U.S. Marines respond to enemy gunfire last month in Afghanistan's Helmand province. The Marines are part of an operation aimed at disrupting Taliban supply routes. By Joe Raedle, Getty ImagesBritain's Soul-Searching Over Its Role in Afghanistan -- Time Magazine
When British forces entered Afghanistan in the autumn of 2001 in support of the U.S.'s fight against international terrorism, the aims of the deployment seemed clear and the effort justifiable. But as the conflict against the Taliban rumbles toward its ninth brutal year, America's most willing partner is asking the toughest of questions: How does this war end?
On Sunday, an influential panel of British politicians released a critical report on British involvement in Afghanistan, concluding that the effort to win the war has been hampered by unrealistic planning, a lack of coordination between the military and diplomatic corps and the absence of a clearly defined mission. The report says Britain's goal of fighting terrorists has been diluted by the competing aims of counterinsurgency, counternarcotics, protection of human rights and state-building.
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More News On Afghanistan
Rockets strike Kabul in rare pre-election attack -- Yahoo News/AP
Afghan attacks kill five as vote nears: govt -- Yahoo News/AFP
Bomb in Afghanistan Kills at Least 10 -- New York Times
Attack on police rocks busy Afghan street, 11 dead -- AP
Rockets Hit Kabul District Near American Embassy -- New York Times
Rocket attack on Afghan capital -- BBC
Taliban Rockets Hit Afghan Capital -- Wall Street Journal
FACTBOX-Security developments in Afghanistan -- Reuters
FACTBOX-Security developments in Afghanistan, Aug 3 -- Reuters
Taliban Makes Blitz Comeback Near Kunduz -- Spiegel Online
IEDs the frontline in war with insurgents in Afghanistan -- Canadian Press
German Armed Forces Intensify Fighting Against Taliban -- Spiegel Online
U.K. 'Combat ban' for Afghanistan helicopters -- The Telegraph
Pre-election Operation Disables Enemy in Afghanistan -- U.S. Department of Defense
Afghan insurgents are 'weakened' -- BBC
Afghanistan attacks underscore insurgents' growing reach -- Christian Science Monitor
Marines fighting Taliban strive to win Afghan locals' trust -- USA Today
U.K. Armed Forces need 'deep change' to beat terrorism -- Times Online
Afghanistan ride-a-long with Gen. Stanley McChrystal -- L.A. Times
New NATO chief chairs 1st meeting on Afghanistan -- AP
New Nato head calls for 'international effort' in Afghanistan -- The Telegraph
We're in Afghanistan to topple al-Qaeda, says Armed Forces Minister -- Times Online
Fears of Fraud Cast Pall Over Afghan Election -- New York Times
Big crowds good sign for Karzai in re-election bid -- AP
Afghan Election Poses Policy Dilemmas for US -- Voice of America
Unrest to follow Afghan vote? -- UPI
A New Man for Nato -- Times Online opinion
Britain’s futile war in Afghanistan -- Financial Times opinion
Obama may need a troop surge for Afghanistan -- San Francisco Chronicle editorial
Kinder, gentler jihad -- Washington Times editorial
US military deaths in Afghanistan region at 686 -- Forbes/AP