Taliban shoots down helicopter, British send more troops to Afghanistan; Turks accuse China of genocide; Pakistan-India in new anti-terror talks; Polish PM to lead EU; and more
Top of the Agenda: Deadly Violence in Afghanistan; Britain Bolsters Troops
Violence continued in Afghanistan on Tuesday as the Taliban claimed responsibility for shooting down a civilian helicopter bringing supplies to NATO-led forces (al-Jazeera). The crash happened in Helmand province, where a major U.S. military operation against the Taliban is underway. Six Ukrainians on board were killed, as well as one child on the ground.
Britain announced it would send an additional 140 troops (AP) to join the effort in Afghanistan. There are already more than 9,000 British soldiers fighting in the country. The announcement comes amid some public concern in Britain about the war after 15 British soldiers were killed in Afghanistan (WSJ) this month.
Background:
The New York Times looks at the evolution of the Afghan insurgency’s deadly improvised explosive devices (IEDs).
Reuters offers a Factbox about Helmand province.
The Independent answers questions about the war in Afghanistan “underlying the grief” surrounding the recent deaths of British soldiers.
Analysis:
A new article in Foreign Affairs argues that deployment of more U.S. troops to Afghanistan will not be enough to win the war. A military "surge" must be accompanied with a political one designed to persuade insurgents to give up their fight, it says.
Voice of America looks at the need to address women’s health issues in U.S. development and security efforts in Afghanistan.
PACIFIC RIM: China Calls for Retraction from Turkish PM
The Chinese government asked Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan to retract his statement (CS Monitor) on Tuesday that China has committed genocide against its Uighur population.
Japan: Japanese Prime Minister Taro Aso survived a no-confidence vote (Straits Times) on Tuesday, but speculation continued that his ruling political coalition, the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), might lose the August 30 general election to the opposition Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ).
ELSEWHERE:
Indian and Pakistani foreign secretaries meet.
Nigeria's main rebel group announces cease-fire.
EU elects new, 'historic' president.
This is an excerpt of the CFR.org Daily News Brief. The full version is available on CFR.org