Afghanistan: special report

Channel 4 News’ Sarah Smith reports from Washington where “no drama Obama” has suggested some safe but politically astute appointments at the very top of the CIA and Pentagon.

Eight american NATO troops and a contractor have been killed in Afghanistan after an Afghan military officer opened fire inside an office at Kabul airport.

In a serious setback for security in Afghanistan, hundreds of prisoners have escaped from a prison in the southern Kandahar province through a tunnel dug by Taliban insurgents.

Captain Lisa Jade Head became the second British female soldier to be killed in Afghanistan after she was fatally injured by an IED in an alleyway in Nahr-e-Saraj, Helmand province.

Nine people are reported to have died during protests in Kandahar over the burning of a Koran in the US. It follows an attack on a UN office in Mazar-i-Sharif in which seven UN workers were killed.

Up to 20 UN staff are killed in Afghanistan, after protests over the burning of a Koran in the US turned violent. The pastor who organised the burning tells Channel 4 News he’s not responsible.

A Ghurka soldier who fought off several Taliban insurgents single-handedly has been awarded the Conspicuous Gallantry Cross. 136 servicemen and women recieved awards, most for service in Afghanistan.

After a period of relative quiet over winter months, U.S. General David Petraeus tells Channel 4 News he expects a ‘spring offensive’ from the Taliban but insists withdrawal plans are on track.

Wootton Bassett is to be given the title of “Royal” in recognition of its efforts to honour the UK’s war dead. The British Legion says it is delighted by the decision.

Nato says it has seized weapons in Afghanistan supplied by Iran and intended for the Taliban. It follows a Channel 4 News film showing Iranian mines and explosives being smuggled over the border.

“The Taliban marksman was off his game. The bullet landed short at the feet of a young soldier it was meant to kill.” Captain Doug Beattie writes from Helmand on the changing threat of the insurgency.

As a Government report suggests victory in Afghanistan is far from secure, Gaby Hinsliff asks whether David Cameron will learn the lessons on military intervention in Libya from his predecessors.

Exclusive: Hamid Karzai says the military surge in Afghanistan could threaten the chances of political stability. Interviewed by Jon Snow, Karzai admits he’s emotional – but not erratic.

Captain Doug Beattie writes from the Afghan frontline on the relentless search for IEDs and recounts the courage of those whose job is to unearth the hidden bombs.

The Commander of US forces in Afghanistan, General David Petraeus, is to investigate allegations that military psychological operation teams were deployed against US politicians, reports Sarah Smith.