Topic: Kandahar

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.

Terrorism & Security 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

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.

Terrorism & Security 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.

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.

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

A Christian Science perspective.

Afghan shooting: Panetta visits wary Afghanistan

Afghan shooting spree by a US soldier Sunday sends US-Afghanistan relations into further disarray following earlier incidents of Quran burnings and the urination on Taliban corpses. 

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.

US soldier goes on killing spree: How events may unfold in Afghanistan

A US soldier, apparently acting alone after walking off a base, killed up to 17 Afghans including women and children on a rampage through at least three local homes in Kandahar Province.

International Women's Day: Michelle Obama shows Hillary Clinton some love

For International Women's Day, there's a Google doodle, sure. But it is also an occasion for the US to honor 10 courageous women from around the world – and for Michelle Obama to sing the praises of Hillary Clinton.

Six UK soldiers believed killed in Afghanistan blast

Six UK soldiers were believed missing and presumed dead after an explosion hit their armored vehicle in southwestern Afghanistan on Tuesday evening.

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.

Backchannels Mistaken identity? Top Al Qaeda leader Saif al-Adel probably not arrested in Cairo.

So far, reports of the arrest of Al Qaeda's Saif al-Adel, once the group's top military planners, in Cairo don't appear to be correct.

Global News Blog NATO's 'improper disposal' of Qurans inflames Afghan protesters (+video)

More than 1,000 Afghans protested after hearing reports that NATO personnel improperly disposed of some Qurans at a base in Afghanistan.