Afghanistan not In danger of falling to Taliban, says Obama’s NSA

October 4th, 2009 Obama adviser: Afghanistan gov't must do betterWASHINGTON — Afghanistan is not in imminent danger of falling to the Taliban, President Barack Obama's national security adviser said Sunday as he downplayed worries that the insurgency could set up a renewed sanctuary for al-Qaida. Retired Gen.

October 3rd, 2009 Obamas celebrate anniversary with dinner outWASHINGTON — There was no trip to New York and no fancy outing as the Obamas celebrated their first wedding anniversary since they moved to the White House. Instead they kept it simple, with a dinner out Saturday night at an elegant, American-fare restaurant near Georgetown.

September 27th, 2009 KABUL - A senior advisor at the Afghan Foreign Ministry has seconded General Stanley McChrystal's stance that the Inter Services Intelligence (ISI) is still offering covert support to the Taliban in Afghanistan. Daoud Muradian said Taliban's recent resurgence in Afghanistan is being funded by Pakistan's intelligence services.

September 3rd, 2009 US probes USAID funds in AfghanistanWASHINGTON — The State Department said Thursday that an investigation has begun into whether U.S. development funding for Afghanistan is being diverted to local warlords and extremists following allegations that road and bridge contractors were paying "protection" money to the Taliban.

July 29th, 2009 BRUSSELS - US Special Envoy to Afghanistan and Pakistan, Richard Holbrooke, has reiterated that the stability of Pakistan's lawless tribal areas along the Afghan border is very important in order to have some degree of control in Afghanistan. "In order to succeed in Afghanistan we have to have some degree of stability and control on the Pakistan side of the border," The News quoted Holbrooke, as saying.

July 24th, 2009 ISLAMABAD - The United States would not allow the Taliban to sneak into Pakistan from Afghanistan and is working out a strategy for it, US Special Envoy to Pakistan and Afghanistan Richard Holbrooke said before leaving Pakistan for Afghanistan after a two-day visit. Holbrooke said the US would not repeat its mistakes that it did in 2001 when hundreds of the Taliban and Al-Qaeda fighters slipped into Pakistan's border region following the US led surge after 9/11.

July 12th, 2009 WASHINGTON - The United States has ruled out any negotiations with the Taliban until it lays down arms and severe all its ties with Al-Qaeda. When enquired about the statement of the Pakistan Army's spokesman, Major General Athar Abbas, that the Pakistan military can bring the Taliban to the discussion table with the United States, the US Special Envoy to Afghanistan and Pakistan, Richard Holbrooke, said such a possibility can only occur when the Taliban 'repudiates al-Qaeda publicly'.

June 27th, 2009 LAHORE - The International Security Assistance Force deputy commander, Lieutenant General Jim Dutton, has said that the Pakistan military's operation against Baitullah Mehsud is extremely important in defeating the Taliban on both sides of the Pak-Afghanistan border. The Daily Times quoted him as saying, that the troop surge in Afghanistan could push the Taliban back to their original positions, including Pakistan.

June 7th, 2009 LAHORE - President Barack Obama's Special Envoy to Afghanistan and Pakistan, Richard Holbrooke, has said the United States will trace the financial sources of the Taliban. Holbrooke said the Taliban is getting more money from private donors than from their opium trade, estimated to be about 300 million dollars a year.

May 24th, 2009 WASHINGTON - The United States considers the next 12 to 18 months as critical to the success of its revamped AFPAK policy. Addressing an off the record briefing, in which the briefer is not identified, a top US military official said the next year and half would crucial for the US led 'war on terror' against Al-Qaeda and the Taliban in Afghanistan.

May 13th, 2009 WASHINGTON - US special representative for Afghanistan and Pakistan, Richard Holbrooke, has said that information war is key to the success of US strategy in Pakistan as it faces a resurgent Taliban. 'Concurrent with the insurgency is an information war.

May 7th, 2009 LAHORE - Suicide bombings are justified in Islam from the days' of Prophet Mohammad, the Taliban has said. Spokesperson of the reclusive leader of Afghanistan Taliban Mullah Omar, Zabiullah Mujahid said the Taliban is working for the sake of Islam.

April 30th, 2009 LAHORE - Of late, the United States has been expressing serious concerns about the expanding writ of the Taliban and fears about Islamabad falling into the hands of the extremists, which is the reason why the Obama Administration's focus has now shifted from Afghanistan to Pakistan. US State Department officials have now openly admitted that Pakistan was ultimately more important for America security than the Taliban-Qaeda infested areas in the east of Afghanistan.

April 23rd, 2009 ISLAMABAD - The Pakistani Army must end its age old anti-India strategy and try to save Pakistan from becoming the caliphate of al Qaeda and the Taliban, according to a leading Islamabad based daily. The Taliban are linked to al Qaeda and they are counting on such elements in Punjab to help them take their war down to other parts of Pakistan.

March 12th, 2009 WASHINGTON - While President Barack Obama's administration is still reviewing US strategy in Afghanistan, US Defense Secretary Robert Gates has said that America, "at a minimum," must make efforts to ensure that the Taliban does not return to power in Afghanistan after being ousted in 2001. "I would say that at a minimum, the mission is to prevent the Taliban from retaking power against a democratically elected government in Afghanistan, thus turning Afghanistan, potentially again, into a haven for Al-Qaeda and other extremists," The News quoted Gates, as saying.