Media Summary

In today’s news: Democracy International observers discuss the multi-faceted nature of the upcoming parliamentary election; Army announces charges against 5th Stryker Brigade soldiers for killing Afghan civilians; Quran burning plans may be ‘suspended’; Afghan attorney general reiterates that foreigners should not make decisions on anti-corruption investigations; Uzbek, Tajik, and Hazara politicans warn of alienation from Karzai outreach efforts to the Taliban.

In today’s news: the last surge brigade takes command in Paktika; Mullah Omar issues annual Eid address and predicts victory for Taliban; Pres. Karzai plans to restrict the role of foreign advisor in corruption investigations; crowds beaten back at Kabul Bank; Afghan parliamentary candidate campaigns against Florida church’s planned Quran-burning.

In today’s news: Pentagon says it expects NATO to commit most of the 2,000 new troops being sought by Gen. Petraeus; RC-South commander says Taliban are outnumber by Afghan forces and that operations will begin in November; civil service postings remain mostly vacant in Helmand and Kandahar; IEC announces additional polling center closings in Nangahar; NYT examines the linkages between the Karzais, the Fahims, and Kabul Bank.

In today’s news: female candidates face campaigning challenges; protests in Kabul over US church’s planned Koran burning; Petraeus seeking 2,000 additional troops; $6 billion annual training and support budget planned for Afghan forces through 2015; Taliban reintegration plans lag among funding shortages and lack of political direction; Central Bank says Kabul Bank situation has “normalized”.