Army recalling 44,000 combat helmets
WASHINGTON (CNN) – The U.S. Army is recalling 44,000 Advanced Combat Helmets (ACH), some of which are being used by troops already deployed in combat zones in Afghanistan, because of a concern they do not meet ballistic and other standards required by the Army.
The Army recalled the helmets, which are standard issue for all soldiers, last Thursday after receiving ballistic test results that showed the helmets did not meet the services requirements, according to Brig. Gen. Peter N. Fuller, chief of testing and buying equipment for soldiers. Watch CNN's Chris Lawrence's report on the recall
The recall was triggered after the Army was told by the Department of Justice of an ongoing investigation into the company that makes the helmets, ArmorSource LLC, formerly Rabintex USA LLC.
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Can the Taliban really be reintegrated?
Afghan President Hamid Karzai plans a peace "jirga" with tribal leaders later this month to discuss a reintegration plan for Taliban members who renounce violence and lay down their arms.
But persuading the Taliban to do that - and the process with which to accomplish it - raises more questions than answers, experts said.
"It's not clear whether there's a serious common ground between Karzai and his enemies," said Paul Staniland, who studies international security and insurgent groups at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. "All of the reconciliation plans have been somewhat vague about what the ultimate end state is." FULL POST
Pro-peace cleric killed
An influential Muslim cleric, his brother and a driver were killed in an ambush in eastern Afghanistan, authorities said Monday. FULL POST
Afghan plane crashes with 44 aboard
[Updated at 7:59 a.m. ET] A plane that was reported missing with 44 people on board has crashed in Afghanistan, Interior Ministry spokesman Zemarai Basharay said Monday.
