Topic: Karl Eikenberry

Pentagon chief Panetta: US within reach of defeating Al Qaeda

On his first trip to Afghanistan as Secretary of Defense, Leon Panetta offered an upbeat assessment. "We're within reach of strategically defeating Al Qaeda," he said.

Ambassador Eikenberry's pushback against Karzai: Will it make a difference?

US Ambassador Karl Eikenberry responded sharply to criticism of the US by Afghan President Karzai. His unusually tart remarks come amid growing pressure in the US to bring troops home.

Karzai blasts US, NATO for 'using' Afghanistan, announces Taliban talks

Afghan President Hamid Karzai’s tendency to oscillate between support for NATO and harsh criticism of it has confounded and irked friend and foe alike.

Obama picks combat-tested Gen. Martin Dempsey to head Joint Chiefs of Staff

President Obama has named Army Gen. Martin Dempsey to be the next chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. Gen. Dempsey joins a reorganized national security team facing many challenges.

Can Afghanistan hang on to its newly minted college grads?

The American University of Afghanistan held its first graduation Thursday. In a country that has experienced sharp brain drain, the hope is that more young Afghan university graduates will stay to help rebuild the country.

Obama's new national security team faces major challenges

President Obama's new national security team, headed by Leon Panetta and General David Petraeus, has a wealth of experience. But it faces major challenges, especially in Afghanistan.

What Obama's security team shakeup could mean for Afghanistan

The loss of America’s top three military and diplomatic leaders at once worries Afghans. But some see the potential for a fresh start with President Karzai.

Karzai worried about electoral fraud... really?

Pakistan earthquake hits Afghan Taliban haven

The massive Pakistan earthquake caused minimal damage, welcome news to a government trying to keep inquisitive reporters away from the Afghan Taliban stronghold of Balochistan.

Richard Holbrooke often struggled to be heard on Pakistan and Afghanistan

Richard Holbrooke's struggle to be heard amid competing US voices in the region has some suggesting that the office of special envoy should be shut down.

Obama visits Afghanistan to thank troops, rally support back home

President Obama's visit to Afghanistan comes just as WikiLeaks cables are bringing fresh attention to grave problems on the war front.

WikiLeaks fallout reveals more cracks in Afghan war strategy

The continued political survival of US Ambassador to Afghanistan Karl Eikenberry suggests the doubts he expressed about the war strategy have deepened in American government circles.

An Afghan governor dies and Hamid Karzai cries. Is that a problem?

Bob Woodward's recent book amplified US whispers that Afghan President Hamid Karzai is unstable. There is a problem, but it isn't his brief show of emotion today.

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.

Time for Obama to rethink Afghanistan war strategy?

McChrystal is out, but the Afghanistan war will remain on the same course under David Petraeus. Some experts are clamoring for a change from the administration's counterinsurgency strategy.

What Afghanistan lawmakers want General Petraeus to do

General Petraeus takes over a counterinsurgency strategy that has largely failed, say Afghanistan lawmakers from Taliban hot spots Marjah and Kandahar, which have been targeted for key US offensives.

Afghanistan war: Top three challenges facing General Petraeus

Topping General Petraeus' to-do list in the Afghanistan war: Making his own counterinsurgency strategy work in Afghanistan where General McChrystal could not.

General Petraeus and General McChrystal: same policy, different face?

While the strategy remains the same, will the deft touch of General Petraeus reorient key relationships among leaders in Afghanistan?

General McChrystal, Obama conclude talks; McChrystal's future unknown

General McChrystal and President Obama have concluded their meeting. Fate of McChrystal, however, is not known.

McChrystal Rolling Stone remarks spotlight Afghanistan withdrawal timeline

General McChrystal's Rolling Stone remarks, which were critical of US officials, have turned the spotlight on disputes over Afghanistan withdrawal timeline.

General McChrystal's Rolling Stone gaffe gets shrugs on front lines

General McChrystal's comments to Rolling Stone may be rocking Washington, but soldiers in Afghanistan downplay the impact.

Rolling Stone fiasco: Gen. Stanley McChrystal summoned to White House

Rolling Stone article gets Gen. Stanley McChrystal into hot water with President Obama.

Hamid Karzai comes to Washington: Will US-Afghanistan tensions ease?

Mutual suspicions are expected to be set aside as Afghan President Hamid Karzai visits Washington this week. Both countries seek a stronger partnership that will help Afghanistan resist the Taliban.

What will Afghanistan President Karzai say in London?

Sixty nations convene in London Thursday to discuss Afghanistan's future. Will President Karzai announce plans to bring Taliban into his government? Will he criticize US role in Afghanistan?

British diplomat named Afghanistan development chief

Seeking to make aid and development spending in Afghanistan more effective, NATO named Mark Sedwill, the British Ambassador to Kabul, its new civilian representative in Afghanistan on Tuesday.