Topic: Kandahar

Two harrowing US military rescues offer haunting portrait of Afghan war

Rescue pilots in Afghanistan describe flying five to 10 combat missions a day, on constant alert. Describing one mission, for which he was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross with Valor last week, Col. Christopher Barnett says:  'It was like the Alamo.'

Chicago NATO summit sets stage for Afghan withdrawal

With France set to leave at the end of 2012, and the rest of NATO out by 2014, the question is whether Afghanistan's own forces can meet the challenge.

Afghanistan after the US: What's next?

Challenges in Wardak Province, west of Kabul, are a mirror of those the Afghan government will face as US and NATO pull back from reconstruction and aid funding in the next two years.

Second Afghan peace broker assassinated

Gunmen killed a senior member of Afghanistan's High Peace Council Sunday morning, in yet another signal that some elements within the insurgency are against talks.

Junior Seau tragedy shakes NFL, intensifies concern about head injuries

Former linebacker's apparent suicide, three years after retiring, renews denunciations of football's culture of toughness and the incidence of head injuries. Junior Seau had sustained multiple concussions, friends and family say.

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.

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.

Afghan commando kills special forces soldier: US training mission futile?

An American special forces soldier was killed this week by a US-trained Afghan commando, during a joint night raid operation. One-fifth of all NATO losses in 2012 are by Afghan troops. 

What African Evangelicals think of Florida's Quran-burning preacher

US Evangelicals are influential in Africa, but African church members focus on building schools and hospitals, and interfaith dialogue, rather than the Rev. Terry Jones's burning of sacred books.

Iran's cyber prowess: Could it really have cracked drone codes?

Iran claims it hacked into the data banks of a captured CIA stealth drone. US officials dismiss it as 'bluster,' but aviation and cyber experts say it's possible.

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.

Afghan deal on night raids presages longterm US presence

The deal increases the chances that the US and Afghanistan will strike a strategic partnership that would keep American troops in Afghanistan beyond 2014.

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.

Reports: Afghan soldiers complicit in a suicide plot against their own government

The alleged discovery of nearly a dozen suicide vests at the Afghan Ministry of Defense deepens concerns about the loyalty of Afghan security forces, which have already killed 16 coalition troops this year.

Afghan shootings: US pays $50,000 per victim

Relatives received the cash in compensation for a March 11 shooting spree in Afghanistan. The US has charged Staff Sgt. Robert Bales of 17 murders in the case.

US says Sgt. Bales split Afghan killing spree

Investigators believe the soldier accused of killing 17 Afghan civilians split the slaughter into two episodes, returning to his base after the first attack and later slipping away to kill again.

Second prior assault cases surfaces against Robert Bales

The soldier is said to have groped a woman and gotten into a fight with her boyfriend at Tacoma, Washington bowling alley.

France school shooter planned another attack, says Sarkozy

French President Sarkozy told Jewish leaders that the Toulouse gunman planned another attack Wednesday. The Toulouse gunman is still surrounded by police. 

Afghan villagers say shootings were revenge

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.  

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.

Afghans angry that shooting suspect flown out of country (+video)

The US military says it is standard procedure to move the suspect, but many Afghans are demanding the US soldier accused of killing 16 villagers in Kandahar face justice in the country.

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.

A soldier's deadly deed in Afghanistan, and a way to find peace

A Christian Science perspective.