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News Analysis – Afghan Offensive Is New War Model – NYTimes.com
“For all the fighting that lies ahead over the next several days, no one doubts that the American and Afghan troops swarming into the Taliban redoubt of Marja will ultimately clear it of insurgents.”
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NATO launches major offensive in Afghanistan – CNN.com
“NATO troops in Afghanistan launched their biggest offensive of the war early Saturday, attacking what they call the last Taliban stronghold in a war-scarred southern province.”
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As Afghan assault looms, many civilians haven’t fled | McClatchy
“As U.S.-led coalition troops prepare for a long-awaited offensive against the Taliban in southern Afghanistan, few civilians have managed to escape the town at the center of the operation, raising the risk of civilian casualties that could undermine the Obama administration’s military strategy for the country. “
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The U.S.-led force said Tuesday that fewer than 200 families — around 1,200 people — had left the town of Marjah and the surrounding area, which have a population of about 80,000.
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t r u t h o u t | US, Afghan forces begin assault in Helmand Province
“US forces opened a major offensive in southern Afghanistan early Saturday, sending thousands of US Marines and Afghan and British soldiers against a Taliban stronghold in Helmand province. “
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The operation will be a critical test of the Obama administration’s new strategy, which is based on a “surge” of military and civilian personnel deployed to take and hold population centers, while driving the insurgents to the countryside.
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Despite a last-minute exodus, most of the 80,000 people in Marjah and the surrounding villages are still in their homes, raising the risk of civilian casualties that would undermine the administration’s strategy in Afghanistan.
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Around 15,000 coalition and Afghan troops are taking part in the offensive, called Operation Mushtarak (“together,” in the Dari language). US Marines are targeting Marjah, and British forces the nearby villages of Nad Ali district. Afghan troops will play a prominent role, both to avoid the appearance of an invasion by foreigners and to show the world that Afghan security forces are capable of mounting such operations.
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t r u t h o u t | US Poised to Commit War Crimes in Marjah
“The United States and NATO are poised to launch a major assault in the Marjah District in southern Afghanistan. Tens of thousands of Afghan civilians are in imminent peril.”
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Few civilians have managed to escape the Afghan town of Marjah ahead of a planned US/NATO assault, raising the risk of civilian casualties, McClatchy News reported.
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Under the laws of war, the US and NATO – who have told civilians not to flee – bear an extra responsibility to control their fire and avoid tactics that endanger civilians, Human Rights Watch noted. “I suspect that they believe they have the ability to generally distinguish between combatants and civilians,” said Brad Adams of Human Rights Watch.
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A report in The Wall Street Journal cast fresh doubt on the ability – and even on the interest – of US forces to distinguish combatants from civilians. “Across southern Afghanistan, including the Marjah district where coalition forces are massing for a large offensive, the line between peaceful villager and enemy fighter is often blurred,” the Journal says.
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Barclays to reignite bonus row with £2.3bn payout to investment bankers | Business | guardian.co.uk
“Barclays could reignite a row over bankers’ bonuses next week when it reports record profits of more than £11bn and reveals bonuses of at least £2.3bn or more to its 23,000 investment bankers.”
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Osama Bin Laden is dead – 12160.org
“Conservative commentator, former Marine Colonel Bob Pappas has been saying for years that bin Laden died at Tora Bora and that Senator Kerry’s claim that bin Laden escaped with Bush help was a lie. Now we know that Pappas was correct.”
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Is Islam Really Stuck in the 12th Century on Women’s Rights? | Reproductive Justice | AlterNet
“Apparently, they’re a couple of decades behind the “liberal” West, and not so stuck after all. “
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Once More to Gaza : Muslim Media Network
“This spring a flotilla of six to ten boats will again sail to Gaza. Of these, five have been funded by IHH from Turkey, and a third, a cargo ship, has been funded by donations from the people of Malaysia.”
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The ships will carry reconstruction material essential to the rebuilding of Gaza yet forbidden to them by the Israelis.
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Three leaders and founders of the Free Gaza Movement were recently honored by the San Jose Peace and Justice Center. Greta Berlin, Paul Larudee and Kathy Sheets were each given a Gertrude Welch Peace and Justice Award.
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Posted from Diigo. The rest of my favorite links are here.
