[…] Today, the Senate confirmed General David D. McKiernan as Commander of U.S. Forces–Afghanistan. This newly created position and realignment of the command structure provides General McKiernan authority over nearly all U.S. forces in Afghanistan, ensuring greater coordination in operational planning and execution. General McKiernan will continue to serve as Commander of the International Security Assistance Force.

[…] Senior representatives of the Governments of the United States of America and the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan met in Washington DC today for the third round of the United States-Afghanistan Strategic Partnership dialogue. President Bush and President Karzai created and signed into effect the Strategic Partnership in May 2005 to enhance the long-term security, democracy and prosperity of Afghanistan, as well as to support U.S. national interests.

[…] On behalf of the United States Government, we’re honored to be hosting the third round of the United States-Afghanistan Strategic Partnership Dialogue. Today’s meeting underscores our commitment to the objectives of enhancing the long-term security, democracy and prosperity of Afghanistan -- the objectives that President Bush and President Karzai laid out when they created the Strategic Partnership in May of 2005.

[…] The United States is the leading donor to Afghanistan and has provided increasing amounts of security, reconstruction, governance, and humanitarian assistance since 2001. Total U.S. security and development assistance appropriated for Afghanistan since 2001 is approximately $31.9 billion.
U.S. assistance supports priority needs identified in the Afghanistan Compact and the new, five-year Afghanistan National Development Strategy.

[…] “United States forces take every precaution to avoid harming any Afghan civilian during military operations,” Negroponte said, in sharp contrast to the Taliban and al-Qaida’s deliberate campaigns of intimidation and terror. “We and our Afghanistan counterparts recognize the need to establish a mutually agreed-upon mechanism to minimize civilian casualties and to maintain the strong support of the Afghan people in fighting terrorism,” Negroponte said.

[…] The most significant challenge facing the United States and its allies in Afghanistan is increasing the competence and reliability of the Afghan security forces, says U.S. Defense Secretary Robert Gates. "The persistent and increasing violence resulting from an organized insurgency is, of course, our greatest concern," Gates told the Senate Armed Services Committee September 23. "Until the insurgency is deprived of safe havens, insecurity and violence will persist."

[…] A fundamental objective of our counterinsurgency strategy is to connect the Afghan people to their government through strengthened institutions, especially at the sub-national level, and improved rule of law functions. An expanded Afghan National Army will enhance security at the local level and support an environment conducive to social development, the strengthening of democratic institutions, and economic growth.

[…] While the United States is withdrawing combat forces from Iraq as the levels of violence decline and security by Iraqi forces improves, additional forces are being sent to Afghanistan to bolster security as the insurgency strengthens, say senior U.S. defense officials. “The president has decided to send more troops to Afghanistan.

[…] The narcotics problem in Afghanistan is stabilizing, but considerable challenges remain in areas of the country where security is a problem. In the northern and central provinces the number of poppy-free provinces rose from 13 to 18 suggesting that where there is security and good governance counternarcotics policies are effective. In the south and west of the country cultivation is a continuing cause for concern as the lack of security and political will hinder progress.

[…] Director of the Narcotics Affairs Section of U.S. Embassy Kabul James Vanlaningham signed the documents transferring the award to the Ministry of Counter Narcotics Minister General Khodaidad in recognition of the achievements made in these provinces. The Ministry of Counter Narcotics will use the awards to fund development projects in these provinces, which earned Good Performers Initiative awards for successfully reducing poppy cultivation.

[…] Even though Afghanistan still faces many challenges in rebuilding its judicial system, Abdul Saboor Hashimi, chief judge of the Sangcharak district of Sari Pul province, remains optimistic about the current progress and future prospects of legal reform throughout the country. “I am optimistic about the future of the Afghanistan judicial system,” he said.