Afghanistan

World News

Afghanistan's Chief Executive Is Hopefull For U.S. War Strategy

5:49am November 16, 2017

Steve Inskeep talks to Chief Executive Abdullah Abdullah about the state of the war in his country, and how he's in favor of the Trump administration's plan to put more boots on the ground.

The Miraculous Love Kids music school founder Lanny Cordola (top left) stands with Madina Mohammadi (top center), Mursal (top right) and other students outside their rehearsal space in Kabul. Their favorite song is "Fragile" by Sting. "What we're trying t

An American Rock Musician Teaches Guitar To Kabul's Street Kids

6:34pm November 15, 2017

by Peter Breslow

Lanny Cordola has played guitar with Guns N' Roses and the Beach Boys. Now he devotes himself to teaching music to Afghan street children, most of them girls. He also helps pay for their schooling.

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New recruits of the Afghan 215th Corps assemble at Camp Shorabak in Helmand Province.

In Helmand, Afghan General Fights Taliban 'Cancer' With Some Help From U.S. Marines

7:42pm November 08, 2017

by Tom Bowman

U.S. Marines have returned to Afghanistan's Helmand Province with a small training force. They are hoping a new Afghan general will lead his troops to success.

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Afghan policemen stand guard near an entrance gate at the Shamshad TV Network after gunmen who were reportedly disguised as policemen stormed the media outlet in Kabul on Tuesday.

World News

Kabul TV Station Goes Back On Air After Being Attacked By Armed Militants

12:52pm November 07, 2017

by Bill Chappell

Shamshad TV employees tell local media that after the sound of an explosion and gunfire, they scrambled to get out of the building.

Violent gun deaths per 100,000 people in 2016

Gun Violence: Comparing The U.S. With Other Countries

3:36pm November 06, 2017

by Nurith Aizenman

The latest data on deaths by gun violence shows how the U.S. ranks among rich nations and lower income countries.

ICC prosecutor Fatou Bensouda said she has decided to request authorization to open a formal investigation of war crimes in Afghanistan.

World News

ICC Prosecutor Calls For Afghanistan War Crimes Investigation

7:15pm November 03, 2017

by Merrit Kennedy

The scope of such a probe by the International Criminal Court isn't clear, but it could have the potential to involve U.S. troops.

Army Sgt. Bowe Bergdahl (center) arrives at the military courtroom facility for a sentencing hearing at Fort Bragg, N.C., on Friday.

National

Bowe Bergdahl's Sentence: No Prison Time

5:11pm November 03, 2017

by Merrit Kennedy

Bergdahl, who walked off his military post in Afghanistan in 2009 and was held by the Taliban for five years, was dishonorably discharged and will lose his rank and forfeit pay.

U.S. Army Sgt. Bowe Bergdahl is escorted into the Ft. Bragg military courthouse for the sentencing proceedings on Thursday in Ft. Bragg, N.C.

Closing Arguments Wrap Up In Bowe Bergdahl's Sentencing

5:27pm November 02, 2017

"Justice is not rescuing Sgt. Bergdahl from his Taliban captors, in the cage where he was for years, only to place him in a cell," said his defense. But prosecutors say he must be held responsible.

A Look At The State Of Diplomatic Efforts In Afghanistan

6:33pm October 31, 2017

by Tom Bowman

The U.S. military is sending more soldiers and marines to Afghanistan to work with Afghan forces at small combat outposts. But the State Department is largely staying behind the gates and blast walls of its Embassy in Kabul and not heading out into the field. Officials say it's because of security concerns, but critics say it prevents the U.S. from keeping an eye on how the billions of dollars in aid is being spent and improving governance across the country.

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New members of the Afghan special forces attend their graduation ceremony earlier this month at the Afghan Corp, on the outskirts of Kabul.

World News

U.S. Military Withholds Key Measures Of Afghan War

6:09pm October 31, 2017

by Merrit Kennedy

Basic information has been restricted in a new report from a watchdog agency, such as the number of Afghan troops that have died, the exact size of the force, and the readiness of their equipment.