Topic: Afghanistan

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Top 10 states for working moms

Mother's Day companies? That's what you could call workplaces that help moms meet their family commitments. Those companies can be located anywhere. But some states do better than others in mandating a level of standards beyond the federal minimum in the form of paid family leave, job protection, and “right to nurse” laws. In honor of Mother’s Day, here are the Top 10 states that best support new working mothers, according to the National Partnership for Women and Families. Can you guess which state gets the highest marks?
Briefing
Top 3 reasons why Al Qaeda is more dangerous than ever

On the one-year anniversary of Osama bin Laden’s death, defense analysts say that there are plenty of reasons to think that a resurgence of the perniciously resourceful Al Qaeda is not out of the question.
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.
Brazil's President Rousseff meets with Obama: 5 topics for talks

As the two largest economies in the Western Hemisphere, Brazil and the US have a lot of shared interests, but there are still areas of contention. Here are 5 possible topics on today's presidential agenda:
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.

All Content

How can Army keep soldiers fighting fit after Afghanistan? Avatars

Military officials are using video games to evaluate troops, but making soldiers' avatars – their virtual selves – more closely mimic the soldiers' actual skills is the next frontier.
Mitt Romney gains on Obama in Florida and Ohio, says poll (+video)

Mitt Romney and President Obama are in a dead heat in Florida and Ohio. Obama still leads in the key swing state of Pennsylvania, says new poll.
Osama bin Laden raid documents available online today

Documents recovered from Osama bin Laden's Pakistan compound will show bin Laden's strategy for overthrowing Afghanistan.
US, Afghan deal has plenty of loopholes

President Obama signed the agreement with Afghan President Hamid Karzai yesterday, but the accord has options for either nation to walk away.
Pentagon signals 'acute' problems in Afghanistan, even as US cuts forces (+video)

The presence of Al Qaeda and Taliban safe havens in Pakistan remains unresolved – and may be beyond the capacity of the US military to fix, a new report to Congress concludes.
Decoder Wire
Jimmy Kimmel still at it: What's with Romney and the rubber chicken? (+video)

On his show, Jimmy Kimmel tried to jab President Obama, but his satire of Mitt Romney was much sharper. It illustrates a point: Incumbent presidents can be hard to roast. 
US must focus on upcoming leadership change in Afghanistan

When Obama made his secret visit to Afghanistan yesterday, he emphasized America's security role. The US needs to focus on helping Afghanistan build its political and governing capabilities. The Afghan presidential election looms with no plan for a smooth transition of power.
Obama's agreement with Karzai in Afghanistan short on specifics (+video)

In a move that both signals the close of the Afghan war and extends the US commitment here until at least 2024, President Obama visited Kabul to sign a strategic partnership agreement with Afghanistan.
Focus
As war wanes, how will US military retain its best warriors?

Today’s troops have acquired invaluable experience in battle. But when the fighting ends, the US military must find ways to keep the force engaged or risk losing all that expertise.
With blast, Taliban respond to Obama: 'You need to focus on leaving' (+video)

The Taliban detonated a car bomb around dawn, shortly after Mr. Obama gave a speech invoking 'a new dawn' with the signing of a US-Afghanistan strategic partnership agreement.
New Yorker convicted in plot to bomb subways

A jury deliberated for just two days before returning guilty verdicts for Adis Medunjanin on terrorism charges.
One year after Osama bin Laden death, Obama's balancing act still tricky (+video)

President Obama's speech shows little has changed in Afghanistan despite the Osama bin Laden death. Obama is still in the position of assuaging a war-weary public at home while sticking with plans for a 2014 end to the war – with some US support continuing long after that.
Obama: "New day" on horizon for Afghanistan (+video)

The President made a secret trip to the Central Asian country on the anniversary of the raid that killed Osama bin Laden.
Obama's secret trip: why he wanted quick signing of pact with Karzai

On the anniversary of the raid that killed Osama bin Laden, Obama flew secretly to Afghanistan to sign the Strategic Partnership Agreement with President Hamid Karzai.
New York man found guilty in suicide subway bomb plot

Adis Medunjanin, a Bosnian-born US citizen, faces the prospect of life in prison after being convicted on nine counts.
Briefing
Top 3 reasons why Al Qaeda is more dangerous than ever

On the one-year anniversary of Osama bin Laden’s death, defense analysts say that there are plenty of reasons to think that a resurgence of the perniciously resourceful Al Qaeda is not out of the question.
What the death of Osama bin Laden means for Afghanistan

The killing of bin Laden did not end the Afghan war. But it did highlight for the US the usefulness of using military bases there for striking jihadi leaders in Pakistan.
For Pakistanis, bin Laden death anniversary sparks ... nothing (+video)

Polls show that Pakistanis are ambivalent about the Al Qaeda leader, and view his death as a foreign issue. Religious parties, however, may use anti-US sentiment in upcoming elections.
Backchannels
One year after Osama bin Laden's killing, Al Qaeda is in tatters

While his murderous ideology persists in pockets of the Middle East and beyond, Al Qaeda as it was understood after Sept. 11 has failed.
Terrorism & Security
Both sides violating Syria cease-fire. Still worth supporting? (+video)

United Nations chief Ban Ki-moon called on all parties in Syria to stand by the cease-fire, which has been repeatedly violated by both the government and the opposition.
'Three Cups of Tea' a fraud? Judge dismisses lawsuit against Greg Mortenson.

A federal judge on Monday threw out a lawsuit by readers seeking damages from 'Three Cups of Tea' author Greg Mortenson. Parts of the nonfiction book are alleged to be fabrications.
What's right in this picture? A Chinese dissident in US custody

Pleas for US help like those from dissident Chen in China can wear down a superpower trying to reorient itself. Yet foreigners still look to American for moral leadership. A mature democracy should know how to resolve such dilemmas.
Syrian uprising shifts toward suicide bombings. Al Qaeda's handiwork? (+video)

Today's suicide bombings in Syria's Idlib province come just three days after a suicide bombing in Damascus claimed by a salafi jihadist organization.
Florida-style 'Stand Your Ground' gun laws sub impulse for intelligent thinking

Even as George Zimmerman stands trial for fatally shooting Trayvon Martin, many Americans argue these laws make us safe. I've had pistols held to my head from Bosnia to Beirut. Your best self-defense is your tongue. Those who put their faith in guns will ultimately be outgunned.
Cover Story
Is Myanmar about to rejoin the world?

One of the three most closed and isolated countries in the world is opening up. The long-repressed Burmese say it's unbelievable - but they want to believe in a new Myanmar.