Afghanistan - US Mission Continues To Crumble in Slow Motion

''..He claimed the attack was thwarted and "heavy casualties" were inflicted on the insurgents. Aseer confirmed the killing of 18 security forces in the exchange of fire.
According to local officials, the insurgents staged similar deadly assaults in the Balkh, Jawzjan and Uruzgan provinces killing 23 more security personnel.
The surge in violence comes on the heels of a lingering prisoner swap between the Afghan government and Taliban insurgents as part of the fragile peace process.'' Link