Topic: Afghan National Army

In Afghanistan war, a kinder, gentler night raid?

Gen. Stanley McChrystal has issued new rules designed to make night raids less invasive, as part of the broader Afghanistan war strategy to win over the population. Some soldiers say it’s hamstringing their ability to nab Taliban militants.
04/20/2010 04:01 pm

Afghanistan war: US leaves remote outpost of Korengal

The remote Korengal Valley has been the scene of some the most intense fighting in the Afghanistan war. US troops have pulled out as part General McChrystal's counterinsurgency strategy.
04/15/2010 09:38 am

Blackwater fallout: Senate moves to rein in military contractors

The Senate holds a hearing Wednesday on ways to improve oversight of private military contractors, after a series of incidents involving Blackwater. On Tuesday, Rep. Jan Schakowsky and Sen. Bernie Sanders introduced a bill that would stop 'outsourcing' security missions.
02/24/2010 12:49 pm

Terrorism & Security Civilian deaths mounting in Marjah offensive

NATO forces said Tuesday that three more civilians had been killed in separate incidents, bringing the total number of Afghan civilians killed since the coalition assault on Marjah began four days ago to at least 15.
02/16/2010 09:22 am

In Marjah offensive, Afghan forces take the lead

In a dramatic turnaround from this past summer, Afghan forces in the new Marjah offensive outnumber international forces 3 to 2. Efforts to 'Afghanize' the face of the war against the Taliban are seen as key.
02/15/2010 10:29 am

Seeking reconciliation, US units meet remote Afghanistan tribes

In Afghanistan, the winter lull in fighting allows some US units to try to persuade fighters to leave the Taliban.
02/10/2010 01:42 pm

Marjah offensive: Q&A on why it matters to Afghanistan war

After weeks of publicizing, US troops are set to launch one of the biggest offensives of the Afghanistan war, against the Taliban stronghold of Marjah in Helmand Province. Here’s a briefing on just how important this town is and why NATO gave the Taliban so much advance warning.
02/09/2010 09:58 am

Karzai reaches out to Taliban at Afghanistan conference

A London conference on the future of Afghanistan opened Thursday with Afghan President Hamid Karzai extending an olive branch to the Taliban and British Prime Minister Gordon Brown declaring a "decisive" moment.
01/28/2010 09:49 am

Afghanistan war: Good counterinsurgency, like good politics, is local

In Afghanistan, US soldiers on second or third tours are returning to the same areas, where they already know key tribal leaders and the terrain. The new strategy aims to cultivate relationships within the tribal culture.
01/27/2010 02:40 pm

Global News Blog At London Afghanistan conference, US, allies target strategy and cost to buy off Taliban

The US and its NATO allies in Afghanistan are moving toward a greater commitment to making peace with the Taliban, including paying some of them off and finding a home for others in the Afghan security forces.
01/27/2010 02:28 pm

Photos of the Day Photos of the Day 01/26

Terrorism & Security General McChrystal: Taliban could be part of solution in Afghanistan

Gen. Stanley McChrystal, the commander of US forces in Afghanistan, told the Financial Times that high-level political negotiations with the Taliban could help bring an end to the conflict.
01/25/2010 08:43 am

How one US base in Afghanistan adopted two orphans

US soldiers in eastern Afghanistan pay two orphan boys a day’s wage to do odd jobs and stay in school. The young boys are trying to support their Afghan families. The Americans are trying to salvage a bit of the orphans' childhood.
01/07/2010 08:15 am

Terrorism & Security Al Qaeda double agent: Role in CIA attack points to group's reach

The suicide bomber who killed seven CIA agents last week in Afghanistan was a double agent for Al Qaeda and was recruited by Jordan's intelligence as a spy, according to reports. A new report from a US think tank offers a harsh assessment of CIA intelligence in Afghanistan.
01/05/2010 07:52 am

Afghanistan war: Suicide attack highlights Taliban reach

The suicide attack was one of the most ambitious of the war, killing seven CIA employees and one Afghan on Wednesday. The attack occurred in Khost Province, near the Pakistan border.
12/31/2009 12:53 pm

Photos of the Day Photos of the Day 12/17

In Afghanistan war, marines' struggle to recruit locals could delay US exit

In Khan Neshin, near the Pakistan border, recruitment of locals for the Afghanistan war effort is an often frustrating process. Obstacles include candidates' drug use, illiteracy, and fear of the Taliban.
12/11/2009 02:54 pm

The Monitor's View What to watch in the Afghanistan war: training the Afghan Army

The US cannot simply emphasize the numbers. It has to focus on quality training for the Afghanistan National Army. 
12/11/2009 12:47 pm

Obama Nobel Prize speech: There are times when force is necessary

In his Nobel Prize acceptance in Oslo, Obama said that we will not eradicate violence in our lifetimes. Some 5,000 people were expected to protest the Afghan war and other issues.
12/10/2009 12:00 am

Mullen: Afghanistan debate is over, it's time to move out

Adm. Mike Mullen, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of staff, said Thursday that the Pentagon is ready to start the surge. The first troops will arrive in Afghanistan next week.
12/10/2009 12:00 am

In Pictures Fighting continues in Afghanistan

The Monitor's View NATO steps up in Afghanistan

All things considered, NATO has done well – so far – in responding to President Obama's request for more troops.
12/07/2009 12:00 am

With US troop increase, is the Afghanistan war now America's war?

The 7,000 additional troops that 25 NATO countries have committed to the conflict help the Obama administration make the case that the Afghanistan war is an international effort.
12/05/2009 12:00 am

NATO countries pledge 7,000 more troops for Afghanistan

The NATO secretary-general announced the increase in troops Friday. The forces will come from 25 NATO countries.
12/04/2009 12:00 am

Obama's Afghanistan speech: How it sounded to Afghans

Obama’s Afghanistan speech set a timeline for withdrawal, but some Afghans worry that by sending more troops the US aims to occupy their country – a fear the Taliban may use to recruit fighters.
12/02/2009 12:00 am