'Afghanistan–IED: “The Hidden Killer”'

Conference of Defence Associations' media round-up. Excerpt:

David Ignatius for The Washington Post provides reasons to be
concerned over Afghanistan, and the plan to transfer security and
governance to local authorities.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/05/07/AR20100507040...

Matthew Fisher for The Ottawa Citizen learns from NATO’s highest
civilian representative in Afghanistan, Ambassador Mark Sedwill, that
there will probably be fighting in Kandahar City but it will be
‘targeted and precise.’
http://www.ottawacitizen.com/news/Canadian+troops+prepare+deadly+battle+over+...

Marie Colvin for The Times writes that the Taliban’s quick resurgence
in Marjah, a town of only 50,000 secured by over 5,000 Marines, is
worrying for prospects in Kandahar.
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/afghanistan/article7120695.ece

The Washington Post asks five experts to comment on whether
President Obama’s Afghanistan strategy is working.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/05/07/AR20100507045...

Joshua Partlow for The Washington Post examines charges of tension
between General McChrystal and Ambassador Eikenberry, especially
regarding their approach to President Karzai.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/05/08/AR20100508033...

John Boone for The Guardian describes Kandahar as charged with fear, resulting from a strengthened and intimidating Taliban presence in and around the provincial capital.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2010/may/09/afghanistan-taliban-nato-kandahar...

Anthony Lloyd for The Times writes that ISAF has only seven months in which to capitalize on maximum troop strength and international unity to take Kandahar.
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/afghanistan/article7122307.ece

The International Crisis Group has authored a report entitled, “A
Force in Fragments: Reconstituting the Afghan National Army,”
examining the state of the country’s fledgling forces.
http://www.crisisgroup.org/en/regions/asia/south-asia/afghanistan.aspx

Michael Evans for the Times reports that the US, faced with British
resistance, have abandoned plans to shift British troops from Helmand
to Kandahar province [emphasis added].
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/afghanistan/article7125881.ece

Tom Coghlan for The Times writes that the “White Taleban,” of unkown
identity in Zabul, intimidate locals and suggest that the Taliban in
Kandahar may regroup in Zabul.
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/afghanistan/article7125931.ece

PBS Newshour interviews General McChrystal, who conceded that “nobody is winning in Afghanistan,” [emphasis added] as ISAF troops prepare to wage the largest campaign in the war.
http://www.pbs.org/newshour/bb/asia/jan-june10/mcchrystal2_05-13.html...