Observers express concern that parliamentary elections in 2010 could be more costly and convoluted than presidential election
Many analysts are calling fighting in Afghanistan, 'President Obama's War'; most agree Pakistan's role is essential
Members of Congress received classified briefing on Wednesday on war in Afghanistan from two Obama administration officials
US VP says Obama administration focused on improving Pakistan's stability
Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman Admiral Mike Mullen arrived in Kabul hours after killing of at least 16 Afghan policemen
Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Admiral Michael Mullen says initial elements of surge will begin arriving in Afghanistan next week
President Obama says starting in July 2011, US forces will begin the 'transition' giving Afghans greater responsibility for security
General Stanley McChrystal, US Ambassador to Afghanistan Karl Eikenberry conclude week of testimony before Congress
US Defense Secretary Robert Gates says relationship is one 'forged in blood'
Eight years into war, US trainers contend with language, cultural, equipment gaps
Plan to transfer security responsibility to Afghan forces is centerpiece of President Obama's revised Afghanistan strategy
US defense secretary in Kabul tells Afghan leaders they need to move faster to increase the size, competence of their security forces
Analysts say the new Afghan strategy is largely a refined but less ambitious version of earlier policy review
Pentagon officials also predict decision to send 30,000 additional troops to Afghanistan will increase violence and casualties
Defense Secretary says transition to Afghan control of security operations will begin in country's more stable regions
After several months of deliberation, President Obama announces his plan for deploying additional troops to Afghanistan
25 NATO countries, other contributors pledge about 7,000 additional troops to supplement new US force commitment to Afghanistan
Defense Secretary Gates, Secretary of State Clinton, and Chairman of Joint Chiefs of Staff Admiral Michael Mullen testify in Congress
Analysts also say economic leverage should be used to help end corruption in the Afghan government
Analysts say the troop surge with deadline might reassure the region
NATO says more than 20 countries plan to increase troop levels in Afghanistan
National Security Adviser says key thrusts of strategy involve security, good governance at national, provincial leve
US defense secretary defends President Barack Obama's new Afghanistan strategy at a congressional hearing
National Guard soldiers across US preparing for future deployments to help meet demand for 30,000 additional troops
News of the Afghanistan buildup comes less than a month after a deadly shooting incident at Fort Hood that left 13 people dead
Analysts say there is hope, but also skepticism about US plans in Afghanistan and region
Kabul responds positively to President Obama's plan, but reactions from ordinary Afghans are mixed
Some support sending more troops to Afghanistan, others oppose plan
Deployment of another 30,000 US troops has far-reaching strategic implications for global effort to defeat violent extremists
Mr. Obama's focus on Afghanistan began during the 2008 presidential campaign when he visited the country for the first time
Infrastructure to support troops already strained ahead of US troop buildup
