Afghanistan War News Updates -- January 15, 2013

U.S. troops wait for a UH-60 Black Hawk medevac helicopter to land before moving a simulated casualty during medical evacuation training on Forward Operating Base Farah, Afghanistan, Jan. 9, 2013. The troops are assigned to Provincial Reconstruction Team Farah. U.S. Navy photo by Chief Petty Officer Josh Ives

Afghans Fear A Civil War 
If All U.S. Troops Depart -- Washington Times

Afghan lawmakers are alarmed that the White House will consider an option to remove all U.S. troops from their country by the end of next year, warning that such a decision would pave the way for a Taliban takeover.

“If all U.S. troops leave, it will be terrible news for Afghanistan,” said Naeem Lalai Hamidzai, a lawmaker from Kandahar province. “Civil war will erupt, and the Taliban will once again control Afghanistan.”

In addition, Mr. Hamidzai and some of his colleagues serving in parliament’s committee on domestic security said in telephone interviews that they doubt Afghan soldiers and police officers will be able to handle their country’s security responsibilities by this spring, as touted by President Obama.


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More News On Afghanistan

ISAF Joint Command operational update, Jan 15 -- ISAF
ISAF Joint Command operational update -- Dvids
Afghan conflicts leave 11 dead, 21 militants detained -- Global Times/Xinhua

Hamid Karzai: Afghans will decide on scale of US post-2014 presence -- The Guardian
Karzai tells Afghans that nation will be secure when U.S. leaves -- L.A. Times
Karzai: Afghanistan will be 'more secure' following US troop withdrawal -- Reuters
Karzai says immunity for US troops is up to Afghan elders -- Stars and Stripes
Afghan elders to decide on immunity for U.S. forces -- CNN
Afghan Elders to Decide About US Troop Immunity -- Voice of America
Back in Afghanistan, Karzai shifts tone on US troop immunity -- Christian Science Monitor

Afghan defense minister hopes US will not abandon Afghanistan after 2014 -- Washington Post/AP
NATO Official Presents Post-Afghanistan Priorities -- US Department of Defense
Afghans want withdrawal of village police trainers -- Washington Post
US to support Afghan village operations: envoy -- AFP
Senate GOP leader optimistic about Afghanistan -- AP
Senate Republican leader wants 10,000 troops in Afghanistan -- Reuters
McConnell Says 10,000 Troops Should Stay in Afghanistan -- Bloomberg
Biologist tours at bases in Afghanistan making troops, wildlife safer -- Stars and Stripes

Afghanistan in 2015: A 'light footprint' strategy could be the best U.S. option after Western forces leave. -- L.A. Times editorial
The miscalculation of Hamid Karzai -- Bernard Smith, Al Jazeera
Turning off the lights in Afghanistan -- Lucky Gold, CNN
The administration hints at mission shrink in Afghanistan -- Washington Post editorial
EXCLUSIVE: Afganistan's President Karzai speaks to Christiane Amanpour for today's edition of Amanpour -- CNN
Afghanistan War to End By 2014: But the Country May Not Be Ready to Stand Alone -- Andrew Lubin, Policymic
Analysis: What Obama's missing in Afghanistan -- Michael Hirsh, GovExec/National Journal