American Morning
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
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
Big Afghan offensive in 'clearing phase'
Marjah, Afghanistan (CNN) - Resistance is waning in a major NATO offensive against the Taliban in southern Afghanistan, the nation's officials said Monday, a day after 12 civilians died in a rocket attack by coalition troops.
"Coalition forces are clearing mines and roadside bombings, and facing only scattered resistance" from the Taliban, said Zahir Azimi, the Afghan defense spokesman.
The troops met almost no resistance on Monday, unlike Sunday, said Hanif Atmar, the Afghan minister of interior affairs.
"Progress is being made on all fronts," he said.
However, CNN's Atia Abawi, who is embedded with Marines in Marjah, said the coalition forces were still battling militants, facing sporadic gunfire.
About 15,000 Afghan and NATO forces are taking part in Operation Moshtarak, the biggest offensive since the Afghan war started in 2001. The assault aims to wrest control of the town of Marjah and surrounding areas from the Taliban.
A Soldier's Story: Army recruit's critical weapons training
Editor's Note: From the home front to the front lines, we're following one recruit's journey in our American Morning original series "A Soldier's Story." Today, in part five, Jason Carroll reports on the critical weapons training our recruit Will McLain needs to survive on the battlefield.
By Jason Carroll, CNN
For privates like Will McLain, the stress is not just about passing a weapons test. It’s also about coming closer to learning whether or not he will be deployed to fight a war.
It is one of the last hurdles to overcome before completing basic training – weapons qualification.
Before Will McLain enlisted, he showed me how to handle a shotgun back in his hometown of Rosamond, California. But shooting for recreation is nothing compared to what he’s doing now, where hitting bulls-eyes is just as important as avoiding sniper fire.
Will's shooting scores earned him a rating of marksman, but fell short of the score needed for sharpshooter or expert.
I asked him if there were times he thought he couldn’t do it.
“It wasn’t that I didn’t think I could do it,” he replied. “It was more like, dang, what did I get myself into. I got three years of this coming up, but to realize that you can make it through this, it’s kind of good to feel.”
A Soldier’s Story: Family reacts to son's service
Editor's Note: From the home front to the front lines, we're following one recruit's journey in our American Morning original series "A Soldier's Story." Today, in part four, our Jason Carroll checks in with Will McLain's family to find out what they think about the stress and time away from home. Tomorrow, we look at Will's training and get his feelings about deployment as it draws closer.
By Jason Carroll, CNN
So far, much of the focus of our series has been on Will McLain's impressions and experiences.
Now, we turn the camera in a different direction to get his parents' point of view of what it’s like to have a recruit in the family for the first time.
“Hey Mom and Dad, how are things going at home? I hope well,” Will's letter reads.
Nearly every time Laurie McLain reads a letter from her son, Will – or Junior as they call him at home in Rosamond, CA – it’s hard for her not to become emotional.
“I love you guys and I'll talk to you when I can. Love Junior."
The letters come from Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri where new recruit Will has been at boot camp for the past nine weeks.
Gates unveils 'don't ask, don't tell' plan
[cnn-photo-caption image= http://i2.cdn.turner.com/cnn/2010/images/02/02/gates.mullen.gi.art.jpg caption="Defense Secretary Robert Gates (L) and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Adm. Michael Mullen (R) participate in a Senate Armed Services Committee hearing on Capitol Hill on February 2, 2010."]
Washington (CNN) - The Pentagon has taken the first steps toward repealing the military's controversial "don't ask, don't tell" policy regarding gay and lesbian service members, Defense Secretary Robert Gates said Tuesday.
Laying the groundwork for a repeal of the policy will take more than a year, Gates said. In the interim, however, the Defense Department will start enforcing the policy "in a fairer manner," he told members of the Senate Armed Services Committee.
President Obama called for a repeal of the policy during last week's State of the Union address.
Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman Adm. Mike Mullen also endorsed a repeal Tuesday, telling the committee it is his "personal belief" that "allowing gays and lesbians to serve openly [in the military] would be the right thing to do."
"For me, personally, it comes down to integrity," he said.
"The question before us is not whether the military prepares to make this change, but how we best prepare for it," Gates told members of the Senate Armed Services Committee. "We have received our orders from the commander in chief and we are moving out accordingly."
But the ultimate decision on whether to repeal the policy, he acknowledged, rests with Congress.
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