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KABUL, Afghanistan — After years of deriding Afghanistan’s government and army as corrupt tools of Western occupiers, the Taliban have begun publicly airing a softer vision for the country’s future, with senior insurgent leaders saying the militants are willing to govern alongside other Afghan factions and even to adopt the current American-financed army as their own.

That message was delivered over the past few days by Taliban envoys during private meetings with Afghan officials and opposition politicians near Paris, according to officials close to the talks, and the softer approach has been echoed in recent interviews with Taliban figures loyal to the group’s nominal leader, Mullah Muhammad Omar. Together, it is the furthest that the Taliban’s senior leadership has gone to express in some official way that the group would be willing to operate as a mainstream Afghan political faction rather than aiming to return as conquering rulers after the end of the NATO combat mission in 2014.

But with the Taliban there are always questions.

Read more ....


Afghan Factions Meet in France As NATO Prepares Withdrawal -- Atlantic Sentinel
Afghan government, Taliban in talks -- UPI
Taliban Unveil Political Plan -- Wall Street Journal
Taliban call for new Afghanistan constitution -- AFP
Taliban seek new Afghan constitution to join peace process -- Khaama Press
Afghan Taliban call for new constitution -- Business Recorder
US hails talks between Kabul, Taliban -- Dawn

My Comment: I am not optimistic with these talks. The Taliban believe that they are the legitimate government of Afghanistan .... and that the constitution should embrace their radical version of Islam. As to what everyone else is thinking .... well .... from their point of view that is too bad.

Nothing is sweeter than seeing a soldier or sailor reunited with their family after a long deployment overseas. Embracing each other for the first time can often be a very intimate moment for these families, and one that some service members plan well in advance, making sure to give their loved ones a giant and welcome surprise.

In many cases, it’s the first time the entire family has been together in months, perhaps even years. We’ve rounded up the top 7 surprise military homecomings caught on camera in 2012.

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My Comment: There are some damn good videos here.

BEIJING—China's top military brass said it will put a stop to boozy banquets for high-level officers, in the latest sign that intense public pressure is forcing Chinese officials to show they are trying to root out corruption.

The state-run Xinhua news agency said late Friday that the Central Military Commission issued new rules that banned luxury banquets and liquor at receptions, as well as red carpets, floral arrangements, formations of soldiers and other trappings of power. It also said commission officials would limit travel abroad, and that the rules forbade them from staying in civilian hotels or in military hotels "specially equipped with luxury accommodation" during inspection tours.

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Update #1: China bans elaborate military banquets -- Al Jazeera
Update #2: China bans alcohol in military banquets to curb graft -- Reuters

My Comment: Being one who has enjoyed a few Chinese banquets in my life .... this will hurt. But .... I also know that aside the rhetoric .... nothing is going to change. My prediction .... on my next visit to China .... my Chinese hosts who work for the government will be throwing a banquet (or two).

The Chinese government is rapidly building a bigger, more sophisticated military. Here’s what they have, what they want, and what it means for the U.S.

In a single generation, China has transformed itself from a largely agrarian country into a global manufacturing and trading powerhouse. China’s economy is 20 times bigger than it was two decades ago and is on track to surpass the United States’ as the world’s largest. But perhaps most startling has been the growth of China’s ambitious and increasingly powerful military.

Just 10 years ago, the budget for the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) was roughly $20 billion. Today, that number is more like $100 billion. (Some analysts think it’s closer to $160 billion.) The PLA’s budget is only a sixth of what the U.S. devotes to defense annually, but defense dollars go much further in China, and in the years ahead, Chinese military spending will grow at the same rate as its economy.

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My Comment: The Chinese see themselves as Asia's regional superpower today (which one can debate that they are).... and a global superpower in 20-30 years. It is (of course) that 20-30 year plan that is getting everyone nervous.What's my take .... China has a very long way to go before they are a global super power .... and there is no guarantee that they will become one even then.

The civil war in Syria, targeted shootings in Somalia and continued violence in Pakistan made 2012 a particularly dangerous year for journalists, with at least 67 killed worldwide in direct relation to their work, according to an organization that defends press freedom.

The fatality numbers compiled through mid-December by the Committee to Protect Journalists represent a 42 percent increase over 2011. The committee says 2012 is on track to becoming one of the deadliest years for journalists since it began compiling records in 1992.

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My Comment: There has also been many close calls.

Army Specialist John Nolan’s heart pounded as he stared into the wadi in central Afghanistan. He wasn’t sure what lay beneath the loose, granular dirt.

Was there a 500-pound bomb buried beneath him? If that thing detonated, he would be dead.

Maybe there were some homemade explosive or land mines? If they exploded right now, he might live. He might not.

Read more ....

My Comment: Another great dog story is here.

President Hamid Karzai on Saturday blamed foreigners for most of the corruption in Afghanistan and said the withdrawal of NATO troops in 2014 would help rid the country of graft.

More than 11 years after a US-led invasion led to billions of dollars in aid flowing into one of the world's poorest countries, Afghanistan ranks among the most corrupt nations in the world.

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ISAF Joint Command operational update, Dec 22 -- ISAF
Three Polish soldiers injured in Afghanistan -- Polskie Radio
Georgian Soldier Disappears in Afghanistan -- New York Times
Georgian Republic soldier missing in Afghanistan -- Stars and Stripes

Afghan president says foreign donor countries to blame for country’s widespread corruption -- Washington Post/AP
Karzai blames foreigners for corruption in Afghanistan -- Khaama Press
Karzai Blames Foreigners For Corruption -- Radio Fee Europe
Karzai blames foreign money for corruption -- UPI

Afghan Factions Meet in France As NATO Prepares Withdrawal -- Atlantic Sentinel
Afghan government, Taliban in talks -- UPI
Taliban Unveil Political Plan -- Wall Street Journal
Taliban call for new Afghanistan constitution -- AFP
Taliban seek new Afghan constitution to join peace process -- Khaama Press

Spanish prime minister in surprise visit to Afghanistan -- Khaama Press
Rajoy in Afghanistan pledges Spanish presence after 2014 -- Euronews
Spanish PM on unannounced Afghan visit: media -- AFP

In Afghanistan, a hard holiday for troops -- Army Times/USA Today
Obamas extend ‘welcome home’ to troops -- Washington Times
Prince Harry to return home from Afghanistan in January -- Examiner
In pictures: Afghanistan's mineral resources -- BBC
Civilians running the Afghan war? -- Anthony H. Cordesman, Washington Post
Afghan peace puzzle: Why Washington must lead -- Amir Taheri, New York Post
Look the Other Way, Please: What Are Those Secret Talks in Paris All About? -- Bruce Crumley, Time