Fewer Detentions Promised in Afghanistan

AP reports that the US military is touting a new policy to detain fewer suspects who are assumed to be Taliban. The hunt is still on for the top 20 "insurgent leaders." Fewer suspects are to be sent to Guantanamo, and the US military claims many will be released in an amnesty program this year.

...following a review of the military's policy on detentions last summer, the soldiers were taking as few prisoners as possible as they try to win stronger support from the local population.

''We are always adapting to the changes in the environment and our commanders, our soldiers, are also trying to be more sensitive to the Afghan culture," Cheek said. ''I've told our commanders, for example, to minimize the number of Afghan nationals or others that they detain."