Topic: Afghan Parliament

Progress Watch
Neither heat nor gloom ... Afghan post office delivers

As the Afghan government struggles to develop, the post office has quietly managed to become one of the nation's most efficient institutions - and with extremely limited international assistance.

Gen. Dunford to head Afghan war, wrap it up (+video)

US Marine Gen. Joseph Dunford's main challenges are likely to be managing the wind down of the war in Afghanistan. Afghans expect to see few changes on the ground. 

India eyes increased role in Afghanistan

India is among regional powers eyeing a larger role in Afghanistan as the US prepares to pull back. Some Afghans worry about becoming a proxy battleground for India and Pakistan.

At NATO summit on Afghanistan, few women's voices heard

Afghan women and international rights advocates are growing increasingly concerned that a decade-long focus on expanding Afghan women’s rights will go when US and NATO forces leave.

Afghanistan massacre: How rising tensions could cost Obama politically

The tragic killing of the villagers is likely to complicate US efforts to negotiate future bilateral relations with Afghanistan. It's also a potential stain on Obama's foreign policy record.

Rampage in Afghanistan puts long-term US presence in peril (+video)

Yesterday's shooting spree by a US soldier has sharpened Afghan desires for foreign troops to be subject to Afghan courts. The issue is complicating a deal on keeping US bases here beyond 2014.

Global News Blog
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.

Kabul suicide bombing kills 12 Americans, one Canadian

Twelve Americans, one Canadian, and four Afghans were killed in the Kabul suicide attack Saturday.

Why political activism isn't working in Afghanistan

Despite the billions of dollars of international money spent to develop a democratic culture in Afghanistan, few understand what one politician is trying to accomplish by her hunger strike.

What Afghans think of the war: 'Why are you Americans here?'

Ten years ago, the US invaded Afghanistan to eliminate a terrorist haven and set up a stable government. But today, many Afghans don’t know why the US invaded, have never heard of 9/11, and are increasingly suspicious.

Global News Blog
Good Reads: Al Qaeda's No. 2, Africa hearts Qaddafi, and an American (jailed) in Pakistan

Today's top stories feature deeper looks at Al Qaeda's No. 2 man, why Africa still loves Qaddafi, and what Alabama has to do with Pakistan.

Terrorism & Security
Killing of Al Qaeda's No. 2 a hammer blow to weakening group [VIDEO]

The CIA has reportedly killed Al Qaeda's No. 2 Atiyah Abdul Rahman in a drone strike in Pakistan. His death comes as a massive blow to the terrorist group's central leadership.

What may be a bigger threat to Afghanistan than insurgency? Land disputes.

Land theft is a major source of conflict in Afghanistan and threatens stability, say analysts. Protesters near Kabul Tuesday say an MP was involved in stealing their land.

Kabul airport shooting raises questions about readiness, loyalty of Afghan soldiers

A Kabul pilot with 20 years' experience in the Afghan military killed eight soldiers and one foreign contractor. It's the most recent in an new spate of such attacks.

Backchannels
Karzai worried about electoral fraud... really?

In Afghan election, corruption colors aims of many female candidates

The 386 women running in Afghanistan's election Saturday have been touted as a clear sign of success. But others say that many of them are merely puppets for rich powerbrokers.

Opinion: A three-pronged approach to confront Afghanistan’s corruption

Corruption is not inevitable. Afghanistan should focus on technical, legal, and cultural areas to ease the tyranny of corruption.

For good of Afghanistan war, US seeks truce with Hamid Karzai

The US and Afghan President Hamid Karzai have sniping at each other as a new Afghanistan war offensive nears. But the Obama administration offered an olive branch Sunday.

Pakistan arrests more Afghan Taliban. Why the about-face?

After years of deflecting US pressure to rein in the Afghan Taliban, Pakistan has arrested in rapid succession the group's No. 2 Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar, two shadow provincial governors, and up to nine Al Qaeda-linked militants.

What's behind latest Taliban attack on Kabul?

The latest Taliban attack on Kabul comes amid new Afghanistan government efforts to lure militants away from the insurgency.

Afghan parliament's rejection of cabinet may delay reforms for months

The Afghan parliament will soon begin a six-week break, then prepare for elections, leaving less-influential acting ministers to govern.

Terrorism & Security
Afghanistan's Karzai shrugs off criticism of his cabinet picks

Nearly half of Afghan President Hamid Karzai’s 23-member cabinet will carry over from his last term, and it will include a former warlord, and only one woman.

The most deadly US foe in Afghanistan

The Haqqani network, born of the Russian war and nurtured by the CIA, is behind many spectacular assaults in Afghanistan.

Many in Afghanistan oppose Obama's troop buildup plans

Frustration and fear is sparking opposition to plans that would nearly double the size of US forces there.

Afghanistan to ask NATO for bigger army of its own

At the NATO meeting in Romania Thursday, Afghan officials are expected to request money to expand its National Army from 86,000 to 120,000 troops.