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The article discusses the marked improvement and sophistication of skills of some of the armed guerrilla and terrorist groups operating in Afghanistan. The presence of a foreign force supporting such groups is apparent from the kind of gear being used by them as well as the advanced skills they are manifesting in operations.

Abu Musab al-Zarqawi, a lieutenant with al-Qaida in Iraq was killed after a persistent hunt of 3 years. The US and coalition forces conducted a series of raids on insurgents in Iraq until the terror mastermind was let defenseless and alone and was killed.

The Vice Adm. Lowell Jacoby, the head of the U.S. Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA) is of the view that the intelligence community must incorporate change in its working to confront counterinsurgency and counter terrorism, thus focusing its attention from reconnaissance doctrine to persistent surveillance rather than discrete targets. Thus, he suggests ways to achieve this plan that includes adding military intelligence troops, data via satellites, interagency communications and space-based radar.

Officials at the US Army's National Training Center (NTC) in Fort Irwin, CA, are considering buying new attack helicopters for training exercises. The officials are also planning to hire civilian contractors to fly the aircraft to save aviation personnel slots that can then be moved to aviation units that have a wartime mission, said Col. Tim Reischl, NTC chief. Reischl estimates the use of a private contractor to save about 25 aviation personnel spaces. Candidates for the helicopter buy include Russian helicopters Hind and the Mi-8 Hip.

The commander of the U.S. Task Force Legion, Lt. Col. Jeff French is using a persistent campaign of information to challenge the Taliban's influence over the local population in Maywand, Afghanistan. French's information operations campaign is based on a counterinsurgency strategy that isolates the insurgents from the local inhabitants and undermines the Taliban's apparent invincibility.

Senior officials in the NATO coalition in Afghanistan have revealed that the Afghanistan reintegration initiative, to persuade low- and middle-level insurgents to lay down their weapons and get reintegrate back into society is proving quite successful. Hundreds of insurgents have taken advantage of the initiative and many are waiting to follow suit.

Lt. Col. Chris Nash, a Marine Corps officer has revealed that Pakistani forces reinforced the Taliban with supplies in June 2007. This was done by carrying out repeated helicopter missions.

The battle of Mari Ghar in Kandahar, Afghanistan between the Taliban and a US Special Forces A-team is described. Considered to be one of the most significant battles that took place in the country, the manner in which it was fought showed not only the ability of the Special Forces to find the enemy and to overcome the enemy's action, but also their understanding of small-time tactics.

The author examines long-term strategic changes underway with the U.S. Army. Topics include management policy on new spending standards, deployment of troops, and military planning.

The author examine some of the methods used by the Iraqi soldiers in the U.S.-lead invasion of Iraq. Topics include use of women and children in battle zones, wearing U.S. military uniforms, and suicide missions.

The author examines the difficulties of keeping U.S. army forces supplied in the on going invasion of Iraq. Topics include military logistics, military campaigns, and dangers of war zones.

This article discusses the proposals of Major Don Vandergriff for a comprehensive overhaul of the U.S. Army's personnel system. Vandergriff, who is on the verge of retirement, is the author of the book, 'The Path to Victory.'

Members of U.S. Special Forces in Afghanistan are asking for more dedicated aviation support for their missions. Special operations commanders assert missions are sometimes abandoned due to lack of helicopters under their command.

A secretive U.S. special operations task force in Afghanistan is targeting the country's most dangerous insurgent group, the Haqqani network. The unit, which is part of the Joint Special Operations Command, received a boost after the shift in focus from Iraq to Afghanistan and the availability of new intelligence.

U.S. Army General David Petraeus will be taking over as commander of operations in Afghanistan following the dismissal of Army General Stanley McChrystal. Petraeus will be given the flexibility to bring about changes in rules of engagement to achieve optimal results.

Members of a U.S. Army Special Forces A-team deployed in Afghanistan's Shinkay district report some success in putting local and tribal leaders in contact with Afghan government officials. However, team leaders state they are still unable to identify insurgents operating in the area.

The main edge that the U.S. Army Stryker Mine-Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP) all-terrain vehicle (M-ATV) has over the Mine-Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP) vehicles is that of mobility. The heavy weight and high centre of gravity tend to restrict the MRAPs in operations in Afghanistan, which the M-ATV can easily handle; their only problem being their vulnerability.

The U.S.'s counterinsurgency efforts in Maywand, Afghanistan, are being undermined by the ill-disciplined private security guards that escort supply convoys to coalition bases. Coalition commanders are investigating local leaders' increasing concerns over several incidents where civilians have been shot or killed by the contractors.

Reports of differences and the existence of a rift between U.S. President Barack Obama and General Stanley McChrystal, senior U.S. and NATO commander in Afghanistan are being vehemently denied. The apparent disagreement between the two is over the way the war in Afghanistan should be conducted and proceeds.

The article discusses the death of Saleh Ali Saleh Albhan, a top Al-Qaeda leader in a special U.S. operation in Somalia. The September 14, 2009 attack was a typical Joint Special Operations Command (JSOC) mission and had helicopters flying ashore from a U.S. Navy ship to attack a vehicle convoy.

The US Special Operations Command (SOCom) is planning to reorganize itself and is moving its headquarters to a new three-star position in Washington. The main features of the reorganization plans by SOCom are highlighted.

The article discusses some of the changes that the U.S. Special Operations Command (SOCOM) is bringing about in the structure and organization of its task force in Iraq and Afghanistan. Some of the changes include longer deployment of forces with more time between deployments.

The U.S. forces deployed in Afghanistan are facing operational problems due to a shortage of helicopters and UAVs. This was revealed by the head of U.S. Special Operations Command Adm. Eric Olson at a meeting held on 3 February 2009 at the MacDill Air Force Base Fla.

The article describes the rescue mission launched in Afghanistan for a captured American businessman. The individual was held hostage for almost two months.

The head of the U.S. Central Command, Gen. David Petraeus claims to be unsure about the role that Osama bin Laden continues to play. Petraeus feels that even after Osama bin Laden, his lieutenants will continue to run the show.

Col. (P) H.R. McMaster has been selected by the U.S. Central Command, Army Gen. David Petraeus to head the Joint Strategic Assessment Team (JSAT) within the jurisdiction of CENTCOM. JSAT will reassess the performance of the U.S. in Afghanistan and present solutions to the challenges being faced there.

A panel comprising David Kilcullen and Daniel Marston has outlined the reasons for the failure of the British Army to successfully tackle insurgency attacks in Iran and Afghanistan.

The U.S. Army Gen. David Petraeus speaks about the success the army has achieved in Iraq during reconstruction, counterinsurgency efforts and training of Iraqi soldiers. Petraeus further states that the surge is retreating as per plans but declined to comment on the reduction of forces to pre-surge levels.

The U.S. defense secretary's adviser on special operations has suggested changes in strategy that needs to be adopted in an effort to gain success in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Lt. Col. John Nagl, author of the counterinsurgency field manual opines that the U.S. Army needs to change its strategy to face irregular warfare tactics.

Lt. Gen. Ronald Burgess, acting U.S. Principal Deputy Director of National Intelligence (DNI), has given his views on the ongoing restructuring of the US intelligence community since the September 11, 2001, attacks and the 2004 Intelligence Reform Act. He has spoken about recruiting non-Caucasian Muslim-Americans, the impact of Robert Gates's confirmation as the next defense secretary on the Intelligence operations and the reduction in Intelligence workforce as experienced analysts are new retirement.

Influential retired generals, lawmakers, and conservative opinion shapers are calling for a bigger US Army despite pressure from the George W. Bush administration to 'stay the course' with existing end strength. Critics argue that it is becoming increasingly obvious that there is no quick exit from the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, and that continued commitment at existing levels threatens to break the back of the Army and restrict its ability to respond to other crises.

The U.S. Army plans to move the Armor Center and School from its traditional home at Fort Knox, Ky. and co-locate it with the Infantry Center to form Maneuver Center at Fort Benning, Ga. Maj. Gen Terry Tucker, the service's armor chief said the move will result in change of culture for both branches.

Some observers view the August 8, 2005 firing of General Kevin Byrnes, head of the US Army's Training and Doctrine Command (TRADOC), as a punishment disproportionate to the alleged offense. A retired senior Army leader said that Byrnes had received 'zero due process,' and not given an opportunity to present his side of the story before being relieved of command.

The U.S. Army is considering upgrading the Abrams tank so that it would prevail on battlefields for the next quarter century. Among changes under consideration for the near term are better protection for the tank's commander and loader while they fire their machine guns, and a new anti-personnel round for the Abrams' 120mm main gun, while the long-term upgrades include improved armor and a new main gun.

The U.S. Army is giving 16 Stryker vehicles to the 75th Ranger Regiment for use in Afghanistan in the year 2005. The Stryker, an Army common vehicle, would provide greater ground mobility capabilities for Ranger missions.

General Peter Schoomaker has the toughest post in the Pentagon, presiding over a service that is heavily involved in Afghanistan and Iraq, and is hence working to become more agile and sophisticated. He has reworked the massive Future Combat Systems, the service's largest program to introduce network concepts and is also changing the Army's force structure from ponderous divisions to modular brigades.

The author examines the investigation into a friendly fire case that took place during the Iraq war of 2003. Topics include use of Abrams M1 tanks, identification of personnel, and military strategy.

The author examines James Roche's changes of being nominated as the new U.S. Army Secretary. Topics include Mr. Roche's military background, duties required of the position, and political aspects of military appointments.

The U.S. Department of Defense is committed to outfitting at least four Stryker brigades for the Army. However, the DOD wants the armored, wheeled vehicle to have more capabilities. This concern is holding up the DOD's probably outfitting of an additional 2 brigades.

Officers in the U.S. Army look for new applications for artillery commanders and their weapons. Topics include the use of malodorant shells, the use of non-lethal stun rounds, and how the use of illuminant artillery could be of future use.

U.S. Army officials claim cuts to their programs are going to Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld's pet projects. According to Army officials unnecessary cuts have been made to Stryker brigades, funding for testing of Future Combat Systems, and forced reductions in the number of helicopters the Army buys.

U.S. Army National Guard to replace one-third of its armored vehicles as part of restructuring plan to meet the needs of homeland security. Army officials say the Guard will replace up to 3,000 armored vehicles, tanks, and armored personnel carriers, with Highly Mobility Multi-Purpose Wheeled Vehicles.

There is concern within the US Department of Defense that the planned Stryker armored-vehicle may not be easily transportable on the widely used C-130 airlifter. The vehicle can fit within a C-130 but there are significant range and combat load issues.

The head of the opposition forces in the major US wargame Millennium Challege 2002, Gen. Paul Van Riper, resigned command during the exercise and retired from the Marine Corps. He alleges that the exercise was scripted in a way to fix the results.