Topic: Uruzgan Province

After the US pulls out, will CIA rely more on Afghan mercenaries?

Thousands of Afghan mercenaries are believed to be helping America battle Al Qaeda, the Taliban, and their allies. But they're accused of flagrant human rights abuses.

What Afghans think of the war: 'Why are you Americans here?'

Ten years ago, the US invaded Afghanistan to eliminate a terrorist haven and set up a stable government. But today, many Afghans don’t know why the US invaded, have never heard of 9/11, and are increasingly suspicious.

New US military transport contract aims to end diversion of money to Taliban

The military's new transport and supply contract in Afghanistan is meant to stop US funds from being diverted to warlords and the Taliban. But many Afghans fear the damage is already done.

Afghanistan, the Taliban, and the US deficit

A series of Taliban assaults left at least 22 people dead in southern Afghanistan today, a reminder that as Congress looks for spending cuts, the US remains far from a 'mission accomplished' moment.

Four Afghan officials targeted in recent assassinations

A slew of assassinations of Afghan officials has the US and the Afghan government on edge about Taliban inroads, particularly in the south, where the assassinations have been concentrated. Here’s a who’s who of four top officials who have been killed in the past few months:

'Even when there was a drought, we'd blame him'

Anand Gopal on Afghanistan's assassinated Jan Mohammed Khan.

The wave of Afghan assassinations underscores a complicated security situation

A reporter struggles to figure out what the murder of two sources says about the state of the Afghanistan war.

What's behind the wave of assassinations in Afghanistan(VIDEO)

Jan Mohammed Khan, a powerful ally of President Hamid Karzai, is the latest casualty in a string of assassinations that undermine NATO’s claims that the situation is improving.

Suicide attack at Karzai memorial service underscores deteriorating security

A suicide attack marred the service for Ahmad Wali Karzai on the same day that a UN report found that this year, Afghans have confronted the worst violence toward civilians in a decade.

Is the Taliban using girls in suicide bombings?

An 8-year-old Afghan girl was apparently tricked into a suicide bombing yesterday, while a Pakistani girl who narrowly escaped a similar ploy was returned home to her family last night.

Afghan security forces still not so secure after NATO boost

NATO surge strategy aims to boost Afghan security forces. But, as the recent assassination of a provincial police chief of Kandahar showed, they're still far form secure.

Why bin Laden killing won't dampen Afghan fight

Even though the Taliban has ties with Al Qaeda, the Afghan militants are focused on fighting a national insurgency, not waging global jihad.

After bin Laden: Why the Taliban won't sever ties with Al Qaeda

Maintaining official ties with Al Qaeda provides the Taliban with important credibility among international jihadist groups, as well as access to military training and Arab funding.

A changing of the guard for Afghanistan's warlords

Preliminary results from Afghanistan's parliamentary election indicate that warlords who built their reputations fighting the Soviets are being dumped for a younger generation.

Afghanistan war: Marjah offensive is trial run for Kandahar push

The Marjah offensive, say US and Afghan officials, is a trial run for a major push into the city of Kandahar this summer. It could be the pivotal battle of the Afghanistan war against the Taliban.

Afghanistan war challenge: civilian deaths from NATO airstrike

Gen. Stanley McChrystal's nuanced Afghanistan war plan took a hit on Sunday when a convoy of suspected insurgents targeted by a coalition airstrike turned out to be civilians.

Marjah offensive: New Afghan governor takes office as battle rages

Less than two weeks into the Marjah offensive in Afghanistan, an Afghan governor flew into town on Monday and began holding meetings.

Dutch government collapse: Will other European troops now leave Afghanistan?

The collapse of the Dutch government Saturday shows how unpopular the war in Afghanistan is in Europe. Will other European nations pull their troops out of Afghanistan earlier than planned?

NATO airstrike kills at least 27 Afghanistan civilians

A NATO airstrike is another blow to the new US 'hearts and minds' strategy.

NATO steps up in Afghanistan

All things considered, NATO has done well – so far – in responding to President Obama's request for more troops.

Key to Afghan crisis: tea and education

Greg Mortenson, author of 'Three Cups of Tea,' says success lies in building trust and schools in rural Afghanistan.

World

Taliban wages war on aid groups

Wednesday's ambush by the militants killed three Western aid workers and their Afghan driver. It's part of an apparent bid to rid Afghanistan of foreign aid workers.