Afghanistan War News Updates -- February 26, 2013

U.S. Defends Afghan Role After Exit Order -- Wall Street Journal

Some in Wardak Cheer Karzai Move; Coalition Calls Abuse Allegations Untrue, Says Special Forces Are Vital Against Taliban

MAIDAN SHAHR, Afghanistan—When Afghan President Hamid Karzai on Sunday ordered U.S. Special Operations Forces to withdraw from Wardak—one of the country's most dangerous provinces—the decision caught U.S. and coalition officials by surprise.

But some Wardak residents, upset with reports of abuses by the foreigners and their local allies, said it was a welcome, if long overdue, move.

"We were so happy," said Shafiqullah, a resident of the village of Karmalayee Kala. "People were calling to tell each other the good news."

Read more ....

More News On Afghanistan

ISAF Joint Command Operational Update, February 26 -- ISAF

Nato admits 'error' in claim of fall in Taliban attacks -- BBC
US-led coalition’s report of drop in Taliban attacks wrong; figures show no drop -- AP
Report on decline in Taliban attacks wrong: US -- Global Post/AFP
Taliban Not Actually Losing War in Afghanistan -- Front Page Magazine
NATO Video Shows Harsh Fighting in Wardak Province -- US News and World Report

Talk of Inquiry, but Not Much Is Sure After Afghan Ban on U.S. Troops -- New York Times
Insight: Afghan move against U.S. special forces tied to abuse allegations -- Reuters
NATO: No evidence for Afghan claim of possible torture, murder by U.S. forces -- CNN
The Pentagon Remains Deadly Silent About Karzai Booting US Special Forces From Afghanistan -- Business Insider
Amid torture allegations, Karzai orders U.S. to leave Afghan province -- CBS/AP
Joint Afghan-NATO commission to investigate torture, killing allegations -- Foreign Policy
Complaints on U.S.-led Afghan troops to be checked, Kerry says -- Reuters
Afghans hold anti-U.S. rally following abuse claims -- Reuters

Hamid Karzai is mad as heck and he isn't going to take it anymore -- Dan Murphy, Christian Science Monitor
Afghanistan: The Great Curse -- Strategy Page
Specially forced out -- The Economist
Afghanistan’s partition might be unpreventable -- Brahma Chellaney, Japan Times
Afghanistan can be ‘second Kashmir’ after US forces pull out: Dalrymple -- Peerzada Salman, DAWN