John J. Metzler UNITED NATIONS — The clock is ticking and the calendar counting down for Afghanistan as the embattled South Asian country heads for presidential elections in April and the pullout of foreign security forces by the end of the year. A credible electoral process would go a long way in paving a peaceful […]
Special to WorldTribune.com WASHINGTON — The U.S. intelligence community has been hampered by the use of civilian contractors despite having become dependent upon them in the years following the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001, a report said. The Government Accountability Office has determined that the intelligence community could not rely on civilian contractors for […]
Special to WorldTribune.com By Grace Vuoto A congressional hearing held last week on the 2011 helicopter crash in Afghanistan that killed 30 American service members, including 17 elite troops from Navy SEAL Team Six, was a farce, say family members of the fallen warriors. “This was a joke,” said Billy Vaughn, father of Navy SEAL […]
Special to WorldTribune.com By Miles Yu, Geostrategy-Direct.com During a lively American-style presidential TV debate, major Afghan candidates for presidency staked out contrasting views on the nation’s future ties to the United States. The immediate issue facing the nation is whether the Afghan government should sign a security agreement with the United States after NATO troops’ […]
Special to WorldTribune.com By Billy and Karen Vaughn Once again, U.S. forces have been subjected to the cruelest form of betrayal in war: an insider attack. Taliban insurgents posing as Afghan soldiers opened fire on Wednesday, Feb. 12, killing two Americans and injuring four more. [See also: By waiting until now to tell his story, […]
Special to WorldTribune.com by Billy and Karen Vaughn We are all familiar with the U.S. Marine Corps slogan “Looking for a Few Good Men.” America’s military has plenty of “good men.” Yet, what it lacks in spades are good leaders. Recently we met former Secretary of Defense Robert Gates on the set of Hannity. We […]
Special to WorldTribune.com By Miles Yu, Geostrategy-Direct.com The president of Afghanistan has once again refused to sign a security pact with the United States until Washington fulfills one condition: start peace talks with the Taliban to guarantee a post-NATO withdrawal peace for the country. Failing to do that, according to President Hamid Karzai’s unyielding stance, […]
Special to WorldTribune.com By Miles Yu, Geostrategy-Direct.com A committee appointed by Afghan President Hamid Karzai decided on Monday, Dec. 30, that 650 of 764 or 85 percent of the criminals in the Bagram prison should be deemed “innocent” and released immediately. The Karzai government has consistently accused the U.S. military authorities of mistreating the Afghan […]
Special to WorldTribune.com Originally published May 30, 2013 By Grace Vuoto The media is now consistently referring to three scandals engulfing the Obama presidency, even using a shorthand expression such as a “trifecta” of troubling incidents. Yet, there is a scandal brewing that is worse than the Department of Justice violating freedom of the press, […]
Special to WorldTribune.com By Miles Yu, Geostrategy-Direct.com A senior Haqqani network figure of the Afghan Taliban was killed by unidentified gunmen in the Pakistani capital of Islamabad in the evening of Nov. 10. The attack dealt a major blow to the group who has been widely held responsible for fierce attacks on the U.S-led and […]