Afghanistan

After Years Of War, Trump Stands To Inherit Ongoing Conflicts

6:33pm January 18, 2017

by David Welna

President-elect Trump will inherit ongoing conflicts with no end in sight when he takes the oath of office — a brutal fight against the Islamic State and a never-ending stalemate in Afghanistan.

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Afghan villagers gather around several victims' bodies who were killed in the November battle in Kunduz province, Afghanistan.

U.S. Forces 'Acted In Self-Defense' In Battle That Killed 33 Civilians In Afghanistan

4:23pm January 12, 2017

by Merrit Kennedy

"To defend themselves and Afghan forces, U.S. forces returned fire in self-defense at Taliban who were using civilian houses as firing positions," according to a U.S. military report.

Afghan security personnel arrive at the site of two bombs on Tuesday near the Afghan parliament in Kabul.

World News

Twin Blasts Kill Dozens In Kabul, Afghanistan

4:48pm January 10, 2017

by Merrit Kennedy

The explosions near the parliament building in Kabul killed at least 30 people and injured at least 70. Bombings in two other provinces Tuesday also caused multiple casualties.

World News

Dozens Killed In Bombing Near Afghan Parliament

4:36pm January 10, 2017

by Nishant Dahiya

At least 30 people are dead and another 70 injured in a bombing near the Afghan Parliament in Kabul on Tuesday.

National

VFW Recruits On College Campus To Bring Young Vets Into The Fold

4:11pm December 29, 2016

by Fred Thys

The VFW wants more younger vets — those who served in Afghanistan and Iraq. Students at Northeastern University who are looking to be part of the VFW have come up with an idea: a VFW post on campus.

Clockwise from upper left: Dr. Forster Amponsah; a Malick Sidbe photo taken in Mali; a global garden of radio; Chewa the TB-sniffing rat; another Sidbe photo; Olympic medalist Fu Yuanhui of China; the New Mexico cave where a superhero bacterium lived; pov

Editors' Choice: 9 Global Feelgood Stories From 2016

10:34pm December 22, 2016

by NPR Staff

In a year marked by turmoil and tragedy, the Goats and Soda team has picked some of the stories that inspired us, gave us hope, made us grin.

A soldier fires a Carl Gustav recoilless rifle system during weapons practice in Helmand province, Afghanistan. Heavy weapons like these generate a shock wave that may cause brain injuries.

Pentagon Shelves Blast Gauges Meant To Detect Battlefield Brain Injuries

8:40am December 20, 2016

by Jon Hamilton

The military hoped the body-worn sensors would identify troops with brain injuries from a bomb blast. Instead, the sensors showed service members may be at risk from firing their own weapons.

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Demonstrators protest against the deportation of refugees back to Afghanistan at the Frankfurt, Germany, airport Wednesday night.

World News

Germany Deports First Group Of Afghan Asylum Seekers

8:13am December 15, 2016

by Soraya Sarhaddi Nelson

The 34 Afghan asylum seekers departed Frankfurt Airport for Kabul on a chartered flight. The deportations have been criticized for potentially putting the migrants back into harm's way.

'It Is A Dream,' Says Afghan 'Little Messi' Of Meeting His Idol

5:33pm December 14, 2016

by Bill Chappell

Months after a boy in rural Afghanistan became a sensation for wearing a homemade Lionel Messi jersey, he's now met the soccer star and watched his FC Barcelona team play.

Defense Secretary Ash Carter and Army Gen. John Nicholson speak at a news conference during Carter's farewell visit to Afghanistan.

World News

Defense Secretary Ash Carter Makes Surprise Visit To Afghanistan

4:48pm December 09, 2016

by Laurel Wamsley

"The interests we are pursuing here are clear and enduring," said Carter. President-elect Trump's plans for U.S. involvement in the country aren't known.