Topic: Kabul Airport

Backchannels
Vast sums of aid continue to be stolen in Afghanistan

Despite years of supposed effort to stop money laundering out of Kabul airport, billions continue to flow from the country unchecked.

Afghanistan Field Guide: Don't wear sunglasses and eight other essential tips

Planning on going to Afghanistan? Curious about how a person navigates this war-torn country?

Journalist Edward Girardet, who has been reporting on Afghanistan for more than 30 years – including for the Monitor – edits “The Essential Field Guide to Afghanistan.”

He gives eight sample “essentials” for getting around.

Terrorism & Security
Deadly attack on police compound adds to 'drumbeat' of violence in Afghanistan

Attackers stormed a police compound in Afghanistan's Khost province, killing at least three police officers Sunday. It's latest in a series of insurgent attacks on government, military, or police compounds.

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.

Kabul Conference: Karzai calls for Afghan control by 2014

The Kabul Conference’s final communiqué essentially puts an international stamp of approval on the Karzai government’s existing plans to have foreign troops out by 2014.

US withholds $4 billion in Afghanistan war aid. Can Gen. Petraeus cope?

Gen. David Petraeus's strategy in the Afghanistan war relies on money for reconstruction and development. But Congress says it will withhold $4 billion in Afghan aid unless rampant corruption is stopped.

The man leading Afghanistan's anti-corruption fight

Afghanistan announced Monday the launch of a new anticorruption unit. The head of the current effort, Mohammad Yusin Osmani, says Afghanistan needs more prosecutions and inter-agency cooperation.

Dostum's return to Afghanistan: a nod to 'warlord politics'

On eve of presidential vote, the ethnic Uzbek fighter, who's been in exile, rallied his base to support struggling President Hamid Karzai. Some say the move undermines a new, more democratic brand of politics.

Monitor writers celebrate ‘unique’ moments

From crawling on the carpet with Ronald Reagan to sipping tea with the Che Guevara of Afghanistan, former staffers recount stories as the Monitor transitions to new formats.