Afghanistan War News Updates -- July 31, 2011

Sources: ISAF via Brookings Institution, AP. By The Washingon Post. Published on July 30, 2011, 9:36 p.m.

As Drawdown Approaches, U.S. Commanders In Afghanistan Reluctant To Leave -- L.A. Times

Garmser, Afghanistan — This farming district along the Helmand River, once one of the most Taliban-saturated corners of southern Afghanistan, has turned so quiet over the past three months that some U.S. Marines here quietly wish for a gunfight. “Just to get off a few rounds,” said one, “so we can feel like Marines.”

Since the 1st Battalion of the 3rd Marine Regiment arrived in Garmser in mid-April, they have struck fewer than 10 roadside bombs, none of which have proved fatal. Just one grenade and “no more bullets than you could fit in your front pocket” have been fired their way, said the battalion’s commander, Lt. Col. Sean Riordan.

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More News On Afghanistan

FACTBOX-Security developments in Afghanistan, July 31 -- Alertnet

Afghanistan: Suicide attack in Lashkar Gah 'kills 13' -- BBC
Suicide car bomber kills 10 Afghan policemen -- L.A. Times
Afghan blast kills 12 policemen, one child -- Yahoo News/Reuters
Bomb kills 11 at police HQ in southern Afghanistan -- Yahoo News/AP
Suicide bomber kills 10 Afghan officers, 1 child outside police headquarters -- Washington Post
10 Police, Child Killed in Southern Afghanistan -- Voice of America
Suicide Blast At Afghan Police Station Kills 13 -- Radio Free Europe

Afghanistan: Army officer 'worked for Taliban' -- BBC
Suspected Taliban spy arrested in Kabul, officials say -- CNN
Senior Afghan official arrested - secrets leaked -- SFGate/AP

Afghan civilians pay lethal price for new policy on air strikes -- The Independent
Marine forces in demand: special operations grows into Afghan role -- Sign On San Diego
US military chief Mike Mullen takes the heat in Afghanistan -- BBC
In Kabul, Mullen Promotes U.S. Pullout -- New York Times
Mullen Confident Afghans Will Be Ready to Shoulder Security -- US Department of Defense
US troop drawdown plans due by mid-October; commanders concerned about Ramadan fighting -- Washington Post
US commanders concerned about Ramadan fighting -- Yahoo News/AP
Taliban leaders may take Ramadan break, US military says -- Jerusalem Post/Reuters
Gen. Stanley McChrystal: 'Jury is out' on U.S. efforts in Afghanistan -- Al.com
Warlords, Government Capacity Threaten Afghan Mining-Watchdog -- New York Times/Reuters
In Afghanistan, Rage at Young Lovers -- New York Times
Afghanistan: The Taliban And The Impossible Dream -- Strategy Page
NATO casualties total 330 in Afghanistan since beginning 2011 -- Shanghai Daily