send
IM Story
Print
Related Articles
Obama to meet Dalai Lama despite China: White House AFP - 1 hour 58 minutes ago
US missile volley kills 16 militants in Pakistan: officials AFP - 2 hours 19 minutes ago
EU anti-piracy force welcomes China interest AFP - 2 hours 42 minutes ago
Obama to meet Dalai Lama despite China warnings Reuters - 1 hour 38 minutes ago
US warns Japan child custody laws could harm ties AP - Wednesday, February 3
News Search
Top Stories
Ford US auto sales jump 24 percent in January
Lancet formally retracts 1998 paper linking vaccine and autism
Germany to pay $3.5m for Swiss data on tax dodgers
Obama to highlight jobs, small business lending
French court asks did Continental cause Concorde crash
More Top Stories »
ADVERTISEMENT
Most Popular
Most Viewed
Most Recommended
Healthy adults need less sleep as they age: study
French court asks did Continental cause Concorde crash
ExxonMobil profit at 6 billion dollars in fourth quarter
Sony Pictures Entertainment cuts 450 jobs
Toyota prepares to roll out pedal repairs
More Most Viewed »
Scientists praise Obama as Doomsday clock reset
More Most Recommended »
Elsewhere on Yahoo!
Financial news on Yahoo! Finance
Stars and latest movies
Best travel destinations
More on Yahoo! News
Home
Singapore
Asia Pacific
World
Business
Entertainment
Sports
Technology
Subscribe to our news feeds
Top StoriesMy Yahoo!RSS
» More news feeds | What are news feeds?
Also on Yahoo
Answers
Groups
Mail
Messenger
Mobile
Travel
Finance
Movies
Sports
Games
» All Yahoo! Services
Site Highlights
Singapore
Full Coverage
Most Popular
Asia Entertainment
Photos
Copyright © 2010 Yahoo! Southeast Asia Pte. Ltd. (Co. Reg. No. 199700735D). All Rights Reserved.
Terms of Service |
Privacy Policy |
Community |
Intellectual Property Rights Policy |
Help
Other News on Wednesday, 3 February 2010 Dictatorship still exists in post-1979 Iran: Mousavi
Russia-Ukraine spy scandal erupts on eve of vote
Obama to meet Dalai Lama despite China warnings
|
Nokia, SAP, G&D start anti-counterfeiting joint venture
Germany to pay $3.5m for Swiss data on tax dodgers
Iran says ready to send enriched uranium abroad
|
Obama to highlight jobs, small business lending
Militants pledge to float more bombs toward Israel
Yemen rebels say open to Saudi prisoner swap
|
Anger as pope condemns Britain's gay-friendly laws
Online gamers set for consolidation wave in 2010
Concorde trial seeks cause of deadly crash
Concorde trial starts in France 10 years after crash
|
Taliban influence growing, US military chief warns
Mexico Senate wants answers about student massacre
|
Clare Short slams Blair argument for Iraq war
Bosnian police raid radical Muslim stronghold
|
Polish PM sees euro convergence plan approved Wednesday
|
Haiti aid operation still has way to go, U.N. says
|
Iraq's Basra to ban beggars to prevent attacks
Hamas leader says Israel prisoner swap at impasse
|
Iran to execute nine protesters 'soon'
US senator asks companies about China rights practices
Nokia, SAP, G&D start anti-counterfeiting joint venture
Obama to meet Dalai Lama despite China warnings
Amazon loss on e-book pricing could fuel trend
|
US warns Japan child custody laws could harm ties
Thai coalition to defy PM in push for constitutional change
Law barring lies about military medals faces test
S.Korea says it won't reward N.Korea for summit
China police boss in dock over mob links
Federal agent says he may have erred in Ohio sting
Feng shui master loses bid for ex-lover's fortune
Motor City freeze: Detroit home encased in ice
Pakistani Taliban: No need to prove leader alive
US militant suspects complain of torture in Pakistan
Punxsutawney Phil's text: Better late than never
U.S. missile strike kills 10 militants in Pakistan
Ford US auto sales jump 24 percent in January
Myanmar may free Suu Kyi during polls: Thailand
Salazar discusses wind farm with Mass. tribes
Top uniformed officer: Gay ban should be lifted
DC Metro police hold anti-terror drill
'Andy Griffith' producer Aaron Ruben dies at 95
Only living American WWI vet turns 109 in W.Va.
China cancels 80% of Iraq debt
Softbank profit soars, buys stake in Ustream
Toyota says global expansion not to blame for recall
Oscar odds and ends and facts and figures
The top 10 singles and albums on iTunes
'The White Ribbon' top contender for foreign Oscar
Former `Boston Legal' actor dies in US crash
'Avatar', 'The Hurt Locker' top Oscar nominations
Review: Nneka delivers passionate CD on society
Lifting gay ban is 'right thing to do': US military chief
Rio residents head to beach at night to escape heat
Ceausescu's son seeks ban on play on ex-Romanian dictator
One in three Taiwanese women want new husbands: poll
Iran says ready to send uranium abroad as UN wants
Number of web addicts in China soars: survey
China warns against Obama-Dalai Lama meeting
|
Content is 'electronic emperor' says Murdoch
Israel must "roll back" and end occupation
Internet Explorer a champ but Chrome a contender
Iran test-fires satellite carrier: report
|
Apple iPad to ignite tablet computer market: ABI
Content is 'emperor of all things electronic': Murdoch
Low serotonin linked to infants' sudden cot death: study
Google tailoring tablet computer software
Bomb kills four foreigners in Pakistan
|
Microsoft's Bing will make money: executive
Biden: Iran leaders sow seeds of own destruction
Iran makes new nuclear offer, U.S. ready to listen
|
Next threat to Amazon's $9.99 books? Rupert Murdoch
Lancet formally retracts 1998 paper linking vaccine and autism
Iran: US missile system to sow Gulf division
Israel launches air strikes in Gaza
|
Study links excessive internet use to depression
Families blame Mexico's Calderon over massacre
|
Google attacks 'wake-up call'
North Koreans starving after currency move: reports
|
Comments getting out of hand, Engadget turns them off
7 injured in blast in northern Australia
Sodomy trial of Malaysia's Anwar set to start
Cyberthieves are hiring, using online ads
|
Christmas bomb suspect "cooperating" with U.S
New Zealand virgin auctions herself for tuition
Nearly a ton of pot seized near U.S.-Mexico border
SWAT team responds to cap gun at Wash. school
Thailand braces for fresh political instability
Next threat to Amazon's $9.99 books? Rupert Murdoch
|
Lifting gay ban 'right thing to do': US military chief
Study links excessive Internet use to depression
|
Police to probe Hong Kong feng shui master's fake will
American convicted of sex abuse
Australia relaxes travel ban for Fijian minister
CO girl killed when school bus collides with car
Report: Top NKorean official fired over inflation
Malaysia's Anwar faces sodomy trial
Pro-Beijing party to boycott Hong Kong elections
Trial begins for Pa. woman who pierced kittens
Texas couple guilty of enslaving Nigerian widow
Sex offender convicted in Wis. triple homicide
Microsoft's Bing will make money: executive
|
Oil, trucking industries sue Calif. over fuel rule
Recovering Asia looks beyond Fed to China
Vietnam bank executive held over bribes: reports
Fitch warns China banks face big 'bubble risk'
China Q1 lending to halve in crackdown on loans: report
Report: Top NKorean official fired over inflation
US chides Toyota over massive recall
Hyundai sales soar in US amid Toyota recall
PAKISTAN
Apple's Wozniak: Toyota may have software trouble
More questions as 'Lost' begins its last season
North Koreans starving after currency move-reports
John Mayer puts on free concert for SC fans
US-ENTERTAINMENT Summary
Brits celebrate Oscar nominations
Songwriter Brooks makes $1.25M bail in NY sex case
Exes, couples among Oscar nominees
Oscar snubs "Avatar's" motion-capture actors
Oscar snubs Avatar's motion-capture actors
|
Correction: Miss America story
Exes, couples among Oscar nominees
|
8.1 mln pounds for Picasso work not seen since 1967
Friends Sidibe, Mulligan among 12 Oscar first-timers
|
"Dear John" -- return to sender
White Ribbon tipped as early Oscar favorite
|
Film studios look to cash in on Oscar nominations
|
An Education set to benefit from Oscar nominations
|
Brits celebrate Oscar nominations
|
Michael Jackson doctor not due to surrender: lawyer
|
Bomb kills 20 in Iraqi Shi'ite city of Kerbala
Britain urges military co-operation with France: report
Cuba's Internet revolution edges forward, with limits
EU backs Greek debt efforts
'At least 17 dead, 116 wounded' in Iraq attack
US-TECH Summary
Iran hails successful satellite launch
Court ordered to rule again on Bashir genocide charge
|
Iraqi police: 20 killed in Karbala blast
Iran says launches satellite rocket
Hamas gives U.N. response to Gaza war crimes report
|
Iran sends rocket with animal menagerie into space
Housing Haiti's homeless sparks debate as rains loom
|
Afghan leader cancels meeting with top Muslim body
|
Bomb kills 20 in Iraqi Shi'ite city of Kerbala
|
Student denies charges as Iran protest trial resumes
|
Obama plan worries cities that rely on space jobs
Obama to meet governors at White House
Ex-POW in Iraq war recalls nightmares, depression
Chinese language tutor sought for US-born panda
Obama responds to ire over 2nd anti-Vegas remark
Sanctions stay until N.Korea resumes nuclear talks: US
Analysis: Signs point to shift on gays in military
China seeks language tutor for US-born panda
Hope returns after year of steep US dairy losses
AOL posts profit, but subscribers dwindle
|
Australian official urges balance in India reports
Comcast profit up on Internet, phone subscribers
|
Friend charged with hiding Fla. lotto winner death
Vote chief rejects Sri Lanka rigging charges
Space rock worth thousands stirs ownership debate
Creator of Australia's 'Skippy' dies
SPIN METER: Pols cool to public-financed campaigns
Reports: Top NKorean official fired over inflation
North Koreans starving after currency move
Conn. mom, triplets die after their births at home
Malaysia's Anwar pleads not guilty to sodomy
Philippine massacre victims seek relief from ASEAN
Taiwan's UMC posts $137mln profit
Cambodian PM names 3 likely listings on new bourse
Japan's Mitsubishi UFJ posts nine-month profit
Pakistani o/n rates, rupee flat; stocks up
India service sector major growth: survey
Honda profit soars as cost cuts offset lower sales
Asia plane orders could top trillion dollars
Two Koreas set to discuss tourism projects
Sharp posts $100 million profit on cost cuts
Sharp narrows losses but market remains bleak
Studio rolling out "Harry Potter," "Titans" in 3D
Murdoch says Fox, Conan have had "conversations"
Worst movies of all time led by Clooney's Batman
|
"Entourage" star zooms in on "Teenage Paparazzo"
Avatar, Hurt Locker square off at Oscars
|
Historic German studio celebrates record Oscar run
|
Model Katie Price marries again
|
Pakistan eunuchs face life full of struggles
Frontier Gandhi brings Pashtun peace icon to life
|
Jackie Collins begins "Girl" whirl
"An Education" set to benefit from Oscar nominations
Soldiers march to a different beat in Afghan war
Studio rolling out Harry Potter, Titans in 3D
|
Murdoch says Fox, Conan have had conversations
|
Greece at new risk of being pushed off euro
Bodies of missing Tenn. mom, Jo Ann Bain, and daughter found
Female Breasts Are Bigger Than Ever
AMD Trinity Accelerated Processing Units Now in Volume Production
The Avengers (2012 film), made the second biggest opening- and single-day gross of all-time
AMD to Start Production of piledriver
Ivy Bridge Quad-Core, Four-Thread Desktop CPUs
Islamists Protest Lady Gaga's Concert in Indonesia
Japan Successfully Broadcasts an 8K Signal Over the Air
ECB boosts loans to 1 trillion Euro to stop credit crunch
Egypt : Mohammed Morsi won with 52 percent
What do you call 100,000 Frenchmen with their hands up
AMD Launches AMD Embedded R-Series APU Platform
Fed Should not Ignore Emerging Market Crisis
Fed casts shadow over India, emerging markets
Why are Chinese tourists so rude? A few insights