Bullets Fly Around Provincial Peace Talks in Afghanistan

[longknife]

-- Nick McDonell and Muhib Habibi, Time posts another great story about our troops in action.

U.S. troops await a mission brief before departing to a key leader engagement with the provincial director of agriculture, irrigation and livestock in Farah City in Afghanistan's western Farah province, Nov. 18, 2012. The troops are assigned to Provincial Reconstruction Team Farah. U.S. Navy photo by Chief Petty Officer Josh Ives

From the district-office roof, an Afghan Special Forces (ASF) team stared into the dark that had fallen over Sangin’s mud compounds. They were pulling overnight guard for a peace-and-reconciliation meeting, listening to a captured Taliban radio. Ranking officer Bashir swept a forearm against the starry horizon.

“They are close.”

He turned up the volume. Taliban fighters were discussing safe areas, movements, a car bomb, who would bring the blankets. It was a chill night.

“Mostly it is propaganda,” said Bashir. His men remained vigilant.

Read more .... War News Updates: Afghanistan War News Updates -- November 26, 2012