http://news.antiwar.com/2012/05/11/nato-pakistan-not-welcome-at-summit-unless-border-reopens/
That was the implication of comments from NATO Secretary-General Anders Fogh Rasmussen, who insisted that other non-NATO nations could attend the summit as a reward for helping with “important transit arrangements to the benefit of our operation.”
The attack is the 20th reported death of a NATO soldier as a result of an attack by uniformed Afghan soldiers. Some cases involved Taliban infiltrators, but many others were the results of arguments or discontent against occupation forces. The number of such incidents is unclear, however, as reports have shown that the Pentagon has under-reported the shootings.
Following repeated claims by US leaders that Yemen’s al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP) is the greatest threat on the planet,the US has dramatically escalated its drone strike campaign against Yemen,pounding southern towns under the control of Ansar al-Sharia several times a week. All this and the ground troops, nominally “trainers,” point to an ever increasing US military role in Yemen.
NATO: Pakistan ‘Not Welcome’ at Summit Unless Border Reopens
Conditions Chicago Invite on Border Crossing
by Jason Ditz, May 11, 2012
Officials have been presenting Pakistan as the key to the war on Afghanistan for a decade now, but when the Chicago summit on the war opens in 10 days Pakistan may find itself unwelcome and uninvited.
That was the implication of comments from NATO Secretary-General Anders Fogh Rasmussen, who insisted that other non-NATO nations could attend the summit as a reward for helping with “important transit arrangements to the benefit of our operation.”
Rasmussen went on to slam Pakistan for blocking transport routes, which it did in November in retaliation for a US attack on two border outposts, while suggesting that attendance at the talks was predicated on Pakistan’s cabinet rescinding the closure.
Pakistani Prime Minister Yousef Raza Gilani downplayed the row in an interview with Sky News today, insisting that Pakistan retains a good relationship with the US and that there are ongoing discussions related to the border closure. Pakistan’s cabinet is expected to meet next week on the issue, but parliament is demanding any reopening of the crossing come with a promise that the US stop launching drone strikes against targets inside Pakistan.
and....
http://news.antiwar.com/2012/05/11/afghan-soldier-kills-us-soldier-wounds-two-others/
Afghan Soldier Kills US Soldier, Wounds Two Others
Attacker From Marjah, Escaped After Shooting
by Jason Ditz, May 11, 2012
For the second time this week an Afghan soldier has opened fire on US troops. This attack saw an Afghan Army member attacking US troops in Kunar Province, killing one and wounding two others.
The attack is the 20th reported death of a NATO soldier as a result of an attack by uniformed Afghan soldiers. Some cases involved Taliban infiltrators, but many others were the results of arguments or discontent against occupation forces. The number of such incidents is unclear, however, as reports have shown that the Pentagon has under-reported the shootings.
Today’s attacker was named Mamoud, according to Afghan provincial officials, and was originally from Marjah, in the Helmand Province. Interestingly enough, Marjah was the site of the shooting earlier this week. After shooting the soldiers, he escaped.
Marjah was the centerpiece of NATO’s since-abandoned 2010 military strategy. The tiny farming community was occupied by massive numbers of US Marines, who were supposed to move on after quickly putting the town under control. Two and a half years later, the US Marines are still in the town, which sees regular battles.
and.....
http://news.antiwar.com/2012/05/11/us-sending-troops-to-yemen-for-training/
US Sending Troops to Yemen for ‘Training’
Escalating Drone Strikes Amid New Deployments
by Jason Ditz, May 11, 2012
With growing fighting in the Abyan Province, the Pentagon is announcing that it intends to send troops to Yemen as part of a “training mission.”
Following repeated claims by US leaders that Yemen’s al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP) is the greatest threat on the planet,the US has dramatically escalated its drone strike campaign against Yemen,pounding southern towns under the control of Ansar al-Sharia several times a week. All this and the ground troops, nominally “trainers,” point to an ever increasing US military role in Yemen.
Despite this, Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta insisted that there was “no consideration” that the training mission could be escalated into a full scale ground operation. Officials have also repeatedly “ruled out” boots on the ground in Yemen.
The exact details of the training mission have been a matter of considerable speculation, with the preliminary announcement earlier this week followed by comments that the troops being sent are “special forces” aiming to do a lot more than just train.
Though the Pentagon introduced the deployment as a “first,” US troops have actually been in Yemen for months now, as the Pentagon reported US troops coming under attack in the city of Aden in early March. There was no attempt at the time to explain what the troops were doing there.
and....
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