Topic: Kabul

Karzai second-term goals: unity, stamping out corruption

Afghanistan President Karzai faces challenge of governing provinces that did not support him and where feelings of betrayal may run strong.

Opinion: Can Afghanistan be saved?

An interview with NATO Secretary-General Anders Rasmussen.

Afghanistan election: Karzai win spurs plans to improve governance

The long-drawn Afghanistan election ended Monday with Hamid Karzai declared the winner. Some experts lay out options that could reduce the president's powers.

US to Karzai on Afghan election: congratulations, now shape up

Western leaders sent messages of support to Hamid Karzai after his opponent dropped out of the election in Afghanistan. But the US is also exploring alternatives, including a closer association with local leaders.

The Monitor's View: 5 ways to move forward with (and without) Karzai in Afghanistan

The US needs to help the tainted Afghan president – and local and regional leaders – visibly improve the lives of the population.

In Afghanistan runoff, more polling stations may mean more fraud

With less than half as many election workers in Afghanistan's second round of voting, it may be even easier for "ghost" stations to submit fake votes.

Clinton goes where special envoys stumble - Pakistan, Middle East

Hillary Clinton is traveling to two places this week – Pakistan and the Middle East – where high-profile special envoys named by Obama have had trouble making progress.

Taliban attack UN Kabul guesthouse in attempt to upend Afghan runoff

Gunmen stormed a Kabul guesthouse popular with UN workers Wednesday in what the Taliban called the first of more attacks ahead of Afghanistan's Nov. 7 runoff election.

US defense bill approves money for Sons of Afghanistan

US defense bill approves money for Sons of Afghanistan

The defense bill signed into law by President Obama Wednesday provides money to pay Afghans to stop fighting. It's modeled after a similar successful effort in Iraq.

World's best dressed candidates? In Afghan election, it's cape versus cravat.

How to dress for success in Afghanistan? Hamid Karzai and Abdullah Abdullah are candidates for the world's best-dressed politicians.

Afghanistan runoff: Abdullah wants election chief sacked

Abdullah Abdullah, the top challenger to President Karzai in Afghanistan’s election, said Monday he would otherwise not participate in the Nov. 7 runoff. The ultimatum could be a cover to withdraw from the race.

Who is Abdullah Abdullah?

The challenger in the Nov. 7 presidential runoff election in Afghanistan, Abdullah Abdullah, said Sunday that he might withdraw unless Hamid Karzai takes steps to ensure that the runoff will be fair.

Afghan election runoff: As officials scramble, some voters dig in heels

Some Afghans say they are tired of the election's toll on lives and business. A runoff between President Karzai and Dr. Abdullah is slated for Nov. 7.

The Monitor's View: Obama's civilian task in Afghanistan, Pakistan, and Iraq

He must help weak elected leaders amid conflict in all three Islamic nations.

Afghanistan election runoff poses daunting challenges

A second round of voting in the Afghanistan election, set for Nov. 7, adds security and logistical difficulties to a process already marred by fraud.

Runoff a test for Afghanistan: Is Karzai a reliable partner?

Afghan President Hamid Karzai agreed to the Nov. 7 election runoff under heavy pressure. With Obama considering sending more troops to Afghanistan, the US will be watching to see if the corrupt government is trustworthy.

Karzai about face could salvage Afghanistan election

President Hamid Karzai backed away from threats to reject an election runoff Monday in a move diplomats say breathes life into efforts to find a legitimate leader for Afghanistan.

Afghanistan election: Karzai stripped of majority win

A UN-backed body investigating fraud in the Afghanistan election announced new vote tallies Monday that may force top candidates President Karzai and Abdullah Abdullah into a runoff.

Diplomats urge rivals to accept Afghan vote

President Hamid Karzai's camp is now threatening to call into question the legitimacy of the whole election if the final tally shows that he did not win outright.

Why South Waziristan offensive won't help US in Afghanistan

The Pakistan Army is going after terrorists who target Pakistan. All the major terrorist networks attacking US forces in Afghanistan operate from other areas of Pakistan.

Afghanistan: Italy denies report it bribed Taliban forces

A Times of London story charges that Italy paid Taliban not to attack Italian forces, and that its lack of disclosure of the practice had catastrophic consequences for French replacements.

Afghanistan election outcome: Karzai could face runoff.

Two commissions are expected to finalize Afghanistan's fraud-plagued election results Saturday. A runoff or a powersharing deal could be in the offing.

Opinion: The road to stability in Afghanistan runs through Pakistan and India

The US needs to take a holistic regional approach.

Bomb in Pakistan's Peshawar sharpens prospect of military showdown

A suicide bomb that killed more than 40 people in a Peshawar market capped a week of provocative moves by the Taliban.