On AlterNet: afghanistan

Stories, blog posts, and videos tagged as "afghanistan"

Don't Call It a "Defense" Budget

Norman Solomon, AlterNet. February 2, 2010.

The new budget from the White House will push U.S. military spending well above $2 billion a day. Foreclosing the future of our country should not be confused with defending it.

Disturbing Report Uncovers Torture, Indiscriminate Killing of Afghan Civilians Under Obama

Mohammed A. Salih, IPS News. February 1, 2010.

An investigative report by Anand Gopal paints a gruesome picture of surprise night raids by U.S. forces, as well as the killing and random detention of civilians.

Under Obama in Afghanistan, U.S. Conducts Night Raids, Runs Hidden Detention Centers

Anand Gopal, Tomdispatch.com. January 28, 2010.

Violent night raids and killings in Afghanistan have become official U.S. policy under Obama.

Eikenberry on Afghan government: "they assume we covet their territory for a never-ending 'War on Terror'"

Jim White, Firedoglake January 26, 2010.


Watch General Petraeus Try to Move the Goalposts on the Afghanistan War

Derrick Crowe, AlterNet: Video. January 25, 2010.

In West Point speech, President Obama was crystal clear: American troops would begin to withdraw from Afghanistan in July 2011. General Petraeus is trying to move the goalposts.

Robots Will Soon Do All Our Killing for Us

Nick Turse, Tomdispatch.com. January 25, 2010.

In the years ahead, unmanned machines will increasingly fight our wars.

Afghan Government Corruption Thrives While the People Starve

Derrick Crowe, AlterNet: Video. January 20, 2010.

In the shadow of the Afghanistan war, corrupt officials live in opulent homes while poor people sell their children for food.

Women Are Setting Themselves On Fire In Afghanistan

Jeffrey S. Kaye, TruthOut.org. January 19, 2010.

According to a new report, "self-immolation is being used by increasing numbers of Afghan women to escape their dire circumstances."

Shocking Report: U.S. Military Weapons Inscribed With Secret 'Jesus' Bible Codes

Staff, AlterNet AlterNet: Belief. January 18, 2010.

Pentagon supplier says it has 'always' added New Testament references

Taliban Suicide Bombers Strike Kabul

Derrick Crowe, AlterNet: Video. January 18, 2010.

A wave of suicide bombers and gunmen attacked Kabul on Monday, January 18, 2010.

Civilian Casualties Prove That Military Policies Are Failing in Afghanistan

Derrick Crowe, AlterNet: Video. January 18, 2010.

The U.S. strategy in Afghanistan is failing if measured by the standards proposed by General Stanley McChrystal during his confirmation hearings in June 2009.

Our "War" With Al Qaeda Is Getting Us Nowhere

Thomas L. Friedman, The New York Times. January 18, 2010.

Our leaders' agenda can be derailed at any moment by a jihadist death cult using exploding underpants. We should be focusing on how to build our nation.

Xe Services (Blackwater) Killers' Story Doesn't Add Up

Joshua Holland, AlterNet AlterNet: World. January 14, 2010.

On it's face, it's kind of ridiculous.

Exporting Corruption: 3/4 of Afghan Corruption Cases Involve Westerners

Derrick Crowe, AlterNet: Video. January 13, 2010.

The Afghanistan war is a breeding ground for corruption, and it’s not just the corrupt Afghan government that’s feeding at the trough.

Eight Afghans Killed By Foreign Forces as Koran Desecration Protest Turns Violent

Derrick Crowe, AlterNet: Video. January 13, 2010.

Afghan protesters were killed today when a tense protest erupted in response to rumors that foreign forces desecrated a copy of the Koran.

President Obama to Request Another $33 Billion for Unpopular Wars

Derrick Crowe, AlterNet: Video. January 13, 2010.

The Associated Press reports that President Obama "plans to ask Congress for an additional $33 billion to fight unpopular wars in Afghanistan and Iraq.

Despite McChrystal Claims, Tide Not Turning in Afghanistan

Derrick Crowe, AlterNet: Video. January 12, 2010.

Gen. Stanley McChrystal says the tide is turning in Afghanistan. He's wrong.

Two Blackwater Guards Arrested by FBI on Murder Charges

Jeremy Scahill, Rebel Reports AlterNet: World. January 11, 2010.

They are charged with killing two Afghan civilians in May 2009.

Mercenaries, Robot Planes and the CIA Produce Lethal Mix for Secret Afghan War

Tom Engelhardt, Nick Turse, Tomdispatch.com. January 11, 2010.

In Afghanistan, a militarized mix of CIA operatives and ex-military mercenaries as well as native recruits and robot aircraft is fighting a war in the shadows.

Obama's Election Struck a Huge Blow Against Racism, But He's Kept the US War Machine "Set on Kill"

Amy Goodman, Anjali Kamat, Democracy Now!. January 9, 2010.

Author: "Obama seems to have killed more civilians during his first year than Bush did in his first year."

The American Desire to Be Loved as Well as Feared Has Long Misled the CIA

The American Desire to Be Loved as Well as Feared Has Long Misled the CIA

Robert Fisk, Independent UK. January 8, 2010.

The mystery is how a Jordanian 'mole' could be of use in Afghanistan

How the Military Hides Dissent in the Ranks

Nan Levinson, AlterNet. January 7, 2010.

The military's murky system keeps no accurate count of conscientious objectors, and likely hides the true extent of disgruntled service-members.

How CIA Was Fatally Duped by Jordanian Double Agent

How CIA Was Fatally Duped by Jordanian Double Agent

David Usborne, Independent UK. January 6, 2010.

The doctor-turned-bomber who was recruited by Americans to hunt down Bin Laden's right-hand man was in fact working for al-Qa'ida.

2020: China Rises, the U.S. Declines and the Planet Strikes Back

2020: China Rises, the U.S. Declines and the Planet Strikes Back

Michael T. Klare, Tom Engelhardt, Tomdispatch.com. January 6, 2010.

Much will change in 10 years. China will rise, the global South will grow in importance, the U.S. will decline. These phenomena will be eclipsed by devastating planetary changes.

Why Are We So Blind to the True Horrors of War?

Why Are We So Blind to the True Horrors of War?

Chris Hedges, Truthdig. January 5, 2010.

If we really saw what war does to young minds and bodies, it would be harder to embrace the myths propagated by our warmongering government.