In Afghanistan, a top United Nations official is criticizing the US-led NATO force for “the militarization of humanitarian aid.” Speaking in Kabul, the deputy special representative of the secretary general, Robert Watkins, said UN agencies in Afghanistan won’t take part in the US-led reconstruction strategy for the town of Marjah, where NATO has launched a major offensive. The UN has opposed plans for the US military to oversee aid distribution in Afghan towns. Watkins said, “We are not part of that process, we do not want to be part of it. We will not be part of that military strategy.” The US military says it’s now in control of Marjah and plans to install a new local government within weeks.