Kabul

World News

A Look At Afghanistan's 40 Years Of Crisis — From The Soviet War To Taliban Recapture

3:46pm August 19, 2021

by Hannah Bloch

Afghans have lived through Soviet and U.S. invasions, civil war, insurgency and a previous six-year period of heavy-handed Taliban rule. Here are some key events and dates from the past four decades.

U.S. soldiers stand guard as Afghans wait Monday at the Kabul airport following the swift end to Afghanistan's 20-year war.

National

As The Taliban Made Their Way To Kabul, Biden Ordered Troops Into Afghanistan

7:32pm August 17, 2021

by Brian Naylor

President Biden gave the order last week to send U.S. troops into Afghanistan as it became clear the Taliban were overrunning Afghan government forces on their way to taking the capital of Kabul.

Smoke rises next to the U.S. Embassy in Kabul, on Sunday. Taliban fighters have entered the outskirts of the Afghan capital, further tightening their grip on the country.

World News

Afghan President Ashraf Ghani Leaves Country As Taliban Forces Enter Kabul

10:31am August 15, 2021

by Dave Mistich

The president of the U.S.-backed Afghan government reportedly went to neighboring Tajikistan as the insurgency's forces swept into the capital Sunday.

A Taliban fighter stands guard over surrendered Afghan security member forces in the city of Ghazni, southwest of Kabul, Afghanistan, on Friday.

World News

Taliban Forces Continue Their Offensive As They Approach Kabul

7:47pm August 14, 2021

by Dave Mistich

As Taliban forces continue a sweeping offensive and are nearing the capital, trust in Afghanistan's government is dwindling despite the Afghan president's vow to prevent further instability.

Murals are seen along the walls at a quiet U.S. Embassy on July 30 in Kabul, Afghanistan.

World News

U.S. Embassy In Kabul Tells Staff To Destroy Sensitive Material And Evacuate

3:42pm August 13, 2021

by Greg Myre

A memo obtained by NPR lays out the emergency preparations being made by American diplomats at the U.S. Embassy in Kabul — including the destruction of sensitive documents and computers.

Afghan security personnel guard Kabul's Green Zone, which houses embassies, in May. An additional 3,000 U.S. troops are heading to Afghanistan to assist with evacuation efforts, according to the Pentagon.

World News

U.S. Is Starting To Evacuate Some Embassy Staff From Afghanistan With Military Help

7:10pm August 12, 2021

by Vanessa Romo

The State Department is reducing the U.S. Embassy in Kabul to a "core diplomatic presence" amid the deteriorating security situation.

Internally displaced Afghan families, who fled from Kunduz, Takhar and Baghlan provinces due to battles between the Taliban and Afghan security forces, sit in front of temporary tents on Wednesday at Sara-e-Shamali in Kabul.

World News

The Taliban Now Control Two-Thirds Of Afghanistan

6:58pm August 12, 2021

by Emily Alfin Johnson

As of Thursday morning, the Taliban now hold 10 provincial capital cities — effectively putting them in control of two-thirds of Afghanistan.

Afghan women look at the skyline of Kabul in September.

World News

'Our Houses Are Not Safe': Residents Fear Taliban In Afghanistan's Capital

7:59pm December 18, 2020

The Taliban have waged attacks across the country, prompting a call to reduce the violence from Gen. Mark Milley. In Kabul, the public worries about the Taliban's return.

Queue Listen Now

Players from the Herat Storm celebrate after winning the championship of the Afghan women's soccer league on October 16 in Kabul.

Women Of Afghanistan Won't Give Up Their Soccer Dreams

7:00am November 08, 2020

At the championship of the Afghan women's soccer league, players sprint across the field. Hoodie-style hijabs cover their hair. The scene was once unthinkable. But now the players face new obstacles.

Health & Safety

No Rest For The Gravediggers Of Afghanistan

9:01am July 01, 2020

They are working harder than ever to keep up with the death toll from the novel coronavirus. "People bring their dead during the day and during the night," says a gravedigger named Abbas.