Field support in Afghanistan

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In Afghanistan, around 140,000 US and NATO troops are fighting the resurgent Taliban. That’s almost double the number that were there when President Obama came into office. This influx of forces has come in a short period of time. 30,000 them have arrived in just the past eight months, that’s put a strain on the troops who build the bases and keep the supplies coming. The World’s Ben Gilbert has the story. (Photo: Ben Gilbert) Download MP3

• BBC coverage
• Multimedia: Ben Gilbert’s photos from Kandahar Airfield
• Audio report: Stabilizing Afghanistan

NATO causes more civilian deaths in Afghanistan

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At least 27 civilians died in a NATO air strike in southern Afghanistan, the Afghan cabinet says. NATO said it hit a suspected insurgent convoy, but ground forces later found “a number of individuals killed and wounded”, including women and children. Civilian deaths in strikes have caused widespread resentment in Afghanistan. Matthew Bell reports. Download MP3 (Photo: POOL/AFP/Getty Images)

• BBC coverage
• Foreign forces in Afghanistan
• Afghan civilians scared by US effort to stop roadside bombs

Afghanistan conference

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Afghan forces will begin taking control of security in some of the country’s provinces by the end of 2010, a key summit on its future has pledged. In a statement at the end of the one-day meeting, delegates said the process would be complete within five years. The summit encouraged more contributions but gave no firm figures. Marco Werman talks with Afghanistan’s finance minister Omar Zakhilwal, who attended the London conference. Download MP3 (Photo: Anthony Devlin/AFP/Getty Images)

• BBC coverage
• Best of the BBC: Michael Semple and the Taliban
• Background Brief: Taliban insurgency

German elections

German Chancellor Angela Merkel has outlined plans to form a swift coalition with the Free Democrats after a major win in the general election. Merkel said the result was a great vote of trust, and that a government would be formed by November. Voters were concerned about Germany’s involvement in Afghanistan and the bad economy.