how are things going in helmand in terms of the level of violence? give us a rundown of how things are going and when you think it will get better, stay the same, get worse? who will like to begin? >> i'll start, and then i think i should give the recent task force commander the floor. my judgment is that our progress is being delivered, that we are increasingly seeing an apparatus that is becoming more confident and that the levels of violence are beginning to go down and that we are also seeing much more ownership by the afghan national security forces across the whole. i think that is true, also, across the rest of afghanistan, and i also think that we are seeing much more independent thought by the afghans both in political terms in the provinces and by the security apparatus. i think to get a better sense of what it feels like on the ground, doug should -- >> before i come to you, brigadier, you say the levels of violence are beginning to go down. but the ministry of defense memorandum says violence levels in 2012 remain broadly similar to 2011

it's the capital of helmand province. so it looks nothing like it did way back then. the suburban-style tract homes, white stucco walls have been sort of built over. there there's no more swimming pool, and it's not quite as safe of a place as it was six decades ago, unfortunately. >> host: now, for americans six decades is a long time, but for the afghan community it's not such a long period, is it? >> guest: afghans over there still remember this period. i remember going up and traveling through helmand province in 2009, and an old afghan man came up and asked me and the marine colonel i was with whether he knew mr. and mrs. lerner. of course, the lerners were the couple that taught him english back there decades ago, and he had no concept that the united states was a country of 300 million people. of course, we americans should know every other american, and why did we not know the people who had taught him english? so for the afghans of a certain generation, they remember with great fondness this period of american engagement and, in fact, remember it far more fon

come before them as these british troops in afghanistan hold a memorial service at their base in helmand province. in 1919 woodrow wilson dedicated november 11th armistice day. in 1954 president eisenhower changed the holiday to veterans day to honor all service members. >>> in honor of world war ii veterans came to washington for the weekend. we caught up with them at the world war ii memorial that honored veterans with a wreath laying today and one man shared with us how he found out the war was over. >> we came back to pearl harbor thinking i was going to join a group that was going to make a landing on japan. that was kind of in my mind and we got there and they started firing off guns and flares and everything and i thought we were under attack again, but it come to be the war was over. >> in the next moment mr. thompson was overcome with emotion saying that today's events made him feel so important all these years later. >>> we have a news alert from alexandria, investigators wanting you to take a close look at some very dramatic surveillance video. if you know the two men holding

th have seenarticular increases in the certain ovce o kdar a helmand, strong holds of taliban inrgents. help to fund aggression by the insurgents. they say more than 100 members of their securitors he enildhi . >>he forr governor of tokyo says japanese leaders need to explore the possibility of acquin nlear. iknn for speaking mind. he gave his latest opinion while preparing for a national election next month. heowea a new opposition group. he made the remarks to foreign corrpondents in tokyo. >> translator: it would be good to have a simulation on japan holding nuclear weapons because itancts terrent. thdesion o acquiring them or not can be decided later. >> he announced in april the too veme pnned to t privately owned senkaku islands in the east china sea. they stepped in and nationalized the islandsnd china and taiwan claimed the territory and they have straightened relations. >>> a former japanese prime minister says he won't be running in the lower hou eltion. he says he can't support some of the party ideas. the moat ptyearsp pls to endorse candates only if they accept certain pol

they have seen particular increases in the certain provinces o kandahar and helmand, strong holds of taliban insurgents. u.n. officials warn the profits from open you mean sales will help to fund aggression by the insurgents. they say more than 100 members of their security forces have been killed this year in antinarcotic operations. > >>> the former governor of tokyo says japanese leaders need to explore the possibility of acquiring nuclear arms. he is known for speaking his mind. he gave his latest opinion while preparing for a national election next month. he now leads a new opposition group. he made the remarks to foreign correspondents in tokyo. >> translator: it would be good to have a simulation on japan holding nuclear weapons because it can act as a deterrent. the decision of acquiring them or not can be decided later. >> he announced in april the tokyo government planned to the privately owned senkaku islands in the east china sea. they stepped in and nationalized the islands and china and taiwan claimed the territory and they have straightened relations. >>> a former japa

separate attacks in the country. 10 people, two of them children, were killed when a minibus blow up in helmand province. and a minivan blowing up led to the deaths of several afghan soldiers. in canada are in the city, at least three policemen were killed by a suicide bomberi suiciden kandahar. syrian president bashar al-assad again refused to be forced from power. he says he will live and die in syria. in an interview with russian tv the president vowed to stay in the country, saying he was not a puppet of the west. it comes just days after british prime minister david cameron suggested the syrian leader could be allowed safe passage out of the country if it would guarantee an end to the violence. as for the red cross, it says it is struggling to cope with the crisis in syria. the head of the international aid agency said the humanitarian and tuition in the country is only getting worse despite the scope of operation increasing. an unknown number of people not getting the aid that they need. the greek parliament has narrowly approved a new austerity measures to secure the next round of intern

been killed in three separate bomb attacks in afghanistan the deadliest blast was in the southern helmand province when a minibus hit a roadside bomb killing ten civilians including four women and two children a second attack killed three policemen and wounded two others in the southern city of kandahar and in the east a military convoy struck a learned mind killing five local troops. according bahrain is denied to release requests for prominent human rights activists. his case has been adjourned until next month he's serving time for tweeting and participating in illegal gatherings and hopes to appeal his three year prison sentence country's crackdown on the opposition has been going on for nearly two years with up to eighty people killed and thousands arrested. four people being killed and many more wounded in a series of car bomb attacks in iraq the blasts at residential areas in predominantly shia towns south of the capital baghdad insurgent attacks often aimed at undermining the sheer led government are a frequent occurrence as the country struggles to find stability after years of f

it's the capital of helmand province, looks nothing like it did then, the suburban homes, the white wallsow built over. there's no more swimming pool, and it's not quite as safe of a place as it was six decades unfortunately. >> for americans, six decades is a long time, but for the afghan community, it's not a long time, is it? >> they still remember this peer. i remember going out and traveling through the helmand province in 2009, and a man asked me and the marine colonel i was with whether we nude mr. and mrs. learner. they were the couple that taught him i english years ago. he had no concept that america was 300 million people, and we should know everyone else, but they remember with great fondness this period of american engagement and far it far more foundly than they think of the current american period, the period of our stablization activities there today unfortunately. >> now, haven't there been several starts and stops and boom and busts, hopeful periods in our history with afghanistan? >> there has. you know, this is -- the 50s and 6 os were a period of great optimism, the s

daniel craig turned up sunday in the helmand province.iven a tour of the camp and met with several soldiers and even fired a real machine gun, then they all sat down to watch him fire a bunch of fake guns in "skyfall." >>> more on president obama's historic trip to burma and his meeting with democracy advocate aung san suu kyi. >>> and breaking the myths about black friday. if you're planning to brave the crowds, the facts about whether you'll actually get the best deal, that and more a little later on c"cbs this morning." >>> that is the "cbs morning news" for this monday. i'm terrell brown. thank you, everybody. have a great day. \s ,, the o@@s of the "big easy" winning the u.s. open twice? 1 in 1.2 billion. the odds of him having a child diagnosed with autism? 1 in 88. ernie els encourages you to learn the signs of autism. >> your realtime captioner: linda marie macdonald >>> hi,everyone. good morning. monday is here. it's november 19. i'm frank mallicoat. >> i'm michelle griego. time now just about 4:30. lawrence, it's monday! [ laugh

how are things going in helmand? give us a rundown. when will it get better? >> i think i should give the recent task force my judgment is progress is being delivered but we're increasingly saying those becoming more confident and vibrant and the level of violence is beginning to go down. also does the ownership from the afghan security forces. also we see much more independent thought by the afghans with political terms and the security operators to get a better sense ground >> brigadier chalmers you say the levels are going down with the minister of defense memorandum says loathsome of 2012 are broadly similar fears 2011. we saw in september the destruction of carrier jets. why do say that? >> you are right to say that we are seeing a one or 2% decline in the activity levels slowdown with the insurgents is up but judgment of helmand it rather than afghanistan that has more improvement. >> you are right to. i did ask about how much. >> i think it has dipped very slightly but it has dipped where the changes taking place. >> it is board displays to now deeply f

afghanistan has been shot dead by a man wearing an afghan military uniform the shooting took place in helmand province and is the latest in a series of so-called green on blue attacks such incidents have claimed the lives of more than sixty coalition troops this year alone at least twelve people have been killed and dozens more injured in the devastating earthquake in me in the six point eight magnitude quake struck in the largest city of mandalay collapsing a bridge and throwing workers into the river is the biggest earthquake to hit the country since twenty seven. libya is trying to tout its wealth of ancient ruins to encourage tourists back to the country after the revolution the visitors went away the country's most recent history is off the map and holiday makers aren't likely to learn much about the deadly siege of bani walid less than a month ago auntie's sara further explained. we here at the world travel market a trade show a taking place in london or people can consulates the holiday inspiration that scouts' an exotic spot for a honey one country you probably wouldn't expect to see

been killed in three separate bomb attacks in afghanistan the deadliest blast was in the southern helmand province when a minibus hit a roadside bomb killing ten civilians including four women and two children a second attack killed three policemen and wounded two others in the southern city of kandahar and in the east a military convoy struck a landmine killing five local troops. a prominent bahraini human rights activists is back in court today hoping to appeal his three year prison sentence. serving time for tweeting and participating in illegal gatherings the country's authorities have recently banned all demonstrations after nearly two years of clashes between police and program for campaigners violence in bahrain has so far killed up to eighty people with thousands being arrested provoking a wave of criticism from rights groups across the globe. at least forty eight people have been killed and many more are missing after a massive seven point four magnitude earthquake struck quite a mala rescue operations are being hampered by landslides that have buried roads the worst hit areas ha

orange i should say three separate bomb attacks in afghanistan the deadliest blast was in the southern helmand province when a minibus hit a roadside bomb killing ten civilians including four women and two children the second attack killed three policemen we did two others in the southern city kandahar and in the east a military convoy struck a mine killing five local troops. a court in bahrain has denied the release request for a prominent human rights activist not be able to jump his case has been adjourned until next month he's serving time for tweeting and participating in illegal gatherings and hopes to appeal his three year prison sentence the country's crackdown on the opposition has been going on for nearly two years with up to eighty people killed and thousands arrested. just a few minutes here on r t heads clash over billions with good health puzzles for the european union's new budget is deepening the cracks in london berlin relations . china's communist party begins a weeklong change of leadership covered calls to root out corruption make the state a major on the high seas more on

soldier in afghanistan has been shot dead by a man when an afghan army uniform attack took place in helmand province and is the latest in a series of so-called green on blue attacks such instance have undermined the relationship between front and afghan forces in recent months sixty coalition troops have died in similar attacks the syrian. and these twelve people have been killed and dozens more injured in a devastating earthquake a. six point eight magnitude quake struck the largest city collapsing a bridge and three workers into the bridge is the biggest earthquake to hit the country since twenty nine from. libya is trying to tout its wealth of ancient ruins to encourage tourists back to the country. even the kept visitors one away but the country's most recent history is off the map makers aren't likely to learn much about the deadly siege of bani walid less than a month ago. explains we here at the world travel market a trade taking place in london where people can consulate holiday inspiration that scouts exotic spot for a honeymoon a one country you probably wouldn't expect to see bei

been killed in three separate bomb attacks in afghanistan the deadliest blast was in the southern helmand province when a minibus hit a roadside bomb killing ten civilians including four women and two children a second attack killed three policemen and wounded two others in the southern city of kandahar and in the east a military convoy struck a landmine killing five local troops. a prominent bahraini human rights activists is back in court today hoping to appeal his three year prison sentence rajab is now below i should say result is serving time for tweeting and participating in illegal gatherings the countries out there and authorities have recently banned all time and strange and after nearly two years of clashes between police and pro-forma campaigners violence in bahrain has so far killed up to eighty people the thousands being arrested provoking a wave of criticism from the rights groups across the globe. in just a few minutes here on r.t. heads clash over billions we look at how proposal for the european union's new budget is deepening the cracks in london for the relations. and c

a gunman wear and afghan army uniform shot and killed a british soldier in the country's southern helmandrovince. 61 members of the u.s.-led coalition including 37 americans have died so far this year in 44 attacks by afghans wearing army or police uniforms. >> for at least one american family who lost a loved one, an insidary tack isn't combat at all. as far as they're concerned, it's murder. lee cowan has their story. >> it was supposed to be a nine month deployment. an army specialist just 21 would have been home from afghanistan in time for thanksgiving. instead, his body came back to baker city oregon on labor day to a hero's welcome. >> all the way into town people lined both sides of the streets. and holding flags, just showing their support. >> he had joined the army right out of high school he was smart, good with a rifle and level headed. it was the best his mom and dad could hope for. >> if it were a fair fight, you know what i mean, if mabry was given the chance than we knew he would be okay. >> reporter: but a few months back mabry's usually upbeat e-mails changed. >> the las

. >> yes, i did ask about helmand. you're right. >> are the three central districts.he lashed regard and the other towns. it is just dipped very, very slightly. what a shame to subvert taking place and that's been a significant change. the violence has been more displays now out of the market town areas and deeply found areas, which are route without you but the afghan local economic confidence to grow over the summer, which is now secured by afghan security forces. >> so the violence isn't going down. vicious new position. >> was it better should be out in the more desert areas? >> it's about the larger population. the level of incidents over the last couple of years which has a 70% of three central districts covering the market talent away from those areas in the vocal population is not able to get on with the business of life and interests and economic move forward. >> how much of helmand is still under taliban control? >> if you like the mapping geographical studies, the outlying areas but to population centers that the bulk of the population is now under governme

in helmand, for example. in others, they are up by 19%. he regrets having claimed that counterterrorism in the night raids and so forth were where the war was heading. the discussion of where we're we are at today has been the extension of that. he also wishes he could've focused on preventing civilian casualties. a u.n. report talked about this is the fifth year in a row where civilian casualties have risen. while some are decreasing, insurgency caused them on the rise. so how does that translate into how the campaign is working? would you like to make any remarks at all? i like to open it up. and see if vernon loeb has approximate for questions. >> do we have any questions? >> i guess we should use the microphone. please, go ahead. >> in your book, it was mentioned that betray petraeus wanted to become joint chairmen. is there a reason why he couldn't be joint chiefs of staff chairman? >> that is a great question. part of it has that washington is only big enough for one star, and david petraeus is not it. the thought is that he would no

louise helmand. enter the fact that hamas is committed to the destruction of the state of israel, that in 2005 israel removed all of its 9,000 separate -- [inaudible] soldiers from gaza, and the fact that that was followed by hamas in gaza firing thousands of rockets from civilian centers targeted at israeli citizens -- [inaudible] israel full support in defending its citizens against this aggression. >> here, here! >> well, we're rightly critical of israel when there are civilian casualties, but we have to bear in mind that for hamas or other groups firing rockets, their sole intention is to cause civilian casualties. that is the entire purpose of what they do. and we are right to stress the responsibilities on israel and the need to stop settlement building and restart the peace process. but also the responsibility on hamas to renounce violence, to recognize previous agreements, to recognize the right of israel to exist. such things would also be immense steps forward in the peace process in the mi

in some areas, the attacks are down by 30% in helmand province. and others are by 19%. he regrets having claimed counter-terrorism and the night raids were where the war was heading. and this is an extension of that. he also wishes he could have focused earlier on preventing civilian casualties. a u.n. report came out today that talked about this is the fifth year in a row where civilian casualties in afghanistan have risen and while isaf caused casualties are decreasing, civilian casualties are on the rise. how does that translate into how the campaign is working? do you want to see a few remarks? there is omore on the war. we would like to open it up unless vernon has something to say. >> i am good. >> we have any questions? -- and do you have any questions? i guess we should use the microphone. please, go ahead. >> in your book, it was mentioned that petraeus wanted to be chairman of the joint chiefs of staff, but he was told that no way he was going to become joint chairman. could you tell us why he could not be joint chief of staff chairman if he was this good? >>

a small unit of taliban operatives thought their way into helmand province and managed to destroy six carrier aircraft and a total loss of $200 million. two marines were killed in that attack, including to the marine aviator who lost his life after running to the fight and briefly fighting heavily armed insurgents with only his sidearm. is growing insecurity is heightening other factions in afghanistan, which could portend a renewal of civil conduct. they reported that the powerful warlord, who is responsible for some of the worst violence, is calling on his supporters to rearm and prepare for resumption of conflict against the caliban -- the taliban. these were echoed by another powerful warlord, who stated if the afghan security forces are not able to wage this war, we call on them all of these are compounded by what we face, a corruption and ineffectiveness, a safe haven for other insurgent groups that exist in pakistan and which continue to go unaddressed or worse. none of these developments should be surprising. they can all be traced to the fundamental doubt of american resolve

louise helmand.r the fact that hamas is committed to the destruction of the state of israel, that in 2005 israel removed all of its 9,000 separate -- [inaudible] soldiers from gaza, and the fact that that was followed by hamas in gaza firing thousands of rockets from civilian centers targeted at israeli citizens -- [inaudible] israel full support in defending its citizens against this aggression. >> here, here! >> well, we're rightly critical of israel when there are civilian casualties, but we have to bear in mind that for hamas or other groups firing rockets, their sole intention is to cause civilian casualties. that is the entre purpose of what they do. and we are right to stress the responsibilities on israel and the need to stop settlement building and restart the peace process. but also the responsibility on hamas to renounce violence, to recognize previous agreements, to recognize the right of israel to exist. such things wouldalso be immense steps forward in the peace process in the middle ea

report attack this year, a small unit of taliban operatives fought their way into camp basking in helmand province in september, and managed to destroy six harrier aircraft at a total loss of nearly $200 million. talk about asymmetrical warfare. two marines were killed in that attack, including lieutenant colonel christopher were able, a marine aviator who lost his life after running towards the fight and maybe fighting heavily armed insurgents with only his hind sight on. not surprise me, this growing insecurity is heightening ethnic and other factional tensions in afghanistan which could be a renewal of civil concept. earlier this week the new york times reported that a powerful tajik warlord who was responsible for some of the worst violence of afghanistan's civil war is calling on his supporters to we arm and prepare for resumption of conflict against the taliban. these comments were echoed by marshall mohammed fierstein, another powerful former warlord ended to sheikh, who stated quote if the afghan security forces are not able to waste this war, then call upon the mujahedin. all of