Afghanistan

U.S. Launches Airstrikes In Support Of Afghan Operation In Sangin

4:18pm December 24, 2015

NPR's Robert Siegel interviews Sune Engel Rasmussen, who covers Afghanistan for the Guardian, about the latest on the siege of Sangin in southern Afghanistan, which the Taliban attempted to overrun. U.S. aircraft have carried out two attacks there in support of Afghan government forces fighting to push the Taliban back.

Army Sgt. Bowe Bergdahl leaves a military courthouse Tuesday in Fort Bragg, N.C. Bergdahl was arraigned on charges of desertion and endangering troops stemming from his decision to leave his outpost in Afghanistan in 2009.

National

Bowe Bergdahl Defers Entering Plea At Arraignment

1:58pm December 22, 2015

by Laura Wagner

In his first appearance before a military judge on charges of desertion and misbehavior before the enemy, Bergdahl did not enter a plea. "The accused wishes to defer for reflection," his lawyer said.

Hungarian police officers stop a group of refugees near a makeshift camp for asylum seekers in Roszke, southern Hungary, in September 2015.

World News

The Number Of Migrants And Refugees Arriving In Europe Tops 1 Million

7:06am December 22, 2015

by Eyder Peralta

Most of them are from Syria, Africa and South Asia. The International Organization for Migration says this is the highest migration flow since World War II.

Six U.S. Troops Killed In Afghanistan In Suicide Blast

7:15pm December 21, 2015

by Laura Wagner

The White House said in a statement that the Taliban was responsible for the attack.

NPR's Steve Inskeep interviews President Obama at the White House.

Obama Makes 'No Apologies' For Fighting ISIS Within 'American Values'

2:53pm December 21, 2015

by Amita Kelly

In an interview with NPR, President Obama forcefully defended his strategy against ISIS and encouraged Americans to "keep things in perspective."

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After 40 Years Of Service, Gen. John Kelly To Retire Next Month

2:03pm December 21, 2015

U.S. Marine General and head of Southern Command John Kelly looks back with NPR's Renee Montagne on his time in Iraq, the war in Afghanistan, and what it means to serve the country.

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Two young Afghan women, Shopirai Otmonkhel and Zahra Karimi Nooristani, hold the Afghan flag on an unnamed peak in Panjshir. They were among 13 Afghan girls and young women who took part in a 16-day climbing expedition in northeast Afghanistan.

For Young Afghan Women, Scaling Mountain Peaks Brings Highs And Lows

6:14am December 19, 2015

by Soraya Sarhaddi Nelson

Months of training culminated with reaching the summit of a 16,500-foot peak, which they named. But there were frustrations and squabbles along the away, and uncertainties as they returned to Kabul.

Senior Airman Frances Gavalis tosses unserviceable uniform items into a burn pit at Balad Air Base, Iraq in 2008. The military destroyed uniforms, equipment and other materials in huge burn pits in Iraq and Afghanistan. Some veterans say those pits are re

Veterans Say 'Burn Pits' Created Toxic Clouds That Made Them Sick

1:36pm December 18, 2015

During the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, open-air pits were used to incinerate refuse including plastics and human waste. Now, U.S. veterans are claiming these burn pits caused chronic ailments.

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World News

Afghan Female Climbing Team Faced Daunting Obstacles Besides The Mountain

1:50pm December 17, 2015

by Soraya Sarhaddi Nelson

The young female climbers became the first to scale a nearly 17,000-foot peak in Afghanistan. As jubilant as the American-led ascent was, the Afghan team's descent proved more treacherous.

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An Afghan military base, left, and an American military base at Camp Garmser, Helmand province, in southern Afghanistan.

World News

Afghanistan Security Situation Deteriorated In 2015, Pentagon Report Says

4:56pm December 15, 2015

by Laura Wagner

The new report says there was an uptick in Taliban attacks and casualties among Afghan forces. It also says ISIS is becoming a greater threat in that country.