Topic: Uruzgan

The Dutch coalition government led by Jan Peter Balkenende collapsed following a dispute over extending the military mission in Uruzgan, Afghanistan. The Labor Party withdrew from the coalition after the Christian Democrats suggested delaying the planned 2010 withdrawal. Under Dutch law, new elections must be held within 83 days of the government's fall.

An Australian soldier's letter provides a candid look at life in Afghanistan, describing the massive infrastructure of military bases and criticizing the performance of Dutch Marines. The account claims the Dutch military accidentally killed 80 civilians and that the Taliban specifically target them due to perceived weakness.