February 19th Morning Readbook

Nato-Afghan offensive in Helmand 'a success', governor says




Concern over Afghan civilians slows NATO advance
Whenever Afghanistan's Taliban turn up the heat in the battle with U.S. Marines, the troops have to think twice before retaliating or calling in air strikes in order to avoid civilian casualties.


US compensates Afghans for death, damage from war
The fallout of war has a price in southern Afghanistan. U.S. Army units fighting the Taliban in Helmand province have a compensation system for any death, injury or damage to crops and buildings caused by American forces to Afghan civilians and their property.


In Afghanistan, Marines handling detainees by the book
The Marines have been ordered not to treat Afghans roughly. When making an arrest, they are instructed to ask their suspect to voluntarily go with them. Most do.


U.S. strike in Pakistan kills Afghan militant's son
A son of the leader of a major Taliban faction attacking Western forces in Afghanistan was killed in a recent missile strike by a U.S. drone in Pakistan, security officials said on Friday.


Blast as Holbrooke visits Pakistan 
An explosion at a mosque in northwestern Pakistan has killed at least 29 people and wounded dozens more.


Is the U.S. Hotter on Bin Laden's Trail?
Are the U.S. and Pakistan one step closer to hunting down Osama bin Laden? The recent capture of the Taliban's military commander, Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar, as he was leaving a seminary in the Pakistani seaport of Karachi may have given investigators several leads in tracking down the the fugitive al-Qaeda chief.


War in Iraq will be called 'Operation New Dawn' to reflect reduced U.S. role
The Obama administration has decided to give the war in Iraq a new name -- "Operation New Dawn" -- to reflect the reduced role U.S. troops will play in securing the country this year as troop levels fall, according to a memo from Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates.


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