Draw down U.S. troops if Afghanistan progress lags, panel recommends
The United States should consider drastically cutting the number of troops in Afghanistan unless the current strategy starts to show signs of progress, a new report says.
The 98-page independent task force report, sponsored by the Council on Foreign Relations, also says the United States should invest in a long-term partnership with Pakistan, but only if Pakistan takes action against all
terrorist organizations.
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Vehicle-bomb blast reported near NATO convoy
A vehicle bomb exploded near a military base on the edge of Kabul Friday, injuring at least one person, authorities said.
Initial reports say the blast happened as a convoy passed by with troops with the NATO-led International Security Assistance Force, the force said in a statement. The blast occurred near Camp Julien, where ISAF troops train Afghan forces as well as some newly arriving coalition soldiers.
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Death toll from Karachi blast rises to 17
The death toll from a suicide car bomb attack on a police facility in Pakistan's largest city has risen to 17, police said.
The number of wounded in the attack - which took place in the city of Karachi on Thursday - has also risen to 180, said police official Javed Hussain.
Hussain said about 500 kg (1,100 lbs) of explosives was used in the attack.
Pakistani Taliban spokesman Azam Tariq told CNN that the Taliban carried out the attack, which police say targeted building that housed a Crime Investigation Department facility.
