Topic: Hamid Karzai

Backchannels Afghanistan: overinterpreting the Kabul attack

A coordinated attack in the heart of Kabul - which coincided with attacks in three other provinces - isn't a good thing. But sign of imminent defeat or victory? Hardly.

Karzai blames NATO and Afghan officials for allowing Kabul attacks

Afghan President Hamid Karzai criticized 'intelligence failures' by his own government but especially faulted NATO for a series of tightly coordinated insurgent attacks that rocked Kabul.

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.

Defending Afghanistan: are Afghan forces ready?

An extended occupation and ever-shifting objectives could leave Afghanistan shakier in 2014 than when US-led forces arrived.

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.

Hundreds of Afghan women imprisoned for 'moral crimes,' says new report

But the response of local journalists at Human Rights Watch press conference shows how tough it may be to persuade Afghans to end criminalization of 'crimes' that include fleeing abuse.

Interview: Amb. Ryan Crocker warns against war fatigue in Afghanistan

Ryan Crocker, US ambassador to Afghanistan, sees progress amid an extended 'rough' patch in relations. He also cautions against quitting Afghanistan too soon, citing Al Qaeda. 'If we decide we're tired, ... they'll be back.'

Afghan villagers say shootings were revenge

Mitt Romney's top 5 attacks on President Obama

Mitt Romney has yet to nail down the Republican presidential nomination, but he’s already attacking President Obama. Here's a look at five of Mr. Romney’s charges – and whether they’re true.

Backchannels A faulty argument for staying on in Afghanistan

Marc Thiessen of the Washington Post's op-ed page is promising doom when US troops pull out of Afghanistan. There is no reason to believe he's close to correct.

Obama and Karzai: 'On the same page' or at 'the end of the rope'?

President Obama and Afghan President Hamid Karzai had starkly different public appraisals of a conversation Friday, raising doubts about where Afghan leader really stands.

Afghan shooting spree: soldier's revenge for wounded colleague?

Details about the soldier involved in the Afghan shooting spree are beginning to emerge. The day before his rampage, he witnessed the severe wounding of a fellow GI.

Turkish helicopter crash in Afghanistan comes at tough time for NATO forces

A NATO helicopter crashed into a house on the outskirts of Kabul on Friday, killing 12 Turkish soldiers on board and at least two Afghan civilians on the ground.

Terrorism & Security NATO's Afghan strategy tested as Taliban talks derail, Karzai demands troop pullback

Details are emerging about US soldier who killed Afghan civilians in a rampage that spurred Afghan President Karzai to demand that US troops leave village outposts.  

Keep Calm Afghan President Karzai's angry ultimatums have parallels in post-colonial Africa

After the massacre of 16 Afghan civilians by a US Army sergeant, Afghan President Karzai told the US to speed up withdrawal. Post-colonial experience from Africa suggests that US departure may not be pretty.

Leon Panetta's big task in Afghanistan is trust-building. Impossible? (+video)

Defense Secretary Leon Panetta is in Afghanistan to try to repair relations after the Quran-burning incident and a mass shooting of civilians. The fact that the US has spirited away the accused shooter complicates his mission.

Keep Calm When US troops leave Afghanistan, an American university will remain

US military withdrawal from Afghanistan won't necessarily spell the end of US commitments to Afghanistan, says president of American University of Afghanistan.

Romney's status could be clearer after Deep South primaries

A pair of closely fought primaries Tuesday in Alabama and Mississippi also could render a possible final verdict on Newt Gingrich's Southern-focused candidacy and give Rick Santorum the two-man race he's sought againstRomney.

Taliban fire on Afghan president's brothers at shooting memorial service

Qayum and Shah Walid Karzai and other top Afghan officials in their delegation escaped in their cars unharmed from the Tuesday ambush in the country's south.

Afghanistan shooting: Protests are peaceful, but era of cooperation closing

Days after a US soldier went on a shooting spree in Afghanistan, protests have remained mostly peaceful except for an insurgent attack on an Afghan government delegation.

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.

US officials react to killing of Afghan civilians by an American soldier

US officials are scrambling to understand the reported killing of more than a dozen Afghan civilians by an American soldier. A new poll shows most Americans don't think the war is worth the costs.

The Monitor's View: For peace in Afghanistan, women can't be 'secondary'

Afghanistan's religious authority declares women as 'secondary' and seeks restrictions on them. Karzai approves, perhaps to win over the Taliban in talks. But the outrage from Afghan women shows they no longer see themselves as willing victims.

Backchannels Why an apology on Afghan Quran burning matters

Because it might save lives.

Backchannels Afghan troops keep killing US troops

Two more US soldiers were killed in a gunfight with an Afghan soldier today, bringing the total to six Americans killed in incidents since Qurans were burned at a US base.