Afghanistan

World News

Afghanistan's Next Generation Wants Taliban Held Accountable

12:28pm July 01, 2013

NATO troops pull out of Afghanistan by the end of 2014, leaving some Afghans concerned about security. The withdrawal of foreign troops also opens up multiple chances for a successful democracy. A new generation is emerging in Afghanistan that is more educated, more connected with the world and more hopeful about the future than previous generations. Renee Montagne talks to with Shaharzad Akbar, chairperson for Afghanistan 1400; and Haseeb Humayoon, founding partner and director of QARA Consulting.

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A soldier from the 4th Battalion, 9th Infantry Regiment, Manchus, looks toward the tree line through his rifle scope while on a foot patrol to visit Afghan Local Police in the Panjwai District of Kandahar province in southern Afghanistan. Panjwai is one o

World News

Friction Among Afghans A Threat To Post-U.S. Mission

3:48pm June 25, 2013

by Tom Bowman

By this time next year, there will be roughly half as many U.S. troops in Afghanistan as there are today. And for U.S. strategy in the country to work, Afghan security forces will have to hold off the Taliban after the Americans leave. But it's unclear if the Afghans will all stand together.

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10 Things to Know for Tuesday June 25, 2013

8:40am June 25, 2013

Your daily look at late-breaking news, upcoming events and the stories that will be talked about today:

What's Changed In The Military, And What's Next

3:57pm June 24, 2013

A shrinking Pentagon budget, a changing role for women in combat, and the planned 2014 exit from Afghanistan are just some of the factors that will shape the future of military life. As part of TOTN's "Looking Ahead" series, guests discuss what's ahead for men and women in uniform.

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Anna holds the flag that was draped over Nick's coffin at his memorial service. She and her husband, Michael, have created a shrine to Nick in their dining room.

After A Marine's Suicide, A Family Recalls Missed Red Flags

10:18pm June 19, 2013

by NPR Staff

When Nicholas Rodriguez returned from Afghanistan in 2010, his mother and stepfather had never heard of post-traumatic stress disorder. It was only after Nick killed himself that they learned the warning signs and realized he needed help dealing with his combat experience.

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World News

A Look Ahead To The Future Of Afghanistan

2:07pm June 18, 2013

Twelve years after the war began, Afghanistan's president announced Tuesday that Afghan forces officially assumed control of security for the country. U.S. and NATO troops will remain until the 2014 deadline, but the Afghan military is now expected to fight without NATO support.

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Villagers in Kasan gather to meet with Afghan local police and the Afghan National Army along with ANASF team members during a morning shura to discuss security.

World News

As U.S. Troops Draw Down, Can Afghans Take The Lead?

11:25am June 12, 2013

by Tom Bowman

There are two-dozen Afghan special forces teams in eastern Afghanistan. The Americans want to train six more. Still, they are a small fraction of an Afghan army that is still spotty in its performance.

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World News

U.S. Worries Afghan Forces Will Divide Along Ethnic Lines

8:11am June 04, 2013

by Tom Bowman

The American combat mission in Afghanistan will end in 2014. One concern for U.S. officials is the possibility that Afghan security forces will splinter along ethnic lines. The worry then is that those troops will start taking orders from warlords.

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Op-Ed: Midnight Meals Are Key To Military Morale

4:59pm June 03, 2013

Midnight dinner service will be canceled at Camp Leatherneck in Afghanistan in June. Officials say it's part of the drawdown process, and though it might not sound like a big deal, former U.S. Army paratrooper David Brown says Marines at Camp Leatherneck stand to lose more than just food.

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The gray line in the upper left comes from an aerial view of Afghanistan's crucial Highway 1, the main route between Kabul and Kandahar, the two biggest cities. U.S. forces are still working to secure the route which runs through lush farm valleys and the

As The Clock Ticks, U.S. Forces Scale Back Afghan Goals

6:15pm May 30, 2013

by Tom Bowman

The 12-year U.S. military effort in Afghanistan has sought to drive out extremists and help Afghans rebuild their country. As the American forces prepare to withdraw, the focus is on practical security measures and those ambitious nation-building goals seem to be fading away.

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