Afghan poll hints at growing optimism

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Most Afghans are increasingly optimistic about the state of their country, a poll commissioned by the BBC, ABC News and Germany’s ARD shows. Of more than 1,500 Afghans questioned, 70% said they believed Afghanistan was going in the right direction – a big jump from 40% a year ago. Jeb Sharp talks with the BBC’s Mark Dummett in Kabul. Download MP3 (Photo: Deshakalyan Chowdhury/AFP/Getty Images)

• BBC coverage
• Full survey (pdf)

Afghan dam project in peril

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Kajaki Dam project in Southern Afghanistan is a symbol of US involvement in the country going back to the 1950s. In recent years, the project has been a priority for international development efforts, but the Taliban insurgency has put the success of the dam at risk. Washington’s foreign aid agency USAID has now put the Kajaki project on hold amid security concerns. Matthew Bell has the story. Download MP3

• BBC coverage
• USAID in Afghanistan
• Background Brief: Taliban insurgency

Germany’s top general quits over Afghanistan raid

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Germany’s top soldier has resigned over allegations of a cover-up related to a deadly NATO air strike in Afghanistan. The strike on Sep 4, ordered by a German commander, targeted two fuel tankers hijacked by Taliban militants. But dozens of civilians were also killed in the attack in the northern province of Kunduz. Gerry Hadden looks into the German role in Afghanistan. Download MP3

• BBC coverage
• The Taliban insurgency
• Inside the Taliban
• Katy Clark on what if the US loses in Afghanistan
• Jeb Sharp on the mission in Afghanistan

How to succeed in Afghanistan

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President Obama is to announce his long-awaited decision on Afghanistan on Tuesday. It’s still not clear what he’ll say in his prime-time speech but yesterday the president said he will “finish the job” in Afghanistan. We ask experts on war and security how we will know when the job is done. Download MP3

• The Taliban insurgency
• Inside the Taliban
• Katy Clark on what if the US loses in Afghanistan
• Jeb Sharp on the mission in Afghanistan
• Jeb Sharp’s award winning series ‘How Wars End’

British inquiry into Iraq war

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The man in charge of the official British inquiry examining events surrounding the Iraq war has said his committee will not produce a report that is a “whitewash.” John Chilcot has promised to produce a “full and insightful” account. Evidence from senior government figures will start on Tuesday and politicians, including former Prime Minister Tony Blair will be expected to testify in due time. Laura Lynch reports. Download MP3

• BBC coverage
• FAQ British Iraq inquiry

Iraq situation report

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Iraqi officials have raised the death toll from Sunday’s bombings in Baghdad to 155. The co-ordinated attacks were Baghdad’s bloodiest since April 2007. There are fears that such attacks could become more frequent again. The World’s Jason Margolis takes a look at what’s been going on in Iraq. Download MP3

• BBC coverage
• Back to the bad old days for Iraq?

India’s Maoist insurgency

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India is preparing to strike at Maoist rebels. The 40-year-long Maoist insurgency has claimed more than 600 lives just this year. The BBC’s Tinku Ray traveled to a village in the southern state of Andhra Pradesh. It used to be under Maoist control but the government has taken it back. Download MP3

• BBC coverage

India’s stake in Afghanistan

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The Taliban says it carried out a suicide bombing near the Indian embassy in Kabul, Afghanistan, killing at least 17 people. India believes its embassy was the target – if confirmed, it would be the second attack on the embassy in just over a year. The World’s Matthew Bell looks at what’s at stake for India in the Afghanistan war. Download MP3

• India: Afghanistan’s influential ally
• In pictures: Kabul attack

Iraq bomb attacks

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At least four bombs have exploded in Iraq, killing about 40 people and wounding more than 200. The attacks come a month after U.S. troops pulled back from cities and handed over security to Iraqi soldiers. The World has the latest from Iraq. >>> Click here for the latest updates from the BBC.

US warns against aiding Somali militants

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Somalia’s al-Shahab militants, who are accused of having links to al-Qaeda, are trying to overthrow the country’s transitional government, and are growing in strength. And it appears they are getting help from nearby countries, including Eritrea. Today, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton warned that the US will “take action” against Eritrea if it does not stop supporting militants. Eritrea denies funding the insurgency in Somalia. The World’s Katy Clark reports. (AP Photo/Mohamed Sheikh Nor) >>>Click here for the latest BBC coverage.

Deadly explosion in Baghdad

Six days before US combat troops are scheduled to withdraw from Iraqi urban areas, another deadly explosion hits Baghdad. More than 55 are reported killed. Anchor Lisa Mullins speaks with the BBC’s Jim Muir. Listen