WASHINGTON, Dec. 16 (Xinhua) -- The United States and its NATO allies have begun reviewing Afghan mission from security and counter terrorism to political consolidation and economic development, the New York Times reported Sunday.

    The reviews are reported to be an acknowledgment of the need for greater coordination in fighting the Taliban and Al Qaeda in Afghanistan, halting the rising opium production and trafficking that finances the insurgency and helping the Kabul government extend its legitimacy and control.

    These efforts reflect a growing apprehension that one of the Bush administration's most important legacies -- the routing of Taliban and Al Qaeda forces in Afghanistan after the attacks of Sept. 11, 2001 -- may slip away, the newspaper quoted unidentified senior administration officials as saying.

    The U.S. is now committed to finding an international coordinator, described as a "super envoy," to synchronize the full range of efforts in Afghanistan, and to continue pressing for more NATO troops to fight an insurgency that made this the most violent year since the Taliban and Al Qaeda were routed in December 2001.

    "We are looking for ways to gain greater strategic coherence," an unidentified senior government official, who was involved in the review process, was quoted as saying.

U.S. Senate approves more budget for Iraq, Afghanistan wars

    WASHINGTON, Dec. 14 (Xinhua) -- The U.S. Senate approved a defense bill on Friday to authorize more budget for the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan without requiring a timetable of troop withdrawal from Iraq.

    The bill, voted by 90 to 3, covers the budget year 2008 ending on Sept. 30 and authorizes 696 billion U.S. dollars in military spending, including 189 billion dollars for the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. 

Brown pledges $900 mln aid to Afghanistan

    LONDON, Dec. 12, (Xinhua) -- British Prime Minister Gordon Brown said on Wednesday that Britain would provide 450 million pounds (about 900 million U.S. dollars) to Afghanistan for development aid between 2009 and 2012.

    "In total, Britain will make available 450 million pounds in development and stabilization assistance for Afghanistan between 2009 and 2012, covering both short- and long-term priorities," Brown said at his weekly Prime Minister's Questions session at the House of Commons. 

U.S. defense chief calls for civilian coordinator in Afghanistan

    WASHINGTON, Dec. 11 (Xinhua) -- U.S. Secretary of Defense Roberts Gates Tuesday suggested that a civilian officer be appointed to coordinate the international aid in Afghanistan.

    In a prepared testimony for a hearing at the House Armed Services Committee, Gates expressed his hope that the officer could be appointed in the weeks. 

Gates calls for more support to fight militancy in Afghanistan

Visiting US Secretary of Defense Robert M. Gates (L) and Afghan President Hamid Karzi hold a joint news conference in Kabul, capital of Afghanistan, Dec. 4, 2007. (Xinhua Photo)
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    KABUL, Dec. 4 (Xinhua) -- Visiting U.S. Defense Secretary Robert Gates Tuesday linked the U.S. and Europe's peace to durable stability in Afghanistan and called for more support to fight insurgents in the post-Taliban nation.

    "The security about the people of Europeans and America is naturally bound to the stability in Afghanistan," Gates told reporters at a joint press conference with Afghan President Hamid Karzai.