Policy

War? What War? Afghan President Draws Far Less Interest From Lawmakers Than Netanyahu Did

Despite thousands of lives lost in Afghanistan, billions of dollars spent and now, a halt to the U.S. withdrawal, Ashraf Ghani’s address makes barely a ripple in Congress relative to the Israeli prime minister.

Business

Bergdahl Charged With Desertion

The former Taliban captive could face a life sentence and lose all pay.

Business

Kabul's Needs Extend Far Beyond More US Troops in Afghanistan

All sides in Kabul seem to have agreed that stability in the short-term outweighs the lasting effects of numerous ministerial and governorship vacancies.

Policy

The Glowing Optimism of Afghan President Ashraf Ghani

Ashraf Ghani praised U.S. support in his speech before Congress and promised to accelerate his country's move toward self-reliance.

Threats

Obama Halts Afghanistan Drawdown And His Critics Still Pounce

The president slows the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan – and amplifies the distance between the legacy he wants to leave and the complex region he can’t.

Threats

White House To Delay Troop Withdrawal From Afghanistan

The Obama administration expects to keep 9,800 troops in the country through the end of 2015.

Ideas

Stop Putting Afghanistan on a Deadline

Withdrawal timetables only delay failure; the U.S. should stay in or get out now.

Threats

After Karzai, An Unexpected 'Thank You For Your Service' From Afghanistan

Afghanistan’s new president wants U.S. troops — and their leaders — to know how much he appreciates them.

Policy

The New Era in US-Afghanistan Relations

This week's visit of Ashraf Ghani and Abdullah Abdullah marks the start of a reset in the Obama administration's policy towards Afghanistan.

Threats

Violence Is More Likely To Occur in Pro-US Villages in Afghanistan

That is one of many insights found in a new data project run by researchers at Yale University.

Business

Now SIGAR Wants To Know How Big Afghanistan's Security Force Will Become

John Sopko has been merciless about the wake of wasteful spending the U.S. left behind in Afghanistan. Now he wants to know the U.S. plan for Afghan forces to come.

Threats

Defense Secretary Carter Arrives in Afghanistan Seeking 'Lasting Result'

Newly minted Defense Secretary Ash Carter made the now-customary first overseas trip to visit troops in the Afghanistan war zone -- with an endgame in mind.

Threats

Top Afghanistan Commander Pushes for Flexibility in Troop Drawdown

Sen. John McCain implores the Gen. John Campbell to ask president to rethink plan.

Threats

What If I Was Able Stop the Afghanistan War?

The story of my last-ditch effort to talk the Taliban and Washington out of a war.

Business

Afghan Reconstruction Audits Saved More Than $1 Billion, Watchdog Says

The Defense Department has saved or repurposed $1.1 billion in taxpayer funds since 2008, the Special Inspector General for Afghanistan Reconstruction said Tuesday. By Charles S. Clark

Ideas

If Only America Cared About Actual Wars as Much as War Movies

America loves 'American Sniper,' but there are consequences when a nation is so disengaged with its own wars. By Gayle Tzemach Lemmon

Business

Lockheed Contractor Must Repay $27.5M for Overcharging Troops in Iraq and Afghanistan

A Lockheed Martin contractor agrees to repay the government for overbilling for its products and services to U.S. troops in Iraq and Afghanistan. By Charles S. Clark

Threats

What Does ‘Security’ in Post-2014 Afghanistan Really Mean?

It’s not just about troops on the ground and the readiness of the Afghan security forces. By Catherine Powell

Threats

US Releases Four Afghan Detainees From Guantanamo

The U.S. prison in Guantanamo still holds 63 men who have been cleared for release. By Allen McDuffee

Business

Nearly $1 Billion Spent To Elevate Afghan Women May Have Been Squandered

Neither the State Department nor USAID could identify any results from the $850 million spent to improve the lives of women in Afghanistan. By Charles S. Clark