The number of civilians killed in the Afghan conflict has risen for the fifth year in a row, according to the annual report of the UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan, which documents 3,021 civilian deaths in 2011 compared with 2,790 in 2010.
In a Google-sponsored “video chat,” Obama gave the first public acknowledgment of the use of US drones in Pakistan—and said that drone strikes “enhance” US respect for the sovereignty of the target countries. (Insert Orwell reference here.)
The BBC says it has seen a “secret NATO report” that finds the Taliban continue to be heavily backed by Pakistan, are confident they can win the Afghan war, and are gaining popular support at the expense of the Kabul government.
A new survey by the UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) indicates that the value of opium in Afghanistan soared by 133% in 2011 over the previous year, netting farmers $1.4 billion. Yields increased by 61%, from 3,600 to 5,800 tons.
An investigative commission in Afghanistan issued a statement alleging the abuse of detainees held by the US military at prisons in the country. The commission called for the transfer of all prisoners held by the US to Afghan custody.
Three-year old Shakira, disfigured by a drone strike on her Pakistani village, has just arrived in Houston for surgery. Yet, unlike the woman whose nose was cut off by the Taliban, she will not be exploited for propaganda, at least.
The Pakistan-based Foundation for Fundamental Rights, representing the victims of drone attacks, is seeking an international warrant for the arrest of CIA station chief Jonathan Banks who has fled the country to avoid prosecution.
Pakistani officials said NATO aircraft killed at least 25 troops in strikes against two military posts on the Afghan border, and responded by closing the strategically important Khyber Pass supply route to Afghanistan.
BBC quotes several Taliban commanders boasting of the aid they receive from Pakistan’s ISI. Afghan President Karzai reacts by telling Pakistani TV: “God forbid, if ever there is a war between Pakistan and America, Afghanistan will stand by Pakistan.”
The Afghan Ministry of Interior Affair and the National Security Directorate denied allegations of widespread torture of prisoners made earlier this week in a report by the UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan.
Hundreds of Afghans marched through Kabul on the eve of the 10-year anniversary of the US military campaign in their country, to condemn the United States forces as occupiers and demand the immediate withdrawal of all foreign troops.
Warlords are using threats to pressure municipal officials to fraudulently prepare ownership documents for the lands that they have already grabbed in Afghanistan’s northern Baghlan province, the mayor of Pul-i-Khumri protested.
