Topic: Afghan Politics
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In Pictures: Julian Assange and the WikiLeaks Scandal
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Top 3 lessons the US military has learned in Afghanistan
As robust defense budget wranglings continue on Capitol Hill, much of the debate about one of the Pentagon's largest expenses – Afghanistan – centers around just how effective the decade-long fight has been. Here are the top three lessons that US military has learned in Afghanistan.
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Four steps to success in Afghanistan
Now that the United States has committed itself to Afghanistan for another 10 years, the most important policy Washington could adopt in Afghanistan is one that helps the Afghans effectively govern their country on their own. To have any hope for success, the US and Afghanistan must accomplish these four goals.
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Who are the Taliban and what do they want? 5 key points
While Pakistani and Afghan insurgents often get labeled as the 'Taliban,' in reality there are several groups that often act independently and have distinct command structures, ideologies, and strategies.
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Afghanistan: 5 areas of concern after the US leaves
The withdrawal of US and NATO forces from Afghanistan will have profound, direct effects on the country's security, economy, and society. Here are five areas that are likely to see an impact.
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Afghanistan women: 'Give us a seat at the peace table'
Given the Taliban's history, women say it's critical that they're at the table to make sure concessions aren't made at their expense.
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The prophecies of Ron Paul
In 2002, Rep. Ron Paul of Texas made a series of predictions about the US and the world. DCDecoder looks at Ron Paul's prophecies and his consistency.
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US-Taliban talks: What are the prospects for success?
Preliminary US-Taliban talks could resume within weeks, although they must first receive the blessing of Afghan President Hamid Karzai. He has run hot and cold on such talks in the past.
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How video of Marines urinating on Taliban could put US forces in danger
A video that appears to show Marines urinating on Taliban soldiers comes just as the US is trying to reach out to the Taliban. Defense Secretary Leon Panetta called the actions 'utterly deplorable.'
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Global News Blog Buckle up. Talking with the Taliban won't be easy.
The Taliban announcement that it would open an office in Qatar is a first step toward talks. But history shows that negotiated withdrawals are often designed to test the patience of the departing Army.
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Global News Blog Peace progress? Qatar gives Taliban an office address
The Taliban, US, and Afghan officials have agreed to the let the Taliban set up an office in Qatar, providing a historic avenue for direct talks.
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Global News Blog 2011 Reflections: What happened to the US debate on Afghanistan?
Seven Monitor correspondents reflect on the world's hot spots. In this installment, Ben Arnoldy is bothered by silence on the war because, unlike him, US troops can’t choose when to come home.
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Could giving the Taliban a street address bring peace to Afghanistan?
Seeking a negotiated end to the war with the Taliban, US and Afghan officials are considering agreeing to the creation of a Taliban office in Qatar that would provide an avenue for direct talks.
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Secret US-Taliban talks reach turning point
Negotiations between the US and Taliban in Afghanistan have reached a critical juncture, with a potential breakthrough of future peace talks.
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Karzai: Afghanistan will need $10 billion a year, but that’s a bargain
At an international conference in Bonn, Germany, Afghan President Hamid Karzai unveiled the price tag for keeping Afghanistan stable and out of insurgent hands once NATO departs in 2014.
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With peace stalled, Afghanistan looks to extend foreign aid
With Taliban uninterested in peace talks, Afghan President Karzai seeks long-term pledges from donors at peace conference in Bonn, Germany.
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West will continue to support to Afghanistan
The international community has 'much to lose if the country again becomes a source of terrorism and instability,' said Secretary of State Hillary Clinton.
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A decade on, what can the US accomplish in Afghanistan?
As senior US officials head to a major meeting on Afghanistan this coming week, underlying their talks will be a simple question: what can Washington hope to accomplish there with fewer troops, less money, and less time?
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Afghans weary of yet another summit ahead of Bonn Conference
An international conference on Afghanistan's future opens Monday in Bonn, Germany. But on the streets of Kabul, Afghans have low expectations a decade into the Western presence here.
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Road out of Afghanistan: On the ground with US troops in potential final push
The recent battle for the Kajaki Valley in Helmand Province, which ended with few casualties and Taliban fighters in flight, may mark the last major operation for US troops in Afghanistan.
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Afghanistan's Bonn Conference: 4 things you need to know
On Dec. 5, leaders from Afghanistan, NATO, and neighboring countries will meet in Bonn, Germany, to discuss the future of Afghanistan after US troops withdraw. The second conference comes 10 years after the first Bonn Conference, which took place months after the Sept. 11 attacks and the American-led invasion of Afghanistan. Here’s a look at what it is, what’s at stake, and why it matters.
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Afghanistan 'loya jirga' endorses lingering US presence, but in what form?
In the wake of the latest Afghanistan 'loya jirga,' the challenge will be finding a way to make a strategic bilateral partnership mutually agreeable to both Afghans and the US.
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More in Afghanistan criticize country's direction. What it means for US troops.
A recent Afghanistan poll finds progress on several fronts but some worrisome signs, including a jump in the number who say the country is headed in the wrong direction. Security is still a major issue.
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What is a loya jirga? Afghanistan's most pivotal jirgas since 2002.
A loya jirga, or grand assembly, is really just a traditional meeting that serves to bring local leaders from all over the country together to discuss a critical issue during a time of instability. While the meetings are seen as a critical part of Afghan political life, they are a relatively rare occurrence. In the past 300 years, Afghanistan has had fewer than 20 loya jirgas, about a quarter of which have taken place in the past decade. But as the Afghan political system grows stronger and develops democratic institutions such as the parliament, many now question their value altogether. Here are the four most pivotal jirgas of the past decade and what came out of the meetings:
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Karzai at loya jirga: Afghanistan is 'a lion' to be respected
Afghanistan's President Hamid Karzai kicked of this week's loya jirga by pointing out both the need for international and US help and the need to make sure Afghans are setting the rules in their own country.
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Good Reads: Karzai's loya jirga, Occupy Wall Street protests, and Putin's peace prize
At a traditional loya jirga meeting of elders, Afghan President Hamid Karzai makes the case for continued partnership with US, while a New York judge orders city officials to shut down Occupy Wall Street's tent city.
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Kabul suicide bombing kills 12 Americans, one Canadian
Twelve Americans, one Canadian, and four Afghans were killed in the Kabul suicide attack Saturday.
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Opinion: US must turn up the heat on Pakistan. Here's how to make that work.
Pakistan’s duplicity further weakens the decaying US-Pakistan relationship. It also lessens chances for a successful outcome in Afghanistan and erodes the internal security of both the US and Pakistan. Fortunately, the US does have a few options.
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Reforming the Taliban: US aims to teach Afghan fighters new livelihoods
A US military-run reintegration effort in Afghanistan aims to teach captured Taliban fighters how to earn a legal living upon release. Critics say the US program is premature and undermines the Afghan government.
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Good Reads: America's longest war, in Afghanistan, and Liberia's Nobel Laureate
On the 10th anniversary of the Afghanistan war, today's papers detail the lessons still to be learned. And in good news, Liberia's first female president, Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf, wins a Nobel Peace Prize.
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