SPECIAL OPS

U.S., Afghans Agree on ‘Night Raids’

Afghans gain veto over controversial operations.

Afghan authorities will gain review and veto power over NATO special-operations raids in the country after a new deal is signed Sunday. The agreement was struck to quell anger among Afghans over the raids, and going forward the operations will have to be approved by a joint review board of U.S. and Afghan officials. Under the new rules, Afghan commandos will begin to take the lead in raids to minimize civilian anger over intrusion by foreigners into their homes. According to Gen. John Allen, commander for the International Security Assistance Force, 83 percent of night raids in 2011 succeeded in finding their primary target or an associate.