This newsletter is designed to give Soldiers preparing for deployment, as well as those already deployed, a concise overview of the Afghan culture. Additionally, the resources listed in its appendices will enable Soldiers to gain greater knowledge of Afghanistan's diverse culture as they strive to understand and work with the Afghan people.

Cover title. "SEP 10." Includes CD-ROM from Defense Language Institute Foreign Language Center with Dari, Pashto, and Urdu language guides.

Newsletter contents: Introduction -- Afghan culture in counterinsurgency operations -- Afghan culture and mass casualty operations -- Afghan cultural awareness -- Afghan cultural influences -- Afghan culture and language training -- Know the insurgents. CD-ROM contents: Afghanistan. Dari cultural orientation -- Dari air crew language guide -- Dari basic language guide -- Dari 15 common phrases -- Pashto cultural orientation -- Pashto air crew language guide -- Pashto basic language guide -- iPod language guide -- Further reading -- Pakistan. Pashto cultural orientation -- Pashto air crew language guide -- Pashto basic language guide -- Pashto 15 common phrases -- Urdu cultural orientation -- Urdu air crew language guide -- Urdu basic language guide.