InfoAnda - Analysis: Shielding Afghan civilians will be key

Pakistanis angry over detentions in Times Sq. case
Monday, May 24, 2010
ISLAMABAD – Relatives of three men detained by Pakistan for alleged links to the suspect in the attempted Times Square bombing say the men are innocent.
They

Taiwan denies boycotting Australian film festival
Thursday, August 6, 2009

AFP - Thursday, August 6TAIPEI (AFP) - - Taiwan's Beijing-friendly government on Wednesday denied boycotting an Australian film festival amid a row over the e

Merkel's support dips, regional ally resigns International
Thursday, September 3, 2009

By Sarah Marsh and Noah Barkin

BERLIN (Reuters) - Chancellor Angela Merkel suffered a double blow on Thursday as a senior party ally in east German

Minister seeks closure of anti-Berlusconi websites
Wednesday, December 16, 2009
ROME (AFP) - – The Italian government moved Tuesday to close down Internet sites encouraging further violence against Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi, who

Asian markets mixed after Wall Street rally
Wednesday, March 18, 2009

By ELAINE KURTENBACH,AP Business Writer AP - Wednesday, March 18SHANGHAI - Asia's stock market rally seemed to be running out of steam Wednesday, despite an

Pakistani 10-year PIB cut-off yield at 12.50 pct | 3 September 2009
Google, Sony, Intel join on Web television project | 21 May 2010
Text of divorce statements from SC first lady, gov | 12 December 2009

Pakistani stocks fall 2.67 pct on uncertainty | 25 May 2010

">Forum Views () ">Forum Replies ()

Read more with google mobile : Analysis: Shielding Afghan civilians will be key

Yahoo! My Yahoo! Mail Yahoo! Search Search: Sign InNew User? Sign Up News Home - Help Navigation Primary Navigation Home Singapore Asia Pacific World Business Entertainment Sports Technology Top Stories Most Popular Secondary Navigation Africa Europe Latin America Middle East North America Search Search: Analysis: Shielding Afghan civilians will be key By ROBERT BURNS,AP National Security Writer AP - Saturday, June 13 WASHINGTON - The big goals of the new American general taking charge of the war in Afghanistan start with fixing a problem that bedeviled the man he is replacing: the repeated, inadvertent killing of civilians. ADVERTISEMENT Stanley McChrystal, the four-star Army general picked to provide the fresh thinking that Pentagon chief Robert Gates says is needed to win the war, will have at least one important new tool at his disposal _ some 21,000 additional U.S. ground troops. The expanded presence of American forces may reduce the need for deadly airstrikes that can be effective in smashing Taliban fighters but all too frequently kill or maim civilians. McChrystal is due in the capital, Kabul, this weekend, replacing Gen. David McKiernan, whom Gates fired. McChrystal stopped at NATO headquarters in Brussels on Friday to join Gates in consulting with allied defense ministers about NATO's role in Afghanistan. Gates emphasized the imperative of avoiding civilian casualties, calling the deaths "one of our greatest strategic vulnerabilities." In his few public comments, McChrystal also has highlighted the problem. McChrystal says he intends to run a classic counterinsurgency campaign. That means another of his key objectives will be to create distance between local Afghans and the hardcore Taliban fighters in order to win local support and gain better intelligence. And he will aim to make better use of nonmilitary tools such as U.S. and other foreign civilian resources to improve basic government services. Robert Scales, a retired Army two-star general who has advised U.S. commanders in Afghanistan, said in an interview Friday that he believes McChrystal will focus mainly on shifting emphasis from killing Taliban and al-Qaida fighters to protecting Afghans from those fighters _ and from unintended U.S. bombings. "The metric has changed. The metric is no longer how much territory in Afghanistan do we control, but how effective are we in securing the people," Scales said. "Not how many bad guys do we kill or how many American casualties do we suffer, but how few Afghans are killed _ by both the bad guys and by us." Just how McChrystal refocuses the military's mission may become more apparent when he completes the two-month assessment that Gates asked him to undertake upon his arrival in Kabul. With that assessment, McChrystal will then be expected to spell out how he intends to run the war. Some broad elements are already clear. Among them: _A revamped U.S.-led command structure. Anthony Cordesman, a military analyst at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, believes it will give McChrystal additional authority and more ability to implement the strategy that President Barack Obama announced in late March. For the first time, the U.S. commander will have a three-star American deputy to take more of the day-to-day burden. The three-star is Lt. Gen. David Rodriguez, who has been serving as Gates' top military assistant. _More use of civilian experts, including U.S. agricultural specialists, to develop viable alternatives to the illicit poppy-growing business that Washington and its allies say is helping finance the Taliban resistance. Obama promised a "civilian surge" to help the Afghan government build democratic foundations. And he said the U.S. would seek a "new compact" with the government to crack down on corruption. _ A "dream team" of U.S. military officers steeped in counterinsurgency and Afghanistan experience and expertise. In a reflection of the heightened priority that the Obama administration is giving Afghanistan, McChrystal was told he could pick any top U.S. assistants he wanted to help him in Kabul. Among them: Navy Rear Adm. Greg Smith, a seasoned public affairs specialist who will oversee a strengthened effort to communicate the allies' objectives and activities and to counter Taliban messages. _An acceleration of the long, slow process of developing Afghan army and police forces. This will be one of the keys to bolstering the legitimacy of the central government and eventually enabling foreign forces to leave. The current goal of creating 134,000 Afghan forces may be doubled in coming years. McChrystal also faces many unknowns, including the outcome of the Afghans' national election in August and the impact of the Pakistani army's intensified offensive against Taliban insurgency on their side of the border. McChrystal will be part of an overhauled U.S. leadership team. It includes Karl Eikenberry, who retired from the Army as a three-star general in order to become U.S. ambassador to Kabul. He arrived last month. Another new face is Navy Adm. James Stavridis, who was confirmed this week by the Senate as the new NATO commander in Europe. About half the coalition troops in Afghanistan are NATO soldiers. Stavridis will play a role in trying to persuade European government to provide more resources there. Kimberly Kagan, president of the Institute for the Study of War, said McChrystal's arrival in Kabul is unlikely to result in immediate, measurable changes in how the coalition goes about fighting the war. She expects him to take several months to analyze conditions and build a plan for improving operations. Although McChrystal is best known for his experience in leading special operations forces like Navy SEALs and Army Green Berets, that does not necessarily mean he will find a bigger or different role for those elite, shadowy forces in Afghanistan. On the other hand, his background makes him well-suited to ensuring that they are put to optimal use. ___ EDITOR'S NOTE _ Robert Burns has covered national security and military affairs for The Associated Press since 1990. Email Story IM Story Printable View Blog This Sign in to recommend this article » 0 users recommend Related Articles: World Soweto's miracle: From strife to World Cup glowAP - 1 hour 42 minutes ago Health care debate could derail over gov't planAP - 1 hour 46 minutes ago Thirteen killed as Afghan insurgency at record highAFP - 1 hour 56 minutes ago Sotomayor impresses in interviews, senators sayAP - 2 hours 1 minute ago UK-World SummaryReuters - 2 hours 4 minutes ago Most Popular – World Viewed Dumped mattress lands cash in trash in Israel Obama signs note for girl who played hooky to see him Hell of Afghanistan brought home to British troops Luanda is world's most expensive expat city: survey Ramsay eats humble pie after mum scolds him View Complete List » Search: Home Singapore Asia Pacific World Business Entertainment Sports Technology Top Stories Most Popular Copyright © 2009 Yahoo! Southeast Asia Pte Ltd. (Co. Reg. No. 199700735D). All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy - Terms of Service - Community - Intellectual Property Rights Policy - Help

Other News on Saturday, 13 June 2009
Iranians flock to vote in tight election
Britain's Thatcher breaks arm in new health scare
Kenya gets undersea broadband fibre optic cable
U.N. widens sanctions on North Korea; China joins in | International |
US Congress passes historic curbs on tobacco industry
US tech group Rambus, EU close in on anti-trust settlement
Malawi court allows Madonna to adopt second child
Fears of fallout as Iraq Sunni leader assassinated
No systematic violence in Zimbabwe: Tsvangirai | International |
Afghan civilian casualties must be cut: US, NATO
Ethiopian troops cross deeper into Somalia: residents | International |
UN climate chief confident of global warming pact
U.N. widens sanctions on North Korea
With digital transition, more focus on smaller TVs | Technology |
Australia tries tough love to heal Aboriginal woes
House panel would deny benefits to detainees
IRS: cell phone tax notice to save firms money | Technology |
Fallen Pa. trooper remembered as hero, joker
U.N. council expands sanctions against North Korea
Moles, not magic, make worm 'grunting' work
Plane hitch delays Thai PM's return from Cambodia
Juror takes 5th in probe of fashion designer trial
Japanese minister steps down in setback for PM
Even before opening, cutbacks at science museum
Indonesian air force helicopter crash kills 4
John Brown's fearsome pikes still hold fascination
At least 39 militants killed in Pakistan's Swat
Fake German Rockefeller guilty of kidnapping in U.S.
WHO official praises China's swine flu response
4-5 years for 'Rockefeller' in daughter kidnapping
S.Korea sends more troops to N.Korea border
Outgoing GM dealerships by state
Anti-Taliban cleric killed in Pakistani blast
US student says Italian police extracted false statements
Madame Tussauds ready for Hollywood close-up
Hollywood, Bollywood meet Bradford: "City of Film"
English city of Bradford named UN City of Film
Malaysia Airlines slides into the red in first quarter
Music Review: New Jonas Bros disc is legit
World banks must act against toxic assets: China
S.Korea PM urges tighter cross-border regulation
Madame Tussauds ready for Hollywood close-up | Entertainment |
Conan loses viewers after Tonight Show debut | Entertainment |
With digital transition, more focus on smaller TVs | Entertainment |
Hollywood, Bollywood meet Bradford: City of Film | Entertainment |
Keyboardist, producer Beckett dies in Tennessee | Entertainment |
Ashanti eases on down the road in 'The Wiz'
U.S. porn industry had 16 unpublicized HIV cases | Entertainment |
Madame Tussauds ready for Hollywood close-up
EA creates a racket (and a golf club) on the Wii
Kuwaiti director stages an Arabic Richard III | Entertainment |
Hollywood, Bollywood meet Bradford: "City of Film"
Kuwaiti director stages an Arabic Richard III
Friday marks final signoff for analog TV service
Malawi court allows Madonna to adopt second child
Chanel film ad breaks Hong Kong smoking laws: campaigner
Authorities block Chinese gay pride events: organisers
Music Review: Morello, Riley team up for politics
Suicide attack kills eight Afghans: official
French black box search focuses on 40-mile radius
US pulls plug on analog TV
Ahmadinejad scores big win in Iran vote | International |
Ahmadinejad set for crushing win in disputed Iran vote
EU wants to 'deepen' dialogue with Cuba
Shuttle set for launch to space station
8Monkey Labs videogame recreates dark days in history
N.Korea threatens military action, to enrich uranium | International |
Rivals both claim victory in Iran's election
Cessna Aircraft to slash additional 1,300 jobs
Global PC makers vying for "Green" crown
Top Sunni lawmaker killed outside Baghdad mosque
Twitter To Launch New Feature To Eliminate Celebrity Imposter Accounts
Madonna wins second Malawi adoption on appeal
NKOTB Sue Company For Trying To Name Another Boy Band NKOTB
CIA adopting Web 2.0 tools despite resistance
British soldier among three dozen killed in Afghanistan
Miley Cyrus Wants Woman Behind Racial Discrimination Lawsuit Against Her To Pay Legal Fees
Simon & Schuster opens e-book shop at Scribd
Mousavi claims landslide victory in Iran vote
Court Grants Madonna's Appeal To Adopt A Malawian Girl
Twitter dabbling with verifying identities
Susan Boyle Still Not Confirmed To Join "Britain's Got Talent" Tour
Breakdown of Iranian electorate
Dissident neurosurgeon allowed to leave Cuba | International |
US calls for free press in Venezuela, Latin America
Madonna Wins Appeal For Mercy's Adoption
Second Autopsy Says David Carradine Did Not Commit Suicide
Cher's Daughter To Undergo Sex Change
Britney Spears Reaches 50-50 Custody Agreement With K-Fed
TV Actor Johnny Palermo Dies At Age 27
Global PC makers vying for Green crown | Technology |
Endeavour launch delayed due to hydrogen leak
Report says LAPD federal consent decree should end
North Korea says it will 'weaponize' its plutonium
AP NewsAlert
Dallas reaches settlement in 2004 gorilla attack
Japan to impose ban on exports to NKorea: reports
NASA scrubs Saturday morning space shuttle launch
UN chief hails NKorea sanctions amid US warning
AP NewsAlert
Final day of China gay pride kicks off in Shanghai
Obama envoy in Syria to push for Mideast peace
Myanmar high court sets date for Suu Kyi appeal
Man 'cooked' to death in Australian prison van
Administration speeds overseas detainee relocation
Vietnam Finance Academy staff gambling: report
Obama announces 73 mln dlrs in US aid to Zimbabwe
Feds ask court to reconsider CIA renditions suit
Call for halt to golf courses in Vietnam: report
Japanese Emperor to visit Canada in July: Harper
Second autopsy of Carradine suggests no suicide | Entertainment |
Thai car sales drop 26.2 pct in May
It's Sir Count Dracula for actor Christopher Lee | Entertainment |
China's Ping An to invest up to 22bn yuan in bank
Pakistan c.bank sells 10 bln rupees of T-bills
China Eastern confirms Shanghai Airlines merger
Paulina Rubio moves to City on new album | Entertainment |
Shaky recovery hopes dominate G8 finance talks
Phish, in first appearance, comes home to Bonnaroo
Japan incentives boost sales of green cars, TVs
Court records: Singer Usher files for divorce
Company alleges Chinese software has stolen code
Paulina Rubio moves to "City" on new album
Tata Indian Hotels profit plunges 96 pct
It's Sir Count Dracula for actor Christopher Lee
Bonnaroo festival gives stage to African acts
Former Miss Calif.: Gay comment cost me my crown
Second autopsy of Carradine suggests no suicide
TV vampires cloak Friday's Los Angeles Times cover
Susan Boyle back on stage after stint in London clinic
Sarah Palin: Letterman owes women an apology
Israeli officials: Iran vote shows growing threat
U.S. envoy talks Middle East peace with Syria's Assad | International |
U.N. seeks review of special forces in Afghanistan | International |
Pakistani warplanes strike Taliban's Waziristan redoubt | International |
U.S. envoy talks Middle East peace with Syria's Assad
Ethiopia denies its soldiers in central Somalia | International |
Forty-one to stand in Afghan presidential vote
Iraq Sunni leader killed at mosque, fears of fallout | International |
Ahmadinejad wins 63% of vote in most of Iran: official
New Moroccan party leads in local elections | International |
GOP slams Democrats' climate bill as an energy tax
Vietnamese arrests lawyer who defended activists
Thai swine flu cases double
Militants kill 5 Philippine marines in ambush
S.African expat denies $1.2 bln 'Ponzi' scheme
Taliban claim responsibility for slaying cleric
US space shuttle launch delayed over hydrogen leak
4 dead as insurgents attack in southern Thailand
GOP slams Democrats' climate bill as an energy tax
Six killed in Thai south as govt team arrives
Obama wants new cuts in federal health spending
Militants kill six troops on Philippine island
A look at North Korea's nuclear program
NKorea says it will 'weaponize' its plutonium
Obama pledges to quickly sign anti-smoking bill
US mil: American soldier killed by bomb in Iraq
Analysis: Shielding Afghan civilians will be key
'Slumdog' filmmakers say movie is Indian at heart
'Dark Knight' wins 8 Key Art Awards, best poster
E-Cigarette Controversy Arises Amidst New Legislation On Regulating Tobacco Industry
Two Climbers Fall To Death In Mount McKinley
Hydrogen Leak Grounds Space Shuttle Mission
Obama Axes Inspector General Of AmeriCorps Program
Boy, 9, Set On Fire By Teen Playmates
Facility To Catch Greenhouse Gases Get OK To Restart
Federal Registry Would Detect Faulty Hip, Knee Implants
German Conman Sentenced To 5 Years For Kidnapping Daughter
June 12, 2009: High Points In The U.S. Economy
Wall Street Ends Mixed, Dow Goes Positive For The Year
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

USD EUR - 1 year graph		BlogMeter 1.01