Afghanistan, October, 2009

Over the past month in Afghanistan it became clear that a Presidential runoff vote between President Hamid Karzai and challenger Abdullah Abdullah would need to take place. The Obama administration continued to deliberate on whether to commit further troops to the conflict, and at least 46 U.S. service members were killed, including 14 in two separate helicopter crashes today. A recent U.N. report recorded 1,500 Afghan civilian deaths in the first six months of 2009 alone, describing this as the deadliest year for civilians in Afghanistan since the start of the U.S.-led war against Taliban eight years ago. Collected here are some images of the country and conflict over the past month, part of an ongoing monthly series on Afghanistan. (43 photos total)

An Afghan carpenter holds his prayer beads in front of his shop in Kabul October 19, 2009. (REUTERS/Ahmad Masood)

An Afghan girl stands on a hill at a cemetery as the UN-backed Independent Election Commission (IEC) comes out with their long awaited results on October 19, 2009 in Kabul, Afghanistan. Afghanistan's Electoral Complaints Commission (ECC) stated that, with votes from 210 polling stations thrown out due to allegations of fraud in the August 20 presidential election, President Hamid Karzai's percent of the vote fell to 48, just under the 50 percent needed to avoid a run-off election, which could force President Hamid Karzai to accept a possible run-off against his top challenger Abdullah Abdullah. (Paula Bronstein /Getty Images) #

A crew member with the U.S. Army's Task Force Talon shows a fresh bullet hole, torn through the blade of a Black Hawk medevac helicopter which had been shot at and hit twice minutes earlier on a mission, in Helmand province, southern Afghanistan, Friday, Oct. 23, 2009. (AP Photo/Brennan Linsley) #

In this image taken on October 18, 2009, young Afghan day labourers Amin, 13 (R) and his brother Taza, 12 (L) make bricks on the outskirts of Kabul. The thousands of neatly-stacked sandy bricks baked in these coal-fired ovens are in high demand in the capital and across Afghanistan, as the country tries to rebuild after three decades of destructive conflict. (SHAH MARAI/AFP/Getty Images) #

MacAidan Gallegos, 5, receives a flag from Brigadier General Sean MacFarland as Amanda Doyle, MacAidan's mother, watches during the funeral services for Army Sgt. Justin Gallegos at Evergreen Cemetery in Tucson, Ariz. Thursday, Oct. 15, 2009. The Department of Defense says Gallegos was one of eight U.S. soldiers killed in Afghanistan Saturday, Oct. 3, 2009 during a fight with insurgents in a remote area near the Pakistan border. (AP Photo/Arizona Daily Star, Mamta Popat) #

Some of the regional campaign managers of Abdullah Abdullah, former Afghan foreign minister who ran against President Hamid Karzai in last August's vote, leave after a meeting in preparations for the Nov. 7 run-off presidential election in Kabul, Afghanistan on Thursday, Oct. 22, 2009. (AP Photo/Musadeq Sadeq) #

Head of U.S. and NATO forces in Afghanistan, U.S. Gen. Stanley McChrystal, works on his laptop onboard a C-130 aircraft after attending a meeting with Commanders of Regional Command - North and Afghan National Security Force, ANSF, delegation in Mazar-e-Sharif, north of Kabul, Afghanistan, Wednesday, Oct. 21, 2009. (AP Photo/Altaf Qadri) #

An Afghan police officer wears bullet belts patrols in Kunduz, Afghanistan on October 22, 2009. (MICHAEL KAPPELER/AFP/Getty Images) #

A rural Pashtun boy stands next to his home at sunrise October 14, 2009 in Paktika Province, Afghanistan. Soldiers of the 1/501 scoured the Afghan countryside near the Pakistani border on a two-day mission into a tense part of Paktika province, an area that American soldiers had not patrolled for over three years. The troops were looking suspected Taliban weapons stores and hideouts. (Chris Hondros/Getty Images) #

Afghan National Army Air Corps pilot Baktullah learns modern aviation tactics and procedures inside an Mi-17 helicopter simulator October 21, 2009 at the Kabul International Airport military base in Kabul, Afghanistan. The four year old Afghan National Army Air Corps is part of the ANA with 2,800 soldiers. (Paula Bronstein/Getty Images) #

Soldiers from The Royal Scots Borderers say goodbye to their loved ones as they depart from Dreghorn Barracks for a six month tour of Afghanistan on September 30, 2009 in Edinburgh, Scotland. Around one hundred soldiers from the battalions B company will be deployed to the Helmand Province area for the first time. (Jeff J Mitchell/Getty Images) #

From right to left Arazo, 19, Tabasum, 20, and Shamayal, 25, who fled from abusive family members, stand for a picture in Kabul on Tuesday, Sept. 29, 2009. Afghanistan is poised to enact legislation that will outlaw the trading of women to settle a debt, spousal abuse and child marriages along with other violence targeting women - a bittersweet victory in a country where many victims say they don't expect laws to change such traditional practices, but one that its backers say nudges forward women's rights. (AP Photo/Farzana Wahidy) #

US Marines from Fox Company 2nd Battalion 3rd Marines and Afghan National Army soldiers patrol as a controlled detonation explodes in the distance, during day four of Operation Germinate into the restive Bhuji Bhast Pass in Farah Province, southern Afghanistan, on October 10, 2009. (DAVID FURST/AFP/Getty Images) #

The worn boot of a soldier in the 1/501st of the 25th Infantry Division is seen October 14, 2009 in Paktika Province, Afghanistan. The soldiers were looking for the highest ground to camp out for the night, to protect themselves from attack from known Taliban cells in the area. (Chris Hondros/Getty Images) #

A US Marine from Fox Company 2nd Battalion 3rd Marines takes a break from searching house-to-house during day three of Operation Germinate into the restive Bhuji Bhast Pass in Farah Province, southern Afghanistan, on October 9, 2009. (DAVID FURST/AFP/Getty Images) #

Canadian artillery gunners illuminated by a full moon prepare to reload their weapon in the Panjwaii district of Kandahar province, October 3, 2009. (REUTERS/Finbarr O'Reilly) #

Two Afghan women hold hands as they walk through a marketplace in Kabul, Afghanistan, Tuesday, Oct. 20, 2009. (AP Photo/Altaf Qadri) #

Rescue workers recover a body at the scene of a suicide bombing on October 8, 2009 in Kabul, Afghanistan. The explosion left 12 people dead and over 60 injured during what local authorities say was a targeted attack on the Indian embassy in Kabul. (David Goldman/Getty Images) #

Afghan National Army soldier Nor Lai,20, recovers from shrapnel wounds to his face at the ANA Military hospital October 23, 2009 Kabul, Afghanistan. An IED hit their vehicle while the soldiers were on patrol in Kajaki district of Helmand killing one and injuring 7 soldiers. The military hospital gives medical care to all the Afghan military and police as well as civilians. (Paula Bronstein/Getty Images) #

Asan Bibi, 9, (R) and her sister Salima,13, (L) stand in the hallway of Mirwais hospital October 13, 2009 Kandahar, Afghanistan. Both were badly burned when a helicopter fired into their tent in the middle of the night on October 3rd, according to their father. Three members of the family were killed in the incident. The family belongs to the Kuchi ethnic tribe, nomads living in tents out in the open desert whom are very vulnerable to a war they have little understanding of. (Paula Bronstein/Getty Images) #

Seven-year-old Attiullah poses in front of an x-ray of the bullet that entered the small boy's back coming out through his chest standing by his bed at Mirwais hospital October 13, 2009 Kandahar, Afghanistan. According to his grandfather, Attiullah was shot by U.S forces as he was walking in the field near his home in the village of Sangissar, Panjway district watching the family's flock of sheep. The soldiers apparently shot at a vehicle that was supposedly Taliban and the boy was hit accidentally. (Paula Bronstein/Getty Images) #

Haji Abdul Hamid rests after his physical therapy session using his new prosthetics at the Handicapped International clinic inside the Mirwais hospital compound October 11, 2009 in Kandahar, Afghanistan. Haji lost both of his legs from a IED blast along a road in Helmand over a year ago. He was injured while riding on his motorcycle along with his brother-in-law who was killed. (Paula Bronstein/Getty Images) #

US Army soldiers in the 1/501st of the 25th Infantry Division shield their faces from the powerful rotor wash of a Chinook cargo helicopter as they are picked up from a mission October 15, 2009 in Paktika Province, Afghanistan. (Chris Hondros/Getty Images) #

Afghan men sit, detained after they were caught by US Marines from Fox Company 2nd Battalion 3rd Marines with substances used to make IEDs, during day four of Operation Germinate into the restive Bhuji Bhast Pass in Farah Province, southern Afghanistan, on October 10, 2009. (DAVID FURST/AFP/Getty Images) #

An Afghan child is vaccinated against polio during a polio eradication campaign in Jalalabad, Nangarhar province, east of Kabul, Afghanistan, Monday, Oct. 12, 2009. Around 7.7 million Afghan children are going to be vaccinated in a three days of a polio vaccination drive, launched by Afghan Health Ministry with the cooperation of the World Health Organization and the United Nations Children's Fund in the country. (AP Photo/Rahmat Gul) #

An Afghan boy runs with balloons to join his friends in dusty alley in Kabul, Afghanistan, Sunday, Oct. 25, 2009. (AP Photo/ Gemunu Amarasinghe) #

A horse-drawn caisson carries the remains of Army Capt. Ronald G. Luce, Jr., who was with 20th Special Forces Group, walking behind is widow Kendahl Shoemaker, and daughter Carle E. Luce, during funeral services at Arlington Cemetery in Arlington, Va., Wednesday, Oct. 21, 2009. Luce, 27, of Fayetteville, N.C., was killed Aug. 2 by a roadside bomb in Qole Gerdsar, Afghanistan. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon) #

An Afghan roadside banana vendor waits for customers in Kabul, Afghanistan, Wednesday, Sept. 30, 2009. (AP Photo/Altaf Qadri) #

US Army Specialist Kingsley (L), of 2nd Platoon, Baker Company, 2-12 Infantry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, fires on enemy positions as Private First Class Kicklighter (R) ducks behind his machine gun during an ambush at the village of Lanyal in the Korengal Valley, Kunar Province, eastern Afghanistan on October 20, 2009. (SIMON LIM/AFP/Getty Images) #

A German soldier mans a checkpoint in Balkh, Afghanistan on October 15, 2009. The soldiers and police are taking part in the Focused District Development (FDD) program where Afghan Police are been trained to take over the responsibilty for security. (MICHAEL KAPPELER/AFP/Getty Images) #

A man who is deemed insane is seen chained to a wall during his 40-day incarceration in a room at the Mia Ali Baba Shrine in Jalalabad, Nangarhar province, east of Kabul, Afghanistan, on Wednesday, Sept. 30, 2009. It is believed that 40 days in chains and a restricted diet at the 300-year old shrine can cure the mentally ill and those possessed by djinns, or spirits. (AP Photo/Rahmat Gul) #

Customers at a restaurant at Kandahar military base seek cover following a rocket alert on October 10, 2009. The military facility with more than 30,000 mostly military personnel is the southern base of the NATO-led International Security Assistance Force for Afghanistan the coalition fighting the Taliban insurgency together with the Afghan security forces. (ROMEO GACAD/AFP/Getty Images) #

A former Taliban militant covers his face during a ceremony in which weapons were handed over to the Afghan government in the city of Herat province west of Kabul, Afghanistan, Wednesday, Oct. 14, 2009. Around 50 Taliban militants from Herat province handed over their weapons as part of a peace-reconciliation program. (AP Photo/Fraidoon Pooyaa) #

During a firefight with Taliban militants U.S. Marine Lance Cpl. Jordan Christie, of Washington, Ind. with 3rd Platoon, Bravo Company, 1st Battalion 5th Marines sprints down an irrigation canal to a location to launch his rocket in Nawa district, Helmand province, southern Afghanistan, Sunday, Oct. 4, 2009. Taliban militants attacked the Marines on patrol using assault rifles, medium machine guns, and snipers. (AP Photo/Brennan Linsley) #

Afghan university students shout anti-US slogans during a demonstration on October 25, 2009 in Kabul, Afghanistan. Afghans gathered in the capital at a mass protest, burning an effigy of US President Barack Obama, after allegations were made that Western troops fighting the Taliban desecrated a copy of the Quran. (Majid/Getty Images) #

Photo made with the use of a night vision device shows German soldiers partol at night in Faizabad on October 17, 2009. (MICHAEL KAPPELER/AFP/Getty Images) #

A US Marine reads a copy of Atlantic magazine as he rides on a CH-53 helicopter flying over Helmand Province, southern Afghanistan, on October 12, 2009. (DAVID FURST/AFP/Getty Images) #

A dog, trained for dog-fighting, painted in orange stripes, pulls his master on a walk in Kabul, Afghanistan, Sunday, Oct. 25, 2009. (AP Photo/ Gemunu Amarasinghe) #

Pupils of the second year of the Turgani school sit in their classroom during a lesson on October 20, 2009 in Faizabad, Afghanistan. The teachers of this school are trained within two years at the Teacher Training Center, which is currently housed in rundown buildings and tents. The Center is being rebuilt with means provided by the German Ministry of Foreign Affairs. (MICHAEL KAPPELER/AFP/Getty Images) #

German soldiers patrol in Mazar-i-Sharif on October 16, 2009. More than 4000 German troops are serving in the NATO-led International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) in Afghanstan. (MICHAEL KAPPELER/AFP/Getty Images) #

Maj. Xavier Miller of the New Mexico National Guard, second from right, leads family members and workers in burying Sgt. 1st Class Kenneth W. Westbrook at the veterans' section of the Shiprock, N.M. Community Cemetery on Friday, Oct. 16, 2009. Westbrook was wounded Sept. 8 when insurgents attacked his unit in the Ganjigal Valley in Afghanistan. (AP Photo/The Daily Times, Xavier Mascare�as) #

An Afghan boy jumps to cross a stream, in Surabhi, some 100 kms from Kabul, Afghanistan, Wednesday, Oct. 7, 2009. (AP Photo/Altaf Qadri) #

Mohammad Dawood, who makes his living by engraving names on the grave stones, works in his shop on the outskirts of Kabul, Afghanistan, Friday, Oct. 2, 2009. (AP Photo/Altaf Qadri) #

More links and information

14 Americans Die in Afghan Helicopter Crashes - NYTimes.com, 10/26

Afghan Election Rests on the Backs of Donkeys NYTimes.com Faizabad Journal, 10/25

NATO Ministers Endorse Wider Afghan Effort - NYTimes.com, 10/23

Insurgents Share a Name, but Pursue Different Goals NYTimes.com, 10/22

< Back to front page

War is bad. Hate is bad. Sometimes war is necessary, but hate isn't. Remember 9/11. The USA was attacked just like Pearl Harbor in 1941. It will take the support of American people to finish this war, which the USA did not start. If you hate America, go to Iraq, Iran, or Afghanistan and you'll see different.

Posted by Charles October 26, 09 09:01 PM

Picture 25 is notable. Whatever may happen in Afghanistan in the long run, here is a window of opportunity seized by WHO and UNCF to wage war on an enemy that knows no territorial boundaries and is no respecter of creeds.

Posted by Bonnie October 26, 09 09:38 PM

sadness

Posted by feng October 26, 09 10:02 PM

When this just end?
We need to live....

Posted by Nabeel Kadhim Abbood October 26, 09 10:46 PM

#20 - that's the most terrible thing I've ever seen

Posted by Daniel October 26, 09 11:17 PM

Another great set.

#23 is especially good from a photography technique standpoint. Perfect cropping and composition, and amazing timing.

Posted by Ryan Morris October 26, 09 11:36 PM

If a picture is indeed worth of thousand words, then no. 20 would be the definition of wars NOT worth fighting for.

It's sad to see people hurt and die because of war, a war without significant purpose.

Posted by Rob October 26, 09 11:43 PM

This is kind of a misleading caption: " The four year old Afghan National Army Air Corps".

The Afghan National Army Air Corps was first established in 1920s under King Amanullah.

And by the early 1990, Afghanistan had the largest air force and most trained airmen and women in Central Asia, and form the looks of it the pilot Baktullah was once part of that force.

But you fail to state what happened to the Afghan air force?

In 1992, they were discharged by the "freedom fighters" aka "Mujaheddin"/warlords, backed by the US and all hell broke loose in a bloody civil war.

Posted by Farhad October 27, 09 12:28 AM

Mother Earth has been knocked up for the umpteenth time...
Democracy is irrelevant in streets where the Taliban parade...
Politicians and middle-men who are the decision makers, must care and consider for the brave young honorable men sacrificing their life for their country and not for the irrational decisions that blokes sitting beside their fireplace make :)

"When you're out on the front line and you're watching them fall, it doesn't take long to realize it ain't worth fighting for" this type of a mindset should never set into the minds of soldiers...

Posted by RRarsenal October 27, 09 01:31 AM

43. You haven't seen anything if you think #20 is the most terrible thing you've ever seen. I hope you are spared.

Posted by Mahal October 27, 09 01:42 AM

#23 is great...it's like every piece is moving while being captured in camera. nice shot!

Posted by -Engel- October 27, 09 01:49 AM

Frank the Tank: I think it's pretty obvious that adriapifarre is not American (hence, "go back to your country"). Also, enough with this RUBBISH about soldiers fighting so that people back home can be free to say things. The Taliban is no threat to our way of life whatsoever and the threat from Al Qaeda is massively overblown.

I will have pride in our armed forces just as soon as they stop fighting in other people's countries against a nebulous, ever-shifting enemy that can't possibly be adequately fought by conventional means. All this is nothing but a shadow boxing exercise. These wars have nothing to do with defending our freedoms. Wake up yourself.

Posted by Matt October 27, 09 01:53 AM

Anyone else notice the spent cartridges mid-air in #29 ? There is one just exiting the gun of the soldier on the left and another above and to the right of the soldier on the right. I like how that photo shows that not all fire fights are not in a huge flat sandbox like some seem to believe.

Posted by Cory October 27, 09 02:14 AM

to all you americans defending this (and any war) and Todd in particular:
what are you talking about?? do you even have a passport? you guys need education as badly as the afghan girls. you think your troops bring people democracy and freedom...you don't even have democracy and freedom in your own country (nor do we in germany, i have to admit but that's another story) They didn't leave you alone, Todd?? Wake up boy. The west is always right, they are always wrong. That's an all too easy equation. Maybe we should have given them hope instead of pepsi, a reason to live, a future. Your own country created this monster. even if you would only have watched "Rambo" and "Charlie Wilson's War" you should have realised what our so called democracies have done to this region in the last 30-40 years. And honestly looking at our modern pop-culture with porn and ultimate-fighting and gangster rap and spring break and wall st breakdown, with no more morals and respect for anything...i wonder who's right and who's wrong, Todd. But then how should you know?? With Foxtel as your only source of information...poor thing :(

Posted by Marco October 27, 09 02:47 AM

ISAF is not only about killing. Our folks in Logar province Czech PRT team have initiated building of several schools, repaired irrigation canals, provided potable water for locals. The construction itself is beng done by local construction companies, so the wealth stays in Afghanistan. We also have casualties, IED, gunfire, you name it. These guys are heroes to me. They are protecting PRT workers so they can do the good for Afghans. And Afghan people are grateful for what Czechs are doing for them in that area. We fight to rebuild, literally!
There are other PRT's in Afghanistan and I am pretty sure they are doing a fine job in returning the war-torn country into place where decent life could be lived.

Anyone asking to our forces to leave Afghanistan is driving Afghan people back to Taliban's medieval times as women get opressed, education shrinks to Koran memorising.

So go on.

Posted by Schmouddle October 27, 09 03:43 AM

To Todd(27), you do know that invading Afghanistan has everything to do with making sure oil trade routes are controlled do you?
It's people like you they made believe its because of 9/11 they had to invade a country that was in such poor shape. The USA/UK(and couple of hundred Dutchmen) have no business there and should leave.

Everybody talks about rolled up flags being offered to little children, well big deal! I wonder if you guys had the stomach to look at photo nr 20!!!

Great pictures as always, if you keep planting seeds like this someday it'll make sense to war-loving politicians.

Posted by Willem-v-Oranje October 27, 09 04:13 AM

No Democracy. We just want Islam?? And these are their university students?? This does not bode well for the efforts of the ISAF. I am completing my third tour in Iraq and I understand the political difficulties here, but at least most of the people here understand democracy and the democratic process is generally supported by the educated class. I don't think the Afghan people will appreciate democracy until they see more of the benefits (i.e., public services and public works) that a strong central government can provide. I just hope that the NATO countries remain dedicated to this cause to bring stability to this region.

Posted by Captain R October 27, 09 04:29 AM

only stupid and sad...

Posted by michael October 27, 09 04:37 AM

No to democracy and yes to Islam... ... ... ... ... ... ?!?!?!?!??!!??!?!?!?!?!? Islamic people cmon, I want to see some more sense from your side of the world.

Posted by Shane October 27, 09 04:40 AM

As I scrolled thorough these pictures, I found myself looking at them very differently than any of you. The pictures that contained 2nd Battalion 3rd Marines Fox Company were pictures of my husband's men. I found myself scanning the faces of these individuals (if visible) hoping to catch a glimpse of the man I love.

I sit here tonight, counting the days until he is safely home with me again. I see these pictures, and I have seen my husband come home from war before. I know the destruction it does to him. I will not preach at you as to if the war is right/just or if people are being treated fairly and equally, or about your right to say everything you have said.

I merely ask this. Think before you post. Think if that picture contained the person you love most in this world, how you would feel if you read a hurtful comment regarding your loved one.

Just because saying something is your right, doesn't mean it is appropriate.

And kudos on the photo quality, these shots are nothing short of amazing.

Posted by Heather October 27, 09 05:04 AM

Make love not war. please.........

Posted by Piotrek POLAND October 27, 09 06:23 AM

Boz, you are so unaware!!

Posted by paolo October 27, 09 06:37 AM

#11 is also disturbing... a pacifier hooked on the finger... what a way to leave family to fight for nothing...
#20 is just too brutal...

Posted by siil October 27, 09 07:30 AM

I love these photos and also the previous photos from afghanistan. I love the photos where you see afghan people and European /american soldiers working together. Makes me feel that we actually can make a difference for these people and put a stop to the terrible taliban regime.

Thanks for the photos, awsome as always

Posted by T-Mode October 27, 09 08:48 AM

OBAMA, please, stop the war!

Posted by F�bio October 27, 09 09:05 AM

Nr 20 is just heartbreaking too look at. I cannot begin to imagine what it must be like to live in a war torn country...

Posted by atreyu October 27, 09 09:14 AM

#42 ... i think he didn't make it to the other side....

Posted by pepe October 27, 09 09:24 AM

Now whose the real victim.....

Posted by Jeryl October 27, 09 09:35 AM

The picture with the balloons is simply amazing.

Posted by alex October 27, 09 10:04 AM

Heather (post #58). Good luck to your husband as I hope he sees this side of the pond again very soon. Thank you as well for your post. I think that the internet has unfortunately led to everyone thinking they are entitled to an opinion, and that their particular opinion has no effect on others.

To everyone els.
It is a shame to see hateful comments towards soldiers. I do not drink the 9/11 Kool-Aid as the reason for war, and so be it. That didn't stop me from stepping up and enlisting for the Army and becoming an officer. I am doing this to serve the needs of the country that does give us a lot of opportunity. How can you hate someone that is doing the job that every American male used to be forced to do? They volunteered so that you could stay home. Please just remember that very fact at least. This war would be fought no matter what, so be glad it is them, the proud soldiers/marines/airmen/etc. and not yourselves.

This war will continue. Instead of begging on some comment section of a picture page that you want the war to end, go do something about it. Until then, your comments are nothing to the government. However, as Heather put it so well, it may effect others here.

Whatever happened to respect for the fellow man/woman/child?

Posted by Sam G October 27, 09 10:23 AM

Thanks Nate (comment 37) for your views, I think people who have been in Afghanistan need to be listened to and their views are worthwhile. Of course you are right, you simply cannot bring peace through war and all you achieve is creating future enemies regardless of how well intentioned the motives. It is great to see the advancement in polio treatment, in rights for women but unforunately the damage done elsewhere, often from simple mistakes, undermines the good.

#9 is a very compelling shot, those eyes show a lot of pain and anguish.

Posted by Kieran October 27, 09 10:32 AM

bradley, you think the man was building the IED...and still lived to blame it on an active war going outside his home? he would have been the first one in the family to blow up. you're blaming him...and you're lying to yourself to make you feel ok about what's going on there. but don't lie to us with your imaginary conclusions. this is one major weakness of the war strategy...stop hurting innocent people and you will have less enemies...have more targeted and crafted attacks.

i also don't like the stupid comment by #16 Mike...dog fighting bring back the taliban? it's so easy to make such grand statements to get your point across that you don't like dogs hurt. so bring back tyrants to hurt the whole country. you have no clue about human pain to be so concerned with the pain of a poor animal.

Posted by seena October 27, 09 11:11 AM

Matt- you silly silly man. How could you possibly think the Taliban and AL Qaeda are not a threat to the U.S. when 3 terrorist plots where foiled in the past 3 months. Hope you enjoy waking up everyday and doing whatever you please, your welcome. And like i said to the first America hater on this thread...just leave, you have the freedom too but you dont. Instead you sit there enjoying all the freedoms you have but you still complain. Grow up.

In the words of John Rich "I see people on the TV taking shots at Uncle Same, I just hope they rrremember why they can."

Posted by Frank the Tank October 27, 09 11:20 AM

At #57
I`m a Muslim living in a democratic islamic country. It`s called Gaza.
Mohammed (PBUH) called for "Shoura" (and he used to do it); which is asking people about their opinions before taking decisions.

PS: "Shoura" is written "شورى" in Arabic.
If you want to know anything about Islam, read it/take it from the sources that most Muslims agree that it`s valid.

A man called " Qaradawi" or "قرضاوي", who is the head of Muslim Scientists Union, is a great source.

Posted by Mohammed Saleh October 27, 09 12:40 PM

Seena, I said I think that is what happened, I'm not lying to anyone. It looks like those are phosphorus burns. They use old soviet rounds to made IEDs, and they usually make them in their house. You also have no idea what that man looks like, he could be just as burned.

Posted by Bradley October 27, 09 01:11 PM

Stop this fcking war!

Posted by PEACE October 27, 09 02:46 PM

A well thought-out selection of images.
Thank you for taking the time to make them easily available for the general public to view.

Powerful, emotion-evoking images (especially #21)

Posted by Joshua October 27, 09 03:15 PM

The pictures were taken professionally. Some are simply telling the truth. TRUTH ....... The 1st thing to vanish in a war. I don't know what my thoughts are on getting out of this war.I'm in need of more info and pictures tell a thousand words. I have met some men that were in it,they don't want to talk about it, but all the people, soldiers, or not, suspect there is more to this than democrazy,and and freedoms for the people.
Not to mention this but who started it?

Posted by Casandra Jones October 27, 09 03:21 PM

PEACE IF YOU WANT IT

Posted by . October 27, 09 03:34 PM

#38 That's some meanlooking dog

Posted by Mohammed Al Abassi October 27, 09 03:55 PM

Peace. Why America always go to other people's country and kill innocent people and pretend to be a hero?

hero of what? of killing innocent people? Want oil? Want power? Want their properties?

Why still not thankful to God of what you have got?

Please American soldiers, you are good but you've been fooled by your government, that was controlled by Illuminati

Open your mind and please behave as a human, not as a robot

Peace , love and justice for all

Posted by Neezhom Photographic October 27, 09 06:39 PM

I feel worst about the afghan girls. In all the pictures I've seen through the years, most of them are absolutely beautiful, yet they are trapped in a place that their beauty is rewarded by nothing except death, rape, violence and abuse.

Posted by alish October 27, 09 06:42 PM

Marco, warst Du in Afghanistan????????Wenn nicht, muss ich Dir leider sagen, dass du ungebildet bist wie diese armen Maedels und Frauen dort seit Jahrhunderten missbraucht, verachtet, als Kinder verkauft an den Meistbietenden und an Freitag gesteinigt, wenn nicht ins Regime passend.....sei vorsichtig mit Deinen europaeischen gepraegten Ansichten.....wie bereits mehrmals erwaehnt, gibt es leider nicht nur eine Wahrheit......neben der Wahrheit nach power, oel usw....

As well as for Nr.79 ......was the life of your girls, women, mothers and grandmothers so "innocent".......you might want to think twice - about the deeds of fathers, brothers and husbands......I have seen it....and it made me terribly terribly sick............
Believe it or not...there are things happening in this countries which apparently all the good pacifist either don't want to know - or are just to superficial to acknowledge.

I am for PEACE - AGAINST WAR......I also believe that this country is not ready for Democracy yet, because they are not educated and ready for it. There is much to learn for them and steps to make before this...But this also doesn't mean for Christ sake's that we just close our eyes on their cruel and middleaged behavior towards half their society and sit in front our fire places, enjoy our good democratic life styles and our starbucks and muffins and tell ourselves that this is none of our buisness or concerns.......tooooo easy and I can't see a behavior like this as more "human" than a what we are doing now.

Posted by G.C. October 27, 09 08:06 PM

Anyone know which platoon was involved from Ft. Lewis killing? Thanks..

Posted by WorriedWife October 27, 09 09:23 PM

making war for peace is like screwing for virginity...war is about power and supremecy and money...it is not about humans. The world is becoming a much smaller place and killing brothers and sisters is not about Democracy...and what Would the USA know about Democracy as we are not a practicing democracy...it is just a feel good term to us...all smoke and no fire

Posted by Jeanne October 27, 09 11:17 PM

#20 This is all war is and will ever be... kill kill kill

Posted by Dan October 28, 09 12:15 AM

This war is pointless. It needs to have ended yesterday.

Posted by Mika-El Vance October 28, 09 12:43 AM

What about #35 what's with that picture - why can't we just let them be.....ya rigth terorism, thank GOD is only in Afganistan =)) :))). to bad for #20 and #21.

Posted by VIM October 28, 09 06:49 AM

And so what do you do at Afgan? English soldiers, russian soldiers didn`t do anything. Nothing changes - fire, narcotics, rifles, islam. It`s an ancient country. Leave them alone.
Posted by Rus October 26, 09 02:34 PM

and what about the USA?....ah ok, no islam

Posted by eristoff October 28, 09 07:52 AM

Most of the 9/11 hijackers were Saudi. Most of the financing of the Afghan militias comes from Saudi.

We still have not found Osama bin Laden and instead have bombed this ancient land back to the stone age and created massive human suffering at great expense.

I fail to see how this war 'protects' Americans at home. If anything it must be a massive recruiting agent for the militia and in Muslim communities in the west.

The attempted attacks this year were planned by Afghans and others who had been living in the US. There did not train in Afghanistan and then travel to the US to plant bombs. They probably acted the way they did out of desperation as to what is happening in their own countries as the photos above show.

As has been said above - 2 wrongs do not make a right.

Posted by Michael, Dublin, Ireland October 28, 09 07:53 AM

With regards to #5 and #20.
If you are touched more by #5, then burn the kid and hand the girls a flag and take away their father.
That will even the score.

Someone needs to be punished for #20.
This war needs to stop.

Posted by Liam October 28, 09 08:29 AM

Heather (comment 58),

God bless you and your entire family. I salute you and I honor your sacrifice. I will pray for your husband's safe return.

Posted by MezzoDuomo October 28, 09 08:49 AM

if i was a prez of India, i would be the next persone after US to support and fight against terrorism. i wish i will be a prez. GREAT PICS.... hats off for the patience and hope of americans for fighting for 8 yrs and still going strong... hope every country in the world joins war agains terror....

Posted by Iamtrue October 28, 09 10:19 AM

i still can't overcome my shock. it's just sooooooo terrible...

Posted by ani October 28, 09 10:26 AM

#35
Colin Ferrell on Left?

Posted by JayJay October 28, 09 10:30 AM

Today a car bomb detonated in a crowded marketplace in Peshawar, Pakistan, killing 91 people and wounding 200. Two-thirds of the dead and wounded were women and children. (Hopefully next month we'll see some of those photos on this site, right?)

The Taliban have already warned Pakistan they will stage more such attacks if the Pakistani government does not freely let the Taliban (who crossed the border from Afghanistan into Pakistan because they couldn't take the heat in their home country) continue to take its sovereign territory as their own.

Imagine someone bringing that kind of threat into this country. (Oh wait ... they already did, didn't they?)

THAT'S why coalition forces are fighting. If someone moves into your house against your will and brutalizes your wife and children, you have the privilege of dialing 911, and you can rightfully expect emergency responders will use force to protect you. And yes, it's possible that your children, despite the best efforts of those emergency responders, will be wounded (or even killed) in the process. Does that possibility mean you shouldn't call 911, or that they shouldn't respond?

Consider this an appeal to common sense, which sometimes seems sorely lacking in these kinds of discussions. It's been 8 years, but please don't so quickly forget that they brought this fight to us.

Posted by Larry Short October 28, 09 10:45 AM

It seems as though we are unable to see through the political jargon in Canada, the minority Conservative gov't, as well as the official opposition, want to push the ideology that this is a war for "Peace" and we are peacekeeping.

This is NOT the case. We are creating a war over oil much akin to the recently FAILED Iraq War (Good job on That one Yanky fucking retards)

The pipelines run in the South East of the province, and Oh wait, that seems to be where the NATIVE population is "rising up" and being "terrorists". I think that we in the West are blind to the true facts when all we receive is Lies in the media.

Posted by Christian_Canadian October 28, 09 12:02 PM

To Todd at 27.

Just for your information. Not one of the 911 terrorists was either Afghan or Iraqi. The majority, (like Osama Bin Laden ) were from the US' closest ally in the region Saudi Arabia, a country that makes Iran look like Sweden.

To those that think Afghanistan deserves to be bombed and invaded for 'harbouring the enemy' then maybe you'd agree that Britain should have bombed Boston in the 1980s as it was a centre for fundraising and shelter for the IRA during it's terrorist bombing campaign on the British mainland.

Posted by Jeremy October 28, 09 12:17 PM

partisan politics and religious/ moralistic bullsh*t aside- don't EVER forget to thank them. you may not like the war, you may not like the mission, you may not like the leaders, or the implications of the situation-- but someone has to be willing to strap on the boots and take a stand. the circumstances won't always be perfect, but someone has to do it. RESPECT THEM. THANK THEM. and take your arguments and political platforms to your leaders- thats where they belong.

beautiful pictures.

Posted by georgia brown October 28, 09 01:41 PM

For the person who asked why men (although it's men and women) join the army and asked if it was for pleasure of killing, obviously you don't actually know much of what our soldiers are doing over there. They are training the afghan military to defend themselves and their people, they are providing security so people can rebuild homes etc., they hand out food and water, they are doing so much more over there than you see on tv. Perhaps you should read more and talk to people who know before you make a comment like that! They are out there risking their lives to make sure others have a better one, not sitting around bashing people who are making adifference.

Posted by Ash October 28, 09 01:50 PM

Those of you jumping on us soldiers...Really?! What have we done to you? What have I done to you? Am I really fighting for my country to be put down by my country? I didn't ask to be born...I didn't ask to be Black...I didn't ask to be American...I didn't even ask for your comments...but guess what...I think I am very blessed to be all the above. People will always make negative remarks and people will always make inhuman decisions...that is the way man is...but check this...you and I have a choice to make...either make a positive/negative difference, or sit back, shut up, and just watch. Most of you had a smart comment; here is my 2cents...pretty deep so here it is.....spell-check before you post your remarks!! LOL!!! JESUS is LORD!!!!! Freedom of speech at it's finest!! Don't be so easily offended. It's MY opinion.

Posted by The Percussionist October 28, 09 02:47 PM

God help us all.

Posted by Beerzie October 28, 09 03:09 PM

Afghanistan. the place old empires go to die!

Posted by justice October 28, 09 04:11 PM

Confessions of an Economic Hit Man, by John Perkins

War is about money, its a shame that people have to die because of greed, but this has been going on since the beginning of time.

Read the book, get educated.

The Taliban and US soldiers both have faith in what they believe in.
Bloodshed needs to stop and the US soldiers need to come home to their loved ones where they are needed. Obama needs to stop the killing of people that are trying to do their job.

This has last too long.

Posted by omarscuba October 28, 09 07:08 PM

life is war, war is life, for some who do not deserve it.

Posted by Alvie October 28, 09 07:09 PM

to everyone complaining about "Americans" or crying "Obama stop this war"

you guys realize what a multi-national force is don't you?

Canada, Sweden, Germany, Great Britain, ect

also, asking Obama to stop this war is pretty funny. Do you liberals know how many civilians he's killed with his Predator drone strikes?

give me a break.

if we fight this was in terms of a counter terror strategy - we will lose

we need to use a counter insurgency strategy and Obama and the weak-willed American populace are too stupid and frightened to use the correct tactics.

Posted by para October 28, 09 08:41 PM

With two children currently serving in Afghanistan as civil engineers/USAF officers on PRT my son and his wife. They have a good perspective for the 'boots on the ground'. They meet and negotiate with locals including war lords and Taliban daily. Seems that all the photos apply. They have the same concerns about lack of clear goals, lack of support, corruption at all levels, trying to do the same thing the Russians tried with 1/3 the troops and expecting different results.

His best comment is:If the Taliban came over here and told us all our politics, government institutions, traditions and customs and culture were wrong and we must follow theirs, what would we do?

They also say 'don't believe what you read or see' The Taliban will do and say anything to make their point.

Today one village leader demanded a new well, while standing in front of a new well they just completed.

Our forces are doing a great job but we can't leave them there forever as targets. We've been there for 8 years and NOTHING HAS CHANGED.

Posted by Eric Wilcox October 28, 09 11:30 PM

so many couch potato comments.......
Stop the bullsh@t wars....Repair the infrastructure in our own countries..... Line up and charge these fat politicians ... the no. 1 problem controlling the serious drug action (cocaine and heroin) It's called white collar crime in the first degree .........only then we will have a hope for some peace on this earth.... stop killing our sons and daughters to make them look interesting. Do you think they send their own children? Give me a break !

Posted by bg October 28, 09 11:37 PM

nothing comes from violence and nothing ever could

Posted by taka October 29, 09 12:27 AM

Islam freeze the brains and human integration are brought to the quiescence
Islam has been cast on fight with democracy and human rights

Posted by Farbod Arian (Iran) October 29, 09 12:41 AM

In every war, civilians often pays a hefty price. I wish we live in a world where we can talks things over without turning to violence. This is the world we live in and I'm sorry to say, war and strife will always be around long after my bones turn to ashes.

Very sad pictures...........

Posted by Jon October 29, 09 01:21 AM

Genocide...
Destroyed countries, no chance for future ...
And they continue with the terror...

Posted by emptyness October 29, 09 03:39 AM

Beautiful pictures, followed by sad thoughts...

Posted by Galina October 29, 09 08:30 AM

Amazing touching pictures !
One word, for all of you standing in different sides : ones saying that the US military actions are required and well directed, others that it's not ok the way thing are done, others wish to solve a conflict by just talk'it over, etc...
In this issue it's not about right or wrong, it never was , it never will.It'l all about getting more, conqur more, having more, earning more.About speculations that can bring you more, and more profit..It's about rulling and being the leader, nothing else, it's all about the power.
You are just the oneas sponsoring this war, here it's not about bravery, cause it aint nothing bravery in killing just to conquer more.A soldier it's not brave when he attacks but when he stands up and fight against invaders.
I hear people explaining how hard life is in Afgan, that he's soldier there or he was,bla bla etc., One question: What are you doind there?!Serving aint part of the answer, cause afgan is't not your country!!!
There are soldiers sent from alot of countrys there, because of the agreement to wich they aproved.Dead familys while they were eating or sleeping , you know collateral victims,as they all like to say, they are the true victims, not the ones dying to kill them.
Twisted world we're living in, yet we all share the same fatalism at the end of life.We deserve our destinys, we just don't deserve life....

Posted by Wisewords October 29, 09 07:57 PM

Pakistan, USSR and CIA written all over it.

Posted by Sree October 30, 09 08:07 AM

Wherever "you" will go to "liberate" the people, you shall see these kind of pictures.

Posted by Muhammad Ahmed October 30, 09 10:48 AM

Eric
it is true,nothing has changed,so what do we do to bring about a change?
i really appreciate the efforts of the foreign officers working in Afghanistan,who try to bring about peace and make them understand that maybe not all foreigners are bad,such dialogue could help both sides.
illiteracy is the main problem that is prevalent in this place,if someone tells them something,these purehearted men believe them blindly,we have got to make them understand and make them form their own opinions,thoughts and views and let them learn,they have got to come out of that dark well one day.
modernisation is not so bad,we are living with somany luxuries that our forefathers didnot have,but unfortunately,it makes us lazy too.
Islam is the religion of peace,they'll come to understand that when they know and learn and expand their knowledge.Muslims greet each other saying"Peace be upon you",so who taught them to kill?God shaped Adam and the first part of his body to which life reached were the eyes,he saw the fruits of paradise and wanted to reach out to them,then he was given a nose and he sneezed,God ordered him to say"Praise be to God" and Adam did as he was commanded and God said"May your Lord have mercy upon you",then God gave him a tongue and God ordered him to greet the angels saying"Peace and God's blessings be upon you" and they greeted him back and God told him"This is the greeting of you and of those who would come after you"Let them know,all of us are brothers and we have the same God.

Posted by we have the same God October 30, 09 02:04 PM

well # 5 is my daughter and grandson.We have had him in Alaska with us many times as Both Amanda and Justin were in the army.Justin had 2 Iraq tours and purple hearts before this tragedy.Please do not comment on any blog without thinking of those that grieve A GREAT MAN and FATHER.

Posted by diana christensen October 31, 09 12:47 AM

There are so many people weeping for their relatives who were soldiers and were killed in Afghanisthan. But, do they ever think about the Afghanisthanis who lost everything- their relatives, their home, their security- all because of politics and its dirty game. These people have no security of life. They can't even weep for their loved ones who were killed. They live in constant terror. They recieve no sympathy or empathy.I hope the world would not forget them, but, stand with them through thick and thin and forever. I feel for them- for when 100s of people cry over a slain soldier, the loved ones of an Afghanisthani can hardly cry over him, for another disaster would have happened the next moment.

Posted by Vizzy October 31, 09 12:05 PM

Religion is POX on humanity.

Knowledge must replace religion

On paper: true or false. real-fake

Just because it is printed on paper does NOT mean it is true.

Free search
Free truth
Free citizen
Free world

Posted by jmmy carter October 31, 09 05:54 PM

Imagine a world with NO religion

No gods, gooods. godddd.

No spirits

No sacred text.

No false lies Hoax.

Free world Imagine a free-world

Free-men

Free women

Free citizen

Free world.

Posted by JIMMY CARTER October 31, 09 06:05 PM

Re photo #41 - unique to see a military officer shoveling in uniform - impressive composition. Unimpressive spelling of the photographer's last name - he is good and deserves credit.

Posted by Al Lucero November 1, 09 12:31 AM

#119
i'm living in a free world and i'm able to do so because of my religion ,otherwise i'd be down a bottomless well with no hope of rescue,u seem to be the one who is imprisoned.

Posted by it's a free world for me November 1, 09 09:29 AM

Really awesome pictures !

Posted by Andr� Weigel November 1, 09 05:14 PM

The Americans have it relatively easy since the war is being fought in "distant lands". Finally the one country where all this ideology emanates from is Saudi Arabia. Unless this fact is addressed, nothing is going to be resolved. But, that wont happen because there is too much "Oil" at stake.

Evocative pictures of a very sad situation.

Posted by Peacenicky November 2, 09 08:09 AM

I wonder how many pictures it will take for people to start believing what goes on in our world.

Posted by cristina November 2, 09 07:34 PM

#20 breaks my heart.

These wars won't accomplish anything - thousands of innocent civilians in the Middle East and the lives of hundreds of Western soldiers are being sacrificed, dying for nothing - it's the cold, ugly truth.

How anyone can still support this mass destruction and murder is beyond me.

Posted by Jon November 3, 09 07:14 AM

28 is just amazing!!! all of them are exceptionally good, but that photo got me. and 42, did he actually made it across with that jump? :)

Posted by Mike from SVK November 3, 09 03:34 PM

Picture 26 is the most moving picture I have ever seen.

Thank you thank you thank you thank you.

Posted by Layla November 3, 09 05:01 PM

poco a poco nos destruimos que mente civilizada lleva a eso.
se dice que estamos en una nueva era que significa eso teniendo en cuenta que matamos al projimo ....

Posted by humbert? November 5, 09 12:37 AM

Please stop the war ... it hurts to see people sufering ... I beg "STOP THE WAR" - Let humanity live - America - and Americans - you are hurting other nations ..... Please STOP THE WAR, please - God please help .... this is hurting all mankind ... I beg you all ... please ... someone, somewhere is being hurt ...... please, please ......... please

Posted by Shahzad November 7, 09 08:38 PM

"All we are saying...is give peace a chance". I am against this war. The American media makes me sick, the way they censor what we see. Put picture # 20 on the front page of the newspaper so everyone can see what this war is REALLY all about.

Posted by tezza November 8, 09 07:49 PM

Wouah !
Some pictures are really amzing.
The last but one is simply outstanding !

Posted by Romain November 9, 09 07:53 AM

To #88. You are stupid if you still think that Muslims are responsible for 9/11.
Saudi Arabia in your case

Posted by tito November 9, 09 08:14 PM

Iraq war = oil
Afghan war = opium

the war gods tell us to fight and make us believe we do so to keep our freedom.

in a way, they are right.

we need oil. and we need to be able to control the largest drug trade in the world.

we are well on our way.

Posted by chad November 10, 09 06:28 AM

peace...no war...
peace...no war...
peace...no war...
peace...no war...
peace...no war...
peace...no war...
peace...no war...
peace...no war...
peace...no war...

Posted by suekowl November 10, 09 10:54 PM

Only one solution: USA must disappear, maybe UE too

Posted by A European (i prefert to be from this world) November 12, 09 08:05 AM

#20 The cost of American freedom and security.

Posted by visiopher November 14, 09 12:02 PM

It costs $1 million to keep 1 American soldier over there for a year.....assuming he comes home in one piece. Is it worth it? And don't say "Al Qaeda." Al Qaeda isn't even IN the godforsaken place any more. They crossed the border into Pakistan.

Posted by moby doug November 21, 09 04:27 AM

We all had the same parents
Many million years ago
Why can't we live in freedom
Without hunger, with no war?

Posted by Micshang From CHINA November 21, 09 08:52 AM