Topic: Richard Holbrooke

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.

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: Rolling Stone story a sign of frustration?

The remarks by General McChrystal in Rolling Stone magazine reflect mounting frustration all around with an Afghanistan war effort seemingly in growing disarray – although that doesn’t excuse the conduct, experts say.

New plan to woo Afghan Taliban could harm villages

Kabul is proposing to reward villages whose Afghan Taliban fighters surrender by disbursing cash through councils that already oversee aid money. Critics say that would make the councils Taliban targets.

The Most Dangerous Place

A reporter explores Pakistan’s border region and argues that it holds the key to a peaceful resolution in Afghanistan.

Three days in Washington: How Hamid Karzai resuscitated his image

Afghan President Hamid Karzai was on the verge of becoming a pariah only weeks ago. But after his trip to Washington, he leaves as a crucial and trusted US ally once again.

Earth Day energy crisis: Pakistan plans shorter work week, curfews

Facing a severe shortage of electricity, Pakistan will unveil an energy crisis plan on Earth Day that may include a shorter work week, a 9 p.m. curfew on wedding parties, curbs on air conditioner use, and rolling blackouts.

The Monitor's View: Obama and India-Pakistan talks: US can be a better go-between

The Feb. 25 India-Pakistan talks, while welcome, did not go well. The US must intervene in this South Asian rivalry to keep it from affecting the Afghanistan war. 

NATO officials mull Taliban talks but rule out direct contact

At a security conference in Munich, US and NATO officials says that an Afghanistan plan to negotiate with the Taliban won't include 'direct contact' between the US and the insurgents.

Munich security conference: fresh focus on Afghanistan, nuclear weapons

The host of the Munich security conference, which opens today, says Europe must step up and help its main ally, the US, and tackle pressing global security needs like Afghanistan and Iran.

At London Afghanistan conference, a developing script of withdrawal

The leaders of Afghanistan and 70 nations involved in the war and aid efforts there gathered in London on Thursday. New funds were promised for Afghanistan, but crafting a withdrawal strategy was a key part of the agenda.

Karzai reaches out to Taliban at Afghanistan conference

A London conference on the future of Afghanistan opened Thursday with Afghan President Hamid Karzai extending an olive branch to the Taliban and British Prime Minister Gordon Brown declaring a "decisive" moment.

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?

Drone targets Pakistan Taliban chief Hakimullah Mehsud. Is he dead?

A US drone strike killed at least 10 militants in Pakistan Thursday. A Pakistani security official says Pakistan Taliban chief Hakimullah Mehsud was 'probably' killed.

Afghanistan war: What success will look like

The Pentagon seeks metrics to show whether it is meeting its goals in the Afghanistan war, and will be able to start withdrawing in 2011.

On the way to Afghanistan, Holbrooke seeks to ease tensions with NATO

Richard Holbrooke, Obama's special envoy to Afghanistan and Pakistan, wants to unify allies at a time when many Europeans sense drift in the war and a lack of clear US policy.

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.

Matthew Hoh resigns to stir debate on Afghanistan. Mission accomplished.

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

The US needs to take a holistic regional approach.

Karzai unlikely to claim Afghan election victory soon

Amid likely vote fraud, some experts now call for a coalition government or a return to the tribal system to clear the impasse.

UN-backed election body in Afghanistan orders partial recount

The Electoral Complaints Commission says it found evidence of fraud at 10 percent of polling stations. A recount will prolong the country’s political uncertainty.

US and Britain diverge on election fraud in Afghanistan

US envoy Richard Holbrooke said delaying the vote count would benefit the Taliban, while British Foreign Secretary David Miliband urged that allegations of fraud be investigated.

Western envoys: Expect run-off in Afghanistan election

The Paris meeting today was seen as an effort to pressure incumbent President Hamid Karzai amid the review of more than 1,000 complaints of voting fraud.

US applies Colombia antidrug lessons to Afghanistan

A new strategy in Afghanistan to combat the opium trade draws on US experience curbing cocaine shipments in Latin America.

Holbrooke casts doubt on success of Pakistan's Swat Valley offensive

The US envoy said it was unclear if the military had defeated the Taliban in the region or simply driven them underground.