US soldier killed in Afghanistan

An American soldier has been killed in southern Afghanistan, bringing the total number of US-led troops killed in Afghanistan this year to 500.

NATO’s International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) confirmed the casualty in a Monday statement.

Over 320 US soldiers have been killed in Afghanistan so far this year, making 2010 the deadliest for American forces since they invaded the country nine years ago.

Despite the casualties, commander of US and NATO forces in Afghanistan General David Petraeus said last week that more troops would be deployed in Afghanistan.

A new poll, released by Associated Press-GfK, indicates that a majority of Americans see no end in sight to the war and nearly six out of 10 oppose the nine-year-old conflict.

The issue will be a major political hot potato in the US November mid-term elections, in which voters will be choosing one third of the Senate and the full House of Representatives.

Pundits say US President Barack Obama and the Democratic Party face an uphill battle, but Obama has expressed confidence that his party will retain control of both houses of Congress in the elections.