Obama approves broader role for US forces in Afghanistan

WASHINGTON: President Barack Obama has approved giving the US military greater ability to accompany and enable Afghan forces battling a resilient Taliban insurgency, in a move to assist them more proactively on the battlefield, a US official told Reuters. The senior US defence official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the decision would also allow greater use of US air power. However, the official cautioned: "This is not a blanket order to target the Taliban." Obama's decision again redefines America's support role in Afghanistan's grinding conflict,...