American Morning
Female dog handler proves herself under fire
(CNN) – To the Marines in Afghanistan they can mean the difference between life and death. They're the "dogs of war." Today we introduce you to the only female dog handler in all of Afghanistan. Our Chris Lawrence has the story from Helmand Province.
U.S. stepping up drone strikes in Pakistan
(CNN) – Defense Secretary Robert Gates is in Afghanistan, visiting with U.S. ground troops who are trying to drive the Taliban out of Kandahar.
Weeding out militants across the border in Pakistan, however, is much more complicated. The U.S. is now stepping up attacks on suspected terrorists there by launching hell-fire missiles from unmanned drones.
CNN national security analyst Peter Bergen and a colleague from the New America Foundation have created an online interactive map of U.S. drone strikes in the region. He joined us on Tuesday's American Morning for an analysis using CNN's "magic wall."
Read more: Gates in Afghanistan on unannounced visit
McChrystal apologizes as airstrike kills dozens in Afghanistan
The commander of U.S. forces in Afghanistan, Gen. Stanley McChrystal, has publicly apologized to the Afghan people after a NATO air strike killed more than two dozen civilians.
It is something the U.S. has gone to great lengths to try and avoid as part of its new strategy. Our Barbara Starr has the report from the Pentagon.
Read more: Civilians killed in NATO strike
Taliban capture a turning point?
Pakistan is now confirming the capture of the Taliban's top military commander.
Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar, who is said to have been nabbed in Karachi, is the real deal. A man reportedly at the core of Taliban operations and training.
To discuss the significance of the event, we were joined on Wednesday's American Morning by two former CIA officers, Gary Berntsen and Reuel Marc Gerecht.
Top Taliban commander captured, officials say
Washington (CNN) - The Taliban's top military leader, Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar, has been captured, senior U.S. and Pakistani officials told CNN.
This is a "huge deal," CNN National Security Analyst Peter Bergen said. "This guy ... is the number two political figure in the Taliban" to the group's founder Mullah Muhammad Omar.
Baradar, an Afghan, was arrested in the southern Pakistani city of Karachi, a senior Pakistani intelligence official said. The official asked not to be named because he is not authorized to speak to the media.
Baradar was a close associate of al Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden ahead of the September 11 attacks on the United States. Bergen said Baradar also would have been in regular contact with Omar.
American and Pakistani intelligence officials are taking part in interrogations, a senior Pakistani intelligence official said.
"The critical issue is how much will he talk and provide information on ... where the Taliban in Pakistan are and ... where Osama bin Laden is," said Robin Wright, a fellow at the U.S. Institute of Peace. FULL STORY
Afghan offensive 'big test' for U.S.
Coalition forces are tightening their grip on a Taliban stronghold in southern Afghanistan.
Officials there say most of Marjah is now under government control, but the 15,000 Afghan and NATO forces are said to be facing, “scattered resistance.” Mines, as well as IEDs left by Taliban fighters, are still a major concern.
To discuss this largest offensive since the war began, our Pentagon correspondent Barbara Starr joined us Monday on CNN's "American Morning." Below is an edited transcript of the interview.
John Roberts: This is also a big test of the new “clear, hold, and build” strategy; the new surge strategy the United States has implemented.
Barbara Starr: You know, John, it really is. This is the test of President Obama's strategy. The key, of course, is putting more U.S. troops in to be able to throw the Taliban out and then bring the Afghans in and make them do the “hold” phase of this. Make them insert their own government. This is the big test if that will really work. A lot of people say the Afghans just aren't ready and it's going to be very tough going in the weeks ahead.
Roberts: A lot of troops involved in this: U.S., NATO forces as well, troops from Canada, other countries. But a large contingent of Afghan forces as well, and the U.S. military really making a point of the number of Afghan forces involved here. Why?
Starr: Well, again, because they want to show to the American people that there is, first and foremost, a way home for U.S. troops. And the way home for U.S. troops is for Afghan troops to be able to handle their own security situation. And also, to demonstrate to the Afghan people that it is their own government and their own security forces that are really in the lead here. Nobody wants to see it look like a U.S. occupation.
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