On the Afghan Front

The notorious Blackwater trial on Afghanistan started a couple of days ago in Virginia. Two guards are accused of shooting two unarmed men in a car, and a pedestrian.

Activists go on trial for protesting the drone attacks, including Colonel Ann Wright, and a Pakistani actress talks about how the US military's presence worsened the effects of the floods to Amy Goodman's Democracy Now this week.

There is also a large protest against civilian casualties in Afghanistan, Hamid Karzai tells American lawmakers that the US is not making progress in Afghanistan because of said casualties. Mr. Karzai, has of course, also recently told the Americans that he would like armed security companies in Afghanistan to cease operating.

Canadian forces alone paid 650,000 dollars to families over the course of two years for collateral damage- the killing of civilians. Any payment over two thousand dollars was considered exceptional and required permission from the Deputy Minister of National Defence. The lowest payment was just one hundred and four dollars.

Robert Naiman suggests that negotiation with the Taliban could start this week, and could end the night raids, which are most dreaded by Afghans. He writes at the Huffington Post. Mr. Naiman ventures a suggestion that the United States could learn from the negotiaions on the Israeli- Palestinian conflict, in addressing this situation, and describes why they are useful.

Greg Carlstrom writes about the mass discontent with Obama's Afghan war policy in Washington, and adds that Gilles Dorronsoro has called for an immediate pullout from the country.

Australia is seeking to brand itself as a middle power, and Kevin Rudd expresses support for Pakistan and caution about Australia's role in Afghanistan.. One effective way to impress middle power status on others would be to be among the first to withdraw from the Afghan war.

Peter Cameron cites the fact that the Afghan war is the longest in US history and suggests that Australians should follow the Dutch and leave the country.

This month has been the deadliest month for drone strikes in Pakistan since they started in 2004.

There are reports that flood rescue workers were killed in the drone attacks so far this month.

Protestors call for international treaties to stop the drone attacks, including Philip Alston, the UN Rapporteur. There are a number of upcoming conferences on the drones this month.

Derrick Crowe takes on Joshua Foust in a debate about the Afghan study group at the Huffington Post. Definitely worth a read.

Renee Montagne reports that Atta Mohammed Noor, a "key player" who is working inside Afghanistan's North, would support negotiating with the Taliban.

The Canadian Broadcasting Corporation just broke the story that access to Wikileaks is prohibited for Canadian defence staff, according to a recent memorandum that says that the site could transmit viruses to defence computers.

Moscow and Kabul are boosting their energy ties, and here is another Russian perspective on the project.

It is also reported that the Polish president wants to pull troops out of Afghanistan, as eighty percent of Poland's public is against the war.

Hamid Karzai has orchestrated a High Peace Council to talk to the Taliban.

Seema Jilani's wisdom, patience and love shine in this piece about aid work in Afghanistan.