Three Americans shot dead at Afghan hospital
The attack at the CURE Hospital in western Kabul, which specializes in child and maternity health, is the latest incident in which Afghan security forces have targeted foreigners. District Police Chief Hafiz Khan told the Associated Press that a guard suddenly turned his weapon on the staff he was supposed to be protecting and started shooting. The deaths were confirmed by the U.S. Embassy in Kabul. Ref. USAToday
Afghanistan Corruption Fostered by U.S., Pentagon Finds:
The U.S. Government "Created an environment that fostered corruption" In Afghanistan by supporting warlords, relying on private trucking contracts and providing billions of dollars in aid, according to a previously undisclosed Pentagon report. Ref. Source 2
The United States will spend "In the vicinity" Of $20 billion on the military presence in Afghanistan in 2015 while narrowing the mission in 2015 to one of training and counterterrorism and ending the combat role, National Security Advisor Antony Blinken told CNN's Wolf Blitzer.
The United States plans to keep 9,800 troops in Afghanistan after this year and reduce that by about half by the end of 2015, President Obama announced earlier Tuesday. By the end of 2016, he said, the military "Will draw down to a normal embassy presence in Kabul, with a security assistance component." Ref. CNN
This year is a "Pivotal year" In Afghanistan, U.S. President Barack Obama told reporters Tuesday, saying that 2014 will mark the conclusion of the U.S. Combat mission there. "We will bring America's longest war to a responsible end," He said.
Obama also announced that the United States plans to keep 9,800 troops in Afghanistan after this year if the Afghan government signs a security agreement. That number would be cut by roughly half by the end of 2015, he added.
By the end of 2016, he said, the military "Will draw down to a normal embassy presence in Kabul, with a security assistance component."
There are 32,000 American service members in Afghanistan. Operation Enduring Freedom began on October 7, 2001. Ref. CNN
Five American service members and an Afghan soldier were killed in southern Afghanistan, a senior Afghan government official said. The deaths took place in Zabul province, the official said. He didn't say how the service members died. Ref. CNN