It says 16 militants were killed in the clashes, including two key Taliban commanders, while more than 150 suspected fighters surrendered to local military authorities.

VOA: standard.2009.09.14

Army spokesman Major General Athar Abbas says recent operations have targeted militant training camps and ammunition dumps, killing more than 100 Taliban fighters, including some top commanders.

VOA: standard.2009.05.07

Analysts say that recent arrests and killings of top militant commanders, including Baituallah Mehsud, appear to have broken the back of militants and led to infighting among various Taliban groups.

VOA: standard.2009.09.14

Bush said Rumsfeld will stay on despite recent calls from six retired generals, including commanders who led combat troops in Iraq, that the defense chief step down.

CNN: New Bush aide tells staff to expect more changes

Many American military commanders, including Michael Mullen, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs, and General Petraeus, worry that a 16-month timetable may destabilise the country, as do lots of Iraqis.

ECONOMIST: Lexington

Previous ISAF commanders, including General McKiernan, also issued promising directives, only to fail because of too few resources and too little understanding in their forces, and too little support from the Afghan government.

ECONOMIST: Afghanistan