Dec. 16, 2010
Gen. Keane: Pakistani Government, Military 'Willingly Support' Taliban
President Obama said gains against al-Qaida in Afghanistan are "considerable" but "fragile and reversible" as part of a new war strategy review. Jim Lehrer gets views from Andrew Wilder of the U.S. Institute of Peace and retired Gen. Jack Keane who says Pakistan's government and military aid and abet Taliban sanctuaries.

Blog: Quick Take: Afghan Policy Review

Dec. 3, 2010
Obama Surprises Troops in Afghanistan; Weather Scrubs Karzai Visit
President Obama talked up military progress against the Taliban Friday during a surprise visit with troops in Afghanistan. Amid strains in the relationship between their two governments, he phoned Afghan leader Hamid Karzai after weather canceled a face-to-face meeting. Judy Woodruff has the story.

Nov. 15, 2010
Kerry: U.S. Shouldn't Blow Karzai's Criticism Out of Proportion
Margaret Warner talks to Sen. John Kerry, chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, about the most pressing issues in U.S. foreign policy, including Afghan President Hamid Karzai's most recent criticism of the U.S. mission in his country.

Nov. 15, 2010
Karzai Criticism of U.S. Mission Renews Afghan-American Tensions
Afghan President Hamid Karzai told the Washington Post this weekend that the U.S. should scale back its mission, including night raids, in Afghanistan. The comments are the latest source of tension between Karzai's government and the Obama administration. Gwen Ifill has details.

Nov. 10, 2010
Afghan Poll Shows Persistent Worries Over Security, Corruption
The headlines from an extensive poll of Afghans released yesterday were all-but-unanimous: "Afghans are more optimistic than last year."

Oct. 29, 2010
Afghanistan Tops Agenda at Upcoming NATO Summit in Portugal
NATO leaders will convene next month in Portugal at a moment when NATO casualties in Afghanistan are rising and there are growing reports of corruption in Karzai's government.

Oct. 26, 2010
Bags of Cash: Are Iran, Karzai Playing All Sides?
Jim Lehrer gets perspectives on the Iranian payments to Afghanistan officials from former Afghan Interior Minister Ali Jalali and Steve Clemons of The New America Foundation and The Washington Note blog.

Report: Iran Says Payments to Afghan Government for Reconstruction

Oct. 15, 2010
Will 'Target and Talk' Approach Work With the Taliban?
The Obama administration is ramping up an Afghan war strategy that combines attacks on the Taliban while assisting peace talks. Will it work? Margaret Warner gets two views.

Report: U.S. Pushes to End Military Stalemate With Taliban

Sept. 20, 2010
Violence, Turnout, Fraud Remain Top Concerns in Afghan Election Efforts
Gwen Ifill speaks with election observer Scott Worden about the latest vote in Afghanistan and concerns about violence, fraud and low turnout.

Report: Counting Begins in Afghan Vote Amid Attacks, Fraud Claims

Sept. 20, 2010
Afghanistan Analyst: Election Marks an Achievement, But Complaints Pile Up
Afghans voted Saturday in their second parliamentary poll since the U.S.-led invasion. On Monday, allegations of voter intimidation and fraud began rolling in, raising serious concerns among election observers.

Sept. 17, 2010
Afghan Voters Prepare for Parliamentary Elections
Amid the ongoing war there, Afghanistan's citizens are preparing for parliamentary elections. Ray Suarez looks at the preparations.

Sept. 9, 2010
Corruption Allegations Test Afghan Banking System
Allegations of corruption in the Afghan banking system are causing fury and concern among citizens who fear their money isn't safe. Margaret Warner talks to Washington Post correspondent Rajiv Chandrasekaran for more.

Aug. 30, 2010
Karzai's Commitment Examined Amid Fresh Tensions With U.S.
Afghan President Hamid Karzai sharply criticized coalition strategy over the weekend, saying it "has been ineffective apart from causing civilian casualties." The criticism came after new reports surfaced of corruption inside his government and spikes in coalition deaths across Afghanistan. Ray Suarez gets two views.

Report: In Afghanistan, 14 U.S. Troops Killed in 3 Days

Aug. 16, 2010
Karzai's Call to Expel Contractors Poses Big Logistical Hurdles
According to a spokesman, Afghan President Hamid Karzai wants all private security contractors out of Afghanistan within a matter of months. Judy Woodruff discusses the politics, economics and logistics with analysts Matthew Rosenberg and Doug Brooks.

Report: Karzai Calls for Private Security Contractors to Leave Afghanistan

Aug. 9, 2010
Aid Group Says It's Staying Put in Afghanistan Despite Deadly Ambush
International Assistance Mission, a Christian charity with deep roots in Afghanistan, says it has no plans to leave the war-torn country, even after several of its workers and Afghan guides were killed in a Taliban ambush. Gwen Ifill has the latest on the killings and the international response.

Analysis: Dangers Limiting Aid Groups' Ability to Work Outside Kabul

July 30, 2010
For Troops, IEDs Mean 'Every Step Could Be Your Last'
As the deadliest month for U.S. troops of the Afghan war draws to a close, IEDs remain a major cause of coalition deaths. Ray Suarez reports.

July 30, 2010
For Insurgents, IEDS a 'Smart,' But Indiscriminate, Weapon
The deaths of six more U.S. soldiers in Afghanistan made for another record month of troop deaths and brought new attention on the dangers of roadside bombs known as IEDs. Ray Suarez speaks with Marine Staff Sgt. Todd Bowers of the Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America and retired Army Col. Peter Mansoor.

July 27, 2010
Wartime Security Breach of Afghan War Files Concerns Senators
Jim Lehrer speaks with Sens. Jack Reed, D-R.I., and Republican Kit Bond of Missouri about national security concerns about WikiLeaks publishing sensitive information about the Afghan war and potentially helping enemies.

July 26, 2010
WikiLeaks Revelations Raise Questions Over Pakistan's Role in Afghan War
Whistle-blowing website WikiLeaks released thousands of U.S. military documents related to the Afghan war on Sunday, creating a major stir among government officials and raising questions about Pakistani involvement in the war.

July 26, 2010
WikiLeaks Documents: What War Info Can Be Verified?
In the wake of the WikiLeaks whistle-blower website releasing thousands of documents detailing Afghan war operations, Jeffrey Brown discusses the military significance with Steve Coll, president of the New America Foundation, and documentary filmmaker Philip Smucker, who have both written about the war.

July 20, 2010
Karzai Calls on Afghans to Take Charge of Own Security by 2014
Afghan President Hamid Karzai challenged his nation to take charge of its own security by 2014 and asked representatives at a Kabul conference for more support from the global community.

Analysis: Veteran State Department official James Dobbins and an Afghan-American, Nazif Shahrani, who is a professor at Indiana University, discuss the conference.

July 14, 2010
In Afghanistan, Coalition on Track for Another Deadly Record
Eight U.S. and three British soldiers were killed in action in Afghanistan in 24 hours, bringing the NATO casualty list for July to 45. Jim Lehrer reports.

Analysis: Maj. Benjamin Tupper, who was an embedded trainer with the Afghan National Army, and Maj. Gen. Charles Dunlap, who was the Air Force's No. 2 lawyer until his recent retirement, offer their perspectives.

July 6, 2010
U.S. Battles to Train Local Forces in Afghanistan
U.S. troops are continuing their efforts to build up local security forces in Afghanistan, but so far with mixed results. Margaret Warner talks with GlobalPost reporter Jean MacKenzie, who recently returned from Kabul.

June 30, 2010
Holbrooke: No 'Dysfunctional Relationship' Exists for U.S. Leaders in Afghan War
Gwen Ifill talks with Richard Holbrooke, the U.S. special representative for Afghan and Pakistan, about the firing of Gen. Stanley McChrystal and the U.S. strategy in Afghanistan going forward.

June 29, 2010
Report: Rating System of Afghan Forces 'Not Reliable'
A special inspector general report issued late Monday says the rating system of Afghan security forces is not reliable and training efforts face "serious challenges".

June 24, 2010
U.S., Afghan Officials Say War Strategy on Track After Leadership Shakeup
Defense Secretary Robert Gates said the U.S. mission and strategy in Afghanistan will not change, following the ouster of Gen. Stanley McChrystal. Judy Woodruff reports on the reactions to the appointment of Gen. David Petraeus to command NATO forces in Afghanistan.

Blog: Over Time, Petraeus Tapped to Oversee Combat, Security Operations

June 24, 2010
After Iraq Tenure, Examining What Petraeus Brings to Afghan Effort
Pending confirmation by the Senate, Gen. David Petraeus will take the helm of U.S. forces and counterinsurgency strategy in Afghanistan. Judy Woodruff gets three views on how Petraeus will lead the war effort.

June 23, 2010
Obama: McChrystal Departure is 'Right Thing' for Afghanistan Mission
The U.S. mission in Afghanistan will be in new hands following the resignation of Gen. Stanley McChrystal over disparaging remarks about the Obama administration. Gwen Ifill recaps the day's developments, including the president's remarks about accepting the resignation.

Analysis: Afghanistan Policy, Goals Reexamined Upon McChrystal Departure

Analysis: Political Fallout of McChrystal Ouster Examined

Q&A With Military Historian: Relieving Generals 'Rare' in Time of War

June 22, 2010
McChrystal's Future in Limbo Over Criticism
Gen. Stanley McChrystal, the top U.S. commander in Afghanistan, made a swift apology to Obama administration officials for critical remarks that were published in a Rolling Stone article. Jim Lehrer gets three points of view on the fallout from the general's quotes.

June 15, 2010
Afghan War Hearing in Senate Postponed After Petraeus Collapse
Gen. David Petraeus, head of the U.S. Central Command, appeared to faint while facing tough questions from a Senate panel about the progress of the war in Afghanistan. Margaret Warner reports on growing concerns about the latest violence and the tensions with President Hamid Karzai's government.

June 15, 2010
Afghan Violence Ignites New Concerns About U.S. Military Strategy
For more on the fresh violence in Afghanistan, Margaret Warner talks to Rajiv Chandrasekaran of The Washington Post, Lt. Col. John Nagl, president of the Center for New American Security, and Col. Andrew Bacevich of Boston University.

June 14, 2010
Pentagon: Afghanistan Could Hold $1 Trillion in Valuable Minerals
A U.S. geologic survey has uncovered at least $1 trillion in untapped mineral deposits in Afghanistan. Margaret Warner talks to a reporter on what the valuable natural resources could mean for the Afghan economy and the ongoing war with the Taliban.

June 10, 2010
Author Junger Portrays Soldiers' Reliance on Each Other in 'War'
Jeffrey Brown talks with author and journalist Sebastian Junger about his latest book, "War," which tells the stories of an isolated platoon of soldiers on the front lines in Afghanistan.

June 8, 2010
NATO Bloodshed in Afghanistan Spikes Ahead of Planned Surge
Violence raged in Afghanistan this week, just ahead of the launch of a major NATO offensive in the country's Taliban-held south. Ray Suarez talks to GlobalPost reporter Jean MacKenzie in Kabul for the latest.

June 4, 2010
Afghan Conference Backs Plan for Peace Talks With Taliban
More than 1,500 tribal elders, business and religious leaders and other members of Afghan society -- assembled in the capital for a three-day peace "jirga" or conference -- on Friday endorsed President Hamid Karzai's plan calling for negotiating with the Taliban on ending the eight-year war.

May 21, 2010
Karzai Opponent Abdullah Looks to Bolster Afghan Opposition Movement
Margaret Warner interviews Afghan opposition leader Abdullah Abdullah about President Karzai's leadership and the ongoing war in Afghanistan, more than six months after Abdullah dropped out of the runoff election against the current president.

Blog: Abdullah: 'Corrective Steps' Needed to Make Afghan Elections More Transparent

May 12, 2010
Obama, Karzai Renew Pledge to Continue Fight Against Al-Qaida in Afghanistan
President Obama met with Afghan President Hamid Karzai in Washington, following months of tension over accusations of government corruption. Gwen Ifill talks to former Ambassador Zalmay Khalilzad and Alexander Thier of the U.S. Institute of Peace about the state of U.S.-Afghan relations.

May 12, 2010
Obama, Karzai Reaffirm U.S.-Afghan Partnership at Press Conference
After months of public discord, President Barack Obama and Afghan President Hamid Karzai reaffirmed their countries' strong ties and commitment to a secure and stable Afghanistan at a joint White House press conference Wednesday.

May 10, 2010
Withdrawal of U.S. Troops From Afghanistan Hangs Over Karzai Visit
The July 2011 deadline President Barack Obama set to start withdrawing U.S. forces from Afghanistan serves as the backdrop and lends some urgency to Afghan President Hamid Karzai's meetings in Washington, D.C., this week, analysts say.

March 30, 2010
Turning the Corner on Corruption in Afghanistan
Judy Woodruff talks to Ali Jalali, Afghanistan's former interior minister, and Clare Lockhart, a former United Nations adviser to Afghanistan, about whether President Hamid Karzai is following up on his promises to curtail corruption.

Report: Afghanistan Pushed to Confront Corruption

March 28, 2010
Obama Hits on Corruption, Military Issues in Surprise Afghan Trip
President Barack Obama on Sunday made an unannounced visit to Afghanistan -- the first of his presidency -- to discuss anti-corruption measures in the Karzai government and visit with U.S. military leaders and troops.

March 10, 2010
U.S. May Withdraw Troops From Afghanistan Ahead of Schedule
Defense Secretary Robert Gates suggested the security handover in Afghanistan could happen before July 2011. Gates, on a trip to the region, traded barbs with Iran's president who also visited Kabul this week. Judy Woodruff reports.

March 2, 2010
Afghan Officials Look to Build Stability in Helmand Province
Afghan officials are focused on bringing stable governance and public infrastructure services to the former Taliban stronghold of Marjah, after raising the Afghan flag over the city last week. Alex Thomson reports for ITN.

February 26, 2010
Army Sees Marjah Offensive as a Model for Afghan Military Strategy
After Friday's deadly suicide bombing in Kabul, Judy Woodruff spoke with Army Brig. Gen. Ben Hodges in Kandahar about coalition strategies in the region.

Extended Interview: Military Turns to Kandahar

February 23, 2010
Reporter Gets Look 'Behind Taliban Lines'
Last summer, Afghan reporter Najibullah Quraishi got an unprecedented look at the Taliban's attack tactics in Baghlan province in the northern part of the country, living with the insurgents and documenting their moves.

February 22, 2010
In Afghanistan, Civilian Casualties Draw Sharp Criticism
As civilian deaths mount in the fight against the Taliban, Afghan officials say they need better communication with NATO troops. Margaret Warner talks to a Wall Street Journal reporter about tensions after an airstrike killed civilians Sunday.

Report: Afghan Officials Condemn Deadly NATO Airstrike

February 19, 2010
In Afghanistan, Forces Face Tough Task of Extracting Taliban From Marjah
Several NATO deaths have been reported as the fight in the Taliban in stronghold of Marjah wraps up its first week. Judy Woodruff gets an update on progress in the region from a Marine reserves staff sergeant who served in Afghanistan and a military journalist.

Report: Marines Surge Strikes Taliban Snipers in Helmand Province

February 16, 2010
Taliban Commander Captured as Coalition Forces Make New Gains
The campaign to crush Taliban fighters in the southern Afghanistan city of Marjah moved swiftly in its fourth day with the capture of resistance leader Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar in Pakistan. Judy Woodruff speaks with Afghanistan political experts Seth Jones, Thomas Johnson and Steve Coll.

Q&A: CIA-Pakistan Sting Nets No. 2 Taliban Leader

February 15, 2010
Marines Forge Ahead as Taliban Offensive Narrows
For a third day, American and British forces continued their push on the Taliban stronghold of Marjah in southern Afghanistan. Ray Suarez speaks to Rod Nordland of The New York Times who has been covering the story from Kabul.

Blog: Gunfights Mark Third Day of Offensive in Southern Afghanistan

February 10, 2010
Should the U.S. Be Talking to the Taliban?
Even as the U.S. ramps up its military campaign in Afghanistan, American and Afghan officials are pursuing political solutions to reconcile with the Taliban and end eight years of violence. Though Taliban leaders say they aren't open to negotiation, Afghan and U.N. officials have forged ahead with private talks.

January 18, 2010
Kabul Briefly Paralyzed by Bold Militant Assault
The Afghan capital was paralyzed for hours Monday as militants laid siege to Kabul, detonating explosives, hurling grenades and engaging security forces in a fierce gun fight.

January 5, 2010
Attack on CIA in Afghanistan Blamed on Double Agent
The suicide bomber who killed seven CIA officers in Afghanistan last week is reported to have been a Jordanian double agent who American officials recruited to help provide intelligence on al-Qaida leaders. Gwen Ifill speaks with two experts about who the attacker was, and how he was able to carry out the devastating attack.

January 4, 2010
In Afghanistan, Cabinet Fight Clouds Reform Efforts
Afghanistan's parliament delivered a stinging rebuke to President Hamid Karzai on Saturday after rejecting 17 or his 24 cabinet nominees. Margaret Warner speaks with Afghanistan's ambassador to the U.S., Said Jawad, about what the vote means for his country's already cloudy political future.

December 31, 2009
CIA Hunts for Answers After Deadly Afghanistan Attack
The director of the Central Intelligence Agency reported Thursday that seven CIA employees were killed in an attack on a U.S. military base in Afghanistan. Jeffrey Brown reports, and then Ray Suarez speaks with a Washington Post reporter who covers U.S. intelligence.

December 16, 2009
Taliban 'Protection Money': Supply Line Strategy or Stability Underminer?
When President Obama said he was sending more troops to Afghanistan, he said he wanted them there as quickly as possible. The challenges to moving troops and supplies around a rugged country in such a tight timeframe soon became apparent.

December 11, 2009
In Germany, 'National Guilt' Stirs Against Afghan War
Germany has the third largest contingent of forces in Afghanistan, yet among a population still haunted by World War II a deep-rooted anti-war sentiment persists. Margaret Warner reports.

December 8, 2009
World Weary British Seek an End in Afghanistan
Margaret Warner travels to the tiny English village of Wootton Bassett and finds growing unease about British involvement in Afghanistan.

December 7, 2009
Mullen on Afghanistan: 'We Have Not Set a Withdrawal Date'
In an interview with Jim Lehrer, Chairman of the Joints Chief of Staff Adm. Mike Mullen discusses President Obama's plan to send an additional 30,000 soldiers to Afghanistan and a timetable for U.S. withdrawal.

December 7, 2009
With Afghan Plan Under Fire, Pentagon Issues First Deployments
More than half of the 30,000 additional soldiers President Obama will send to Afghanistan received their deployment orders Monday, despite lingering questions over a planned drawdown beginning in 2011.

December 7, 2009
Afghanistan Rebuilding: Challenges Ahead
The need to fix Afghanistan's roads, schools and other facilities is just one part of the massive rebuilding effort that lies ahead. Mark Schneider, senior vice president at the International Crisis Group, describes the governmental and rule of law challenges that loom just as large.

December 4, 2009
Clinton: Many Pakistanis Have 'Reflex of Skepticism' over U.S. Efforts
Secretary of State Hillary Clinton speaks to Margaret Warner about the surge in Afghanistan, NATO's help with the war and securing a withdrawal date for U.S. forces.

December 3, 2009
In Afghanistan Plan, Exit Strategy Remains a Sticking Point
Jim Lehrer speaks with former Army and CIA officers with experience in Afghanistan to get their take on President Obama's new plan to increase and eventually decrease the number of U.S. troops there.

December 2, 2009
Gates: Afghans Need to Accelerate Stabilization Efforts
Defense Secretary Robert Gates talks to Jim Lehrer about President Obama's decision to deploy 30,000 additional troops to Afghanistan after the new year.

December 2, 2009
Division on Capitol Hill Over Obama War Strategy
Gwen Ifill gets reactions to President Obama's Afghanistan strategy from lawmakers on Capitol Hill who remain divided over the president's announcement.

December 2, 2009
Americans Speak Out on New Afghanistan Strategy
Americans throughout the country expressed both approval and concerns regarding President Obama's new Afghanistan strategy. Spencer Michels reports.

December 2, 2009
Afghan War Timeline Remains Point of Contention for Many
Afghan War Timeline Remains Point of Contention for Many Editorial page writers from around the country throw in their opinions and reactions to President Obama's Afghanistan strategy unveiled Tuesday night.

December 2, 2009
Analysts Agree Obama's Afghan Plan Is Strong, But Some Question Timeline
President Obama on Tuesday outlined an approach to the Afghan war that will involve sending 30,000 more troops on an expedited mission to help secure Afghanistan and prevent a safe haven for al-Qaida in Pakistan.

December 1, 2009
Afghanistan Strategy Troublesome to Some Lawmakers
Ahead of President Barack Obama's address to the nation, Gwen Ifill speaks with policymakers to gauge reaction to the president's Afghanistan strategy that calls for deploying 30,000 additional troops.

December 1, 2009
Obama Outlines Plan for Afghanistan Troop Surge
After a months-long review of the U.S. war efforts in Afghanistan, President Barack Obama laid out a new course Tuesday night, saying it is in "our vital national interest" to deploy 30,000 more troops to the fight.

MP3 | Text: President Obama's full speech

November 30, 2009
U.S. Soldiers, Families Brace for More Deployments
In Colorado, Tom Bearden visited Fort Carson Army base to speak with troops ahead of President Obama's unveiling of his new Afghanistan plan.

November 30, 2009
U.S. Troops Reticent About Obama's New Afghan Strategy
Global Post correspondent Ben Gilbert gets reactions from U.S. troops stationed in Kandahar to President Obama's plan to deploy more troops to Afghanistan.

November 30, 2009
Obama Reaches Out to International Leaders for Support on Afghan Strategy
President Obama began to fill in world leaders about his new Afghan strategy in Afghanistan. Ray Suarez speaks with a New York Times reporter for more.

November 30, 2009
More Troops Expected in 'Center of Gravity' in Southern Afghanistan
The agricultural area of Kandahar in southern Afghanistan is vulnerable to insurgent forces, and therefore generally expected to receive more troops under President Obama's forthcoming revised Afghan strategy, reported Ben Gilbert of GlobalPost.

November 26, 2009
On Thanksgiving, Afghanistan Strategy Announcement Looms
Judy Woodruff speaks to a Washington Post reporter about developments in Afghanistan just days before President Obama makes a decision about U.S. strategy there.

November 26, 2009
Celebrating Thanksgiving From Thousands of Miles Away
While millions of Americans celebrate the Thanksgiving holiday at home, thousands of U.S. troops are spending it in Afghanistan and beyond. Kwame Holman reports.

November 25, 2009
How Would Obama's Troops Decision Impact Afghan War?
Margaret Warner sits down with two reporters who cover the Pentagon to sort through the various options President Obama is likely weighing as he prepares to make an announcement on the war in Afghanistan.

November 24, 2009
Stakes High as Obama Weighs Deploying More Troops
Judy Woodruff speaks with a panel of experts about what is at stake for the U.S. and Afghanistan as President Obama prepares to tweak his administration's strategy there.

November 24, 2009
Obama on Brink of Unveiling New Afghan Strategy
President Obama said Tuesday that he is ready to unveil his decision about whether to deploy more troops to Afghanistan next week. Margaret Warner reports.

November 24, 2009
Obama Decision on Afghan Strategy Said to Be 'Days Away'
A White House spokesman said Tuesday that President Barack Obama plans to reveal his decision on whether to send more U.S. troops to Afghanistan "within days" after holding a late-evening meeting with his top foreign policy and military advisers.

November 18, 2009
Afghan Corruption Complicates U.S. War Review
Gwen Ifill speaks with Afghanistan experts about the government's corruption and what that could mean for U.S. war strategy there.

November 18, 2009
Strategic Dilemmas in Afghanistan Recall Lessons from Vietnam War
As the Obama administration grapples with the question of whether to send more troops to Afghanistan, a number of historians have spoken about the similarities between the wars in Vietnam and Afghanistan.

November 9, 2009
Karzai on Firing Corrupt Officials: 'We Have and We Will'
In an exclusive interview with Margaret Warner, Afghan President Hamid Karzai discusses ending corruption in his country, his views on President Obama's rethinking of military strategy in the region, and more.

Transcript: Full Interview With Karzai

November 5, 2009
U.N. Exits Afghanistan Following Deadly Suicide Bombing
In Afghanistan, the U.N. announced that it is pulling back 600 employees after a deadly attack on staff. Margaret Warner has more from Kabul.

Video Collection: Watch All the On-the-Ground Reports From Afghanistan and Pakistan

November 4, 2009
Abdullah Calls for Legitimacy in Afghan Government
Former Afghan presidential candidate Abdullah Abdullah spoke with Margaret Warner in Kabul Wednesday to discuss his decision to drop out of the runoff election and allegations of electoral fraud shrouding President Hamid Karzai's new term.

November 3, 2009
U.S. Policymakers See Potential Shift in Afghanistan
Gwen Ifill speaks with policymakers about the American response to President Karzai's victory this week.

November 2, 2009
Afghanistan's Next Steps Unclear After Runoff Cancelation
Afghan President Hamid Karzai won another term in office after his opponent, Abdullah Abdullah, unexpectedly dropped out of the runoff election. Margaret Warner reports from Afghanistan.

November 2, 2009
Karzai Declared Winner of Afghan Election as Runoff Canceled
Afghanistan's Independent Election Commission declared Hamid Karzai winner of a second term as president Monday after it called off a runoff when his only rival withdrew from the race.

November 1, 2009
Karzai Challenger Withdraws from Runoff Vote
Afghan President Hamid Karzai's main election challenger said Sunday that he will withdraw from a planned Nov. 7 runoff, casting new doubts on the legitimacy of the Afghan government as the Obama administration debates U.S. strategy in the region.

October 29, 2009
Ex-State Department Official Explains Exit Over Afghan War Strategy
In an interview with Judy Woodruff, Matthew Hoh, the first U.S. official known to resign in protest to America's presence in Afghanistan, discusses his objections to the war.

October 29, 2009
The Thin Gray Line: The Education of Lt. Jake Kerr
Web-only video: Army Lt. Jake Kerr leads his motley “combat platoon” out of a small outpost along eastern Afghanistan's mountainous and porous border opposite Pakistan's tribal areas. A recent West Point graduate, Kerr, 25, of Lake Placid, N.Y., struggles to hone his skills as a peacemaker and diplomat even as the Taliban and his own “warrior” alter-ego draw him deeper into combat. Video by Philip Smucker

October 27, 2009
Survey Finds Afghans Optimistic, But Still Troubled by Security
A nationwide poll of Afghans released Tuesday by The Asia Foundation found more Afghans feel the country is moving in the right direction but are still concerned about security and local rebuilding projects.

Resource: The Asia Foundation's 2009 Afghan Survey (PDF)

October 27, 2009
October Afghan War's Deadliest Month for U.S.
Eight U.S. troops were killed in multiple bombings Tuesday in southern Afghanistan, making October the deadliest month of the war for U.S. forces since its start in 2001.

October 26, 2009
New York Times Reporter Rohde Details His Kidnapping by Taliban
New York Times reporter David Rohde recounts his abduction by the Taliban in the mountains of Afghanistan and Pakistan, and why his case was kept quiet in this Web-exclusive interview.

Web-only video: NYT's Rohde on Taliban Kidnapping

October 26, 2009
Dual Helicopter Crashes Kill 14 Americans in Afghanistan
Two separate helicopter crashes in Afghanistan killed a total of 14 Americans Monday, although military officials said enemy fire was not the likely cause of the crashes.

October 26, 2009
Former CIA Officer Weighs In on Afghan Strategy
As the Obama administration considers changes to its Afghan war strategy, former CIA operative Marc Sageman discusses working in Afghanistan and what the new strategy should entail.

Video Collection: View More Afghanistan Conversations

October 23, 2009
'Traumatized' Afghanistan Could Take Decades to Fix
Margaret Warner speaks with Rory Stewart, who spent two years walking across Afghanistan, about whether President Obama should commit more troops to the war there.

October 22, 2009
Afghan Opium's 'Devastating' Impact Outlined in U.N. Report
A new U.N. report describes Afghanistan as producing 92 percent of the world's opium market, feeding 15 million addicts and funding Taliban insurgents and terrorist organizations.

Resource: U.N. Office on Drugs and Crime Report (PDF)

October 20, 2009
In Afghanistan, Runoff Election Could Strengthen Democracy
Gwen Ifill speaks with experts on Afghanistan about the implications of President Karzai agreeing to a runoff election.

October 20, 2009
Afghan Election Panel Sets Nov. 7 Runoff
Afghanistan's Independent Election Commission on Tuesday ordered a runoff between President Hamid Karzai and former Foreign Minister Abdullah Abdullah to take place Nov. 7, after an investigation found countrywide voter fraud.

October 19, 2009
In Afghanistan, Disputed Ballots Point Toward Runoff
After months of speculation, investigators confirmed on Monday that the Afghan election was rife with fraud.

October 19, 2009
Election Commission Finds 'Great Deal of Fraud' Across Afghanistan
An investigation into allegations of fraud at polling sites in Afghanistan led a U.N.-backed commission to recommend disqualifying hundreds of thousands of votes. One of the commissioners explains in this Reporter's Podcast.

October 19, 2009
U.N. Probe Points to Possible Runoff in Afghanistan
After an investigation into allegations of fraud in Afghanistan's August presidential elections, a U.N.-backed election panel advised throwing out thousands of disputed votes, setting the stage for a possible runoff between the top two contenders.

October 16, 2009
Afghan Expert Riedel Weighs Obama's Strategic Options
Former CIA officer and terrorism expert Bruce Riedel discusses his book, "The Search for Al Qaeda: Its Leadership, Ideology, and Future", and his work chairing an Afghanistan policy review for the Obama administration.

October 16, 2009
Runoff Expected in Afghan Election, Reports Say
As a U.N.-backed commission neared a decision Friday on allegations of fraud in Afghanistan's presidential vote, media reports indicated a runoff may be likely between President Hamid Karzai and second-place finisher Abdullah Abdullah.

October 14, 2009
Afghanistan's Disputed Election Complicates U.S. Strategy
As President Obama develops a new Afghanistan strategy, rising violence there and an unresolved election have combined to sap public support for the war. Ashraf Ghani, who was one of Afghanistan's presidential candidates, discusses his country's future.

October 8, 2009
Afghanistan Ambassador Warns of Worsening Violence
Margaret Warner speaks with Afghanistan's ambassador to the United States, Said Jawad, about escalating Taliban violence and what is at stake for the U.S.

October 8, 2009
Bombing at Indian Embassy in Kabul Kills 17
A large car bomb exploded Thursday morning next to India's Embassy in the center of Afghanistan's capital Kabul, killing 17 people and wounding more than 80.

October 6, 2009
Obama Brings Congress Into Afghan Strategy Review
Reporters offer insight into President Obama's meeting with lawmakers Tuesday to discuss a strategy shift in Afghanistan and Pakistan.

October 5, 2009
New Attacks Add Gravity to Afghan Strategy Review
The U.S. toll in Afghanistan climbed after a weekend of heavy casualties as President Obama considers a push from top military commanders to add more troops to the conflict. Two military experts offer their views.

October 1, 2009
Disputed Afghan Election Leads to U.N. Staff Shake-up
A top U.S. official at the U.N. mission to Afghanistan has been dismissed after he accused his boss of hiding evidence of election fraud. The ousted diplomat, Peter Galbraith, and a U.N. official discuss the dispute.

September 29, 2009
Afghan Election Further Complicates Efforts to Shape Military Strategy
As the White House works to revamp U.S. strategy in Afghanistan, Sen. Carl Levin, D-Mich., and Saxby Chambliss, R-Ga., assess the call for more troops, the role of the Afghan election and a shift in U.S. public opinion on the war.

September 22, 2009
Amid Afghan Strategy Review, What Are the Options?
As the Obama administration reconsiders the U.S. options on the Afghan war, experts weigh in on the debate over sending more troops and containing the Taliban's influence.

September 21, 2009
Clinton: No Troop Moves Until Afghan Election Resolved
Secretary of State Hillary Clinton discusses U.S. commander in Afghanistan Gen. Stanley McChrystal's assessment of the war, the U.S. stance on the Karzai government and the U.N. General Assembly meeting.

September 16, 2009
Doubts Linger Over Targeting Al-Qaida Safe Havens
Growing unease has arisen in Washington over U.S. strategy aimed against eliminating so called "safe havens" for terror operatives in Afghanistan, Pakistan, and Somalia. Two experts provide insight.

September 15, 2009
Doubts Surface Among Democrats on Afghan War Strategy
During testimony on Capitol Hill Tuesday, Adm. Mike Mullen, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, said the Afghan war is growing more complicated and may require more troops. Margaret Warner reports on doubts among some Democrats on the strategy for Afghanistan.

September 11, 2009
Public Views Shifting on War in Afghanistan
Jeffrey Brown speaks with editorial page editors about the public's view on the war in Afghanistan and increasing doubts over sending more troops.

September 10, 2009
Perils of Reporting in War Zone Examined
Jeffrey Brown and guests discuss the dangers of reporting from a war zone following the rescue of a New York Times reporter.

September 10, 2009
Afghan Ballots Tossed Amid Fraud Concerns
Afghanistan's U.N.-backed elections commission threw out ballots Thursday from last month's unresolved and controversial election, saying there was evidence of fraud in a number of polling stations in certain provinces.

September 8, 2009
Election Concerns Threaten Future Stability in Afghanistan
Judy Woodruff reports on new allegations of fraud in last month's Afghan presidential election and talks to experts about implications for the future.

September 8, 2009
New Karzai Tally Would Avoid Run-off, but Fraud Concerns Persist
Afghan President Hamid Karzai's vote tally from last month's election surpassed the 50 percent threshold needed to avoid a run-off for the first time, new preliminary results released Tuesday show.

September 4, 2009
Concerns Intensify on Contractors in Afghanistan
Just as the American embassy in Kabul announced the firing of eight private security guards for misconduct, an investigation has begun to determine whether money received by some contractors was funneled to the Taliban. GlobalPost's Charles Sennott offers insight.

September 4, 2009
NATO to Probe Strike that Killed Dozens of Civilians
NATO plans to launch an investigation into an airstrike aimed at Taliban militants on Friday that inadvertently struck and killed scores of civilians. Meanwhile, in Britain, Prime Minister Gordon Brown sought to reassure skeptics about the rising number of British casualties in Afghanistan. ITN reports.

September 4, 2009
NATO Airstrike in Northern Afghanistan Kills as Many as 90
A NATO airstrike on two fuel trucks hijacked by the Taliban in northern Afghanistan Friday triggered a massive explosion that killed up to 90 people. Many of the causalities are reported to be civilians.

September 3, 2009
Gates Signals Openness to Adding Troops in Afghanistan
Defense Secretary Robert Gates told reporters Thursday he would be open to sending more troops to Afghanistan, despite mounting questions on the war.

September 2, 2009
Afghan Election Tensions, New Violence Renew Security Concerns
A top Afghan intelligence official was killed Wednesday in a suicide attack outside of Kabul. The blast came amid new allegations of fraud in the country's presidential election. Gwen Ifill talks to New York Times reporter Dexter Filkins in Kabul.

September 2, 2009
Bombing Kills Key Afghan Intelligence Official as Election Tensions Linger
The Taliban claimed credit for a suicide bombing Wednesday that killed Afghanistan's deputy chief of intelligence and at least 22 other people outside a mosque in the provincial capital Mehtar Lam, east of Kabul.

September 1, 2009
Grim Military Report Stirs Questions on Afghan Strategy
A sober assessment by the top U.S. commander in Afghanistan calling conditions on the ground there "serious" have raised new questions about U.S. and NATO strategy against the Taliban. Experts speak with Gwen Ifill about the chances for victory in Afghanistan.

September 1, 2009
Security Contractors Under Scrutiny at U.S. Embassy in Kabul
A nonpartisan watchdog on Tuesday charged that language barriers, overwork, and lewd behavior by U.S. government contractors are undermining security at the American embassy in Kabul. Margaret Warner reports.

August 28, 2009
August Deadliest Month for U.S. Troops in Afghanistan
As August becomes the deadliest month for U.S. forces in Afghanistan, post-election tension continues to increase. A Washington Post reporter provides an update from Kabul.

August 24, 2009
Leaders Warn Afghan War 'Serious and Deteriorating'
With warnings that the situation in Afghanistan is "serious and deteriorating," military leaders say that more troops are needed to regain control.

August 24, 2009
U.S. Commanders Call for More Troops to Defeat Taliban in Afghanistan
As Taliban insurgents refine their tactics, U.S. and NATO commanders told U.S. envoy Richard Holbrooke that they require more troops to combat militants in Afghanistan.

August 21, 2009
Afghan War Takes Toll on Civilians
Independent Television News special correspondent Nima Elbagir reports from a hospital in Kandahar, in the south of Afghanistan, on the toll that war has taken on the nation's civilian population.

August 21, 2009
Karzai, Abdullah Both Claim Victory in Afghan Election
Both of Afghanistan's two top presidential contenders are claiming victory in Thursday's presidential election, despite calls by U.S. and international officials to wait for official election results.

August 21, 2009
Controversial Afghan Law Leaves Shiite Women's Rights in Question
Afghan President Hamid Karzai faces continued international and domestic pressure to further overhaul a controversial law affecting Shiite women that critics say he passed to secure votes from conservatives in this week's election.

August 20, 2009
Historic Election Tests Security, Progress in Afghanistan
Despite Taliban threats and scattered attacks throughout the country, Afghans headed to the polls Thursday in an election being viewed as a gauge of U.S. progress there. ITN correspondent Alex Thomson speaks with Ray Suarez from Kabul.

August 20, 2009
Polls Held Open as Millions of Afghans Vote
Millions of Afghans voted Thursday in their second-ever direct presidential vote, despite a series of attacks by the Taliban leading up to the election.

Slide Show: Afghans Choose a President

August 17, 2009
As Afghan Election Nears, a Race to Protect Voters
With Afghanistan's second presidential election just days away, U.S., NATO, and Afghan forces are racing to secure voting locations from Taliban militants who have vowed to target anyone participating in the Aug. 20 contest.

August 17, 2009
Profiles: Afghanistan's Presidential Candidates
Afghan President Hamid Karzai is hoping to win a second five-year term in Thursday's elections, while raucous rallies drew thousands of supporters for the main opposition candidates in the days leading up to the vote.

August 14, 2009
Inside View of Taliban Underscores Afghanistan's Complexity
As the conflict in Afghanistan heats up, how much is truly known about the Taliban and what are the prospects of negotiating with them? GlobalPost's Charles Sennott offers insight.

August 13, 2009
In Afghanistan, Fighting Escalates as Election Nears
Fierce fighting continues in Afghanistan in the final week leading up to the presidential election. Jeffrey Brown speaks with NPR's Renee Montagne.

August 10, 2009
Profiles of the Taliban
The question of how third-party talks are going between the active Taliban insurgency and representatives of the Afghan and U.S. governments depends on who you ask. Four former Taliban leaders give their perspectives on how the negotiations are progressing.

August 10, 2009
Afghanistan Commander Walks Back Comments on Taliban Successes
The top U.S. and NATO commander says the Taliban have advanced out of strongholds in Afghanistan's south and east, gaining the upper hand as they moved into the north and west, according to a Wall Street Journal interview published Monday.

July 31, 2009
July Was Deadliest Month for U.S. Forces in Afghanistan
Margaret Warner updates the U.S. war efforts in Iraq and Afghanistan then speaks with a Washington Post reporter about the latest military strategy.

July 28, 2009
Miliband Presses Political Strategy for Afghans, Insurgency
British Foreign Secretary David Miliband tells Gwen Ifill that the Afghan war requires more of a political solution to win, in addition to a military one.

July 15, 2009
Death Toll Mounts as Coalition Forces Confront Taliban
As coalition forces attempt to wrest control of southern Afghanistan from Taliban insurgents, they are experiencing their highest casualties in eight years of war. Analysts discuss the rise in violence with Gwen Ifill.

July 9, 2009
As Troops Continue Afghan Offensive, Focus Turns to Civilian Outreach
U.S. Marines pushed further into the Helmand province in southern Afghanistan this week, as word came of a truck bombing in a village south of Kabul that killed at least two dozen people. A Washington Post reporter gives an update on the military efforts and the bombing.

July 3, 2009
U.S. Expands Offensive in Southern Afghanistan
On the second day of a major U.S. offensive in Southern Afghanistan, journalist Nancy Youssef discusses how the Marine-led mission is proceeding.

July 3, 2009
U.S. Forces Enter Taliban Strongholds in Afghanistan
U.S. Marines moved into Taliban territory in southern Afghanistan on Friday to win over local leaders and populations, and so far have met little resistance from the Taliban, according to a military spokesman.

July 2, 2009
As U.S. Troops Mount Offensive in Afghanistan, New Strategy Is Tested
U.S. Marines marked the start of a new offensive in Afghanistan Thursday, as part of the Obama administration's efforts to stabilize the Afghan-Pakistan border region. A Washington Post reporter embedded in the Helmand province provides an update.

July 2, 2009
Marines Launch Offensive to Seize Afghan Valley
Thousands of U.S. Marines marked the start of a new offensive in Afghanistan Thursday, pouring from into Taliban-controlled villages in southern Afghanistan to clear insurgents from the area ahead of the nation's Aug. 20 presidential election.

June 24, 2009
On Afghan-Pakistan Border, a Daily Struggle to Survive
Independent Television News special correspondent Nima Elbagir reports on the struggles of daily life along the Afghanistan-Pakistan border.

June 22, 2009
After Reporters' Escape From Taliban, Media Weigh Ethical Questions
New York Times reporter David Rohde and an Afghan journalist escaped a Taliban compound after being held since November, surprising many who had not been aware of the kidnapping.

June 22, 2009
Author Examines Drug Trade, Afghan Insurgency
Author and former ABC news producer Gretchen Peters talks about her book about the drug trade in Afghanistan and Pakistan and how it is fueling the insurgency.

June 2, 2009
McChrystal Predicts Hard Road Ahead in Afghanistan
Army Lt. Gen. Stanley McChrystal, tapped to take command of U.S. and NATO troops in Afghanistan, faced questions on his leadership plans at a confirmation hearing before the Senate Armed Services Committee on Tuesday. Analysts take a look at his qualifications for the post.

May 25, 2009
Therapeutic Riding Program Aims to Help Soldiers Heal
A program at Northern Virginia's Fort Myer helps injured soldiers with their recovery by having them ride horses usually used in the formal funeral processions in Arlington National Cemetery. Kwame Holman reports.

May 21, 2009
U.S. Considers Ways to Prevent Civilian Deaths While Battling Afghan Insurgency
Ray Suarez and analysts discuss U.S. and NATO efforts to minimize collateral damage during airstrikes in Afghanistan.

May 12, 2009
New Army Leadership Faces Familiar Challenges in Afghanistan Efforts
Defense Secretary Robert Gates said he needed new thinking and new approaches when he shuffled the top military leadership in Afghanistan on Monday. Analysts examine how new leadership could impact the war and the future of the Army.

Video: Watch NewsHour Coverage of Military Strategy in Afghanistan

May 11, 2009
Military Shake-up in Afghanistan Signals New Strategy Push
Defense Secretary Robert Gates tapped Army Lt. Gen. Stanley McChrystal as the new top commander in Afghanistan, replacing Gen. David McKiernan. Time magazine's Pentagon reporter Mark Thompson examines the move.

May 6, 2009
White House Hones its Strategy in Two-Front War
On the day President Obama met with the leaders of Afghanistan and Pakistan at the White House to discuss military and diplomatic strategy in combating the Taliban, two analysts assesses the obstacles standing in the way of stability in the region.

May 6, 2009
President Obama Praises, Presses Allies' Efforts to Fight Militants
President Barack Obama said Wednesday that he got the commitments he wanted from the leaders of Pakistan and Afghanistan to more aggressively fight Taliban and al-Qaida militants who are gaining power and sowing violence inside their countries.

April 16, 2009
Backlash Continues Over Afghan Women's Law
Some 300 women gathered on the streets of Afghanistan's capital this week to protest a controversial new law that critics say legalizes marital rape and restricts a woman's right to work outside the home.

April 1, 2009
Establishing Clear Goals May Prove Key to New Afghan-Pakistan Strategy
Gen. David Petraeus testified before a Senate panel Wednesday about the Obama administration's new strategy for the Afghan-Pakistan region. Sens. Carl Levin and Susan Collins give their perspectives.

April 1, 2009
Questions Arise Over Chain of Command in Afghanistan
When it comes to the war in Afghanistan, there's a critical question that has drawn little public attention: Who's in charge? In this Reporter's Podcast, military experts outline the problems with coordinating 41 nations that all have troops in the country.

March 27, 2009
Obama Sets Plan to Boost Afghan Stability, Confront Taliban and Al-Qaida
President Obama's new strategy for the Afghanistan war includes 4,000 more troops and assistance to Pakistan in its fight against militants. Special envoy to the region, Richard Holbrooke, and Central Command chief Gen. David Petraeus explain the plan.

Video Collection: Holbrooke and Petraeus discuss the difference in President Obama's plan from the Bush administration, and the link between Pakistan's intelligence agency and militants, in these video excerpts.

March 27, 2009
More Troops, Civilian Trainers to Head to Afghanistan
President Barack Obama announced a new strategy for the Afghanistan war on Friday that would dispatch more military and civilian trainers to the country, in addition to the 17,000 more combat troops he already ordered.

March 20, 2009
Women Make Gains, But Still Struggle in Afghanistan
Much has improved for Afghan women and girls in the areas of education and community support since the removal of the Taliban regime in 2001, but incidents of violence and traditional practices such as forced marriages continue. Margaret Warner reports from Afghanistan.

Additional Outside Resources:
Women for Women International: Women of Afghanistan
Afghan Government: Social Protection Programs

March 19, 2009
Karzai: Additional U.S. Troops 'Seven Years Too Late'
In an interview with Margaret Warner, Afghan President Hamid Karzai welcomed additional U.S. troops, but said they were "seven years too late." He also endorsed reaching out to members of the Taliban who embraced the Afghan constitution.

March 18, 2009
Afghan Daily Life Offers New Opportunities, Old Problems
Nearly eight years after the ouster of the Taliban in Afghanistan, military operations and political shifts have changed the daily lives of the Afghan people in unexpected ways. Margaret Warner reports on day-to-day life, the drug trade and corruption in the country.

March 17, 2009
McKiernan Outlines Challenges to Military Mission in Afghanistan
U.S. and NATO commander Gen. David McKiernan speaks to Margaret Warner in Afghanistan about the status of military operations in the country and new efforts to shore up the region's security.

March 16, 2009
U.S. Military Works to Bring Stability to Remote Afghan Areas
U.S. soldiers are struggling to secure remote areas of Afghanistan, like the Korengal Valley in the east, that have recently seen increased outbreaks of violence and military leaders say are crucial to stability in the cities. Margaret Warner reports from Afghanistan.

Slide Show: Quelling Insurgency in Afghanistan

March 10, 2009
U.S. Signals Openness to Dialogue With Taliban Factions
The Taliban has been increasing its attacks in Afghanistan and besides sending more troops, some top U.S. officials have suggested trying to talk to factions among the militants. Margaret Warner reports from Afghanistan on reaction to the possible strategy.

March 10, 2009
Reporter's Notebook: Battlefield Circulation Around a Deadly Part of Afghanistan
In this reporter's notebook, Margaret Warner accompanied the military to outposts of U.S. and Afghan soldiers in one of the most active insurgent areas of Afghanistan.

March 6, 2009
Reporter's Notebook: 'Sodbusters' Lend Afghan Farmers a Hand
Margaret Warner is reporting in Afghanistan on political developments, counter-insurgency campaigns and nation-building efforts. In this reporter's notebook, she accompanies the Nebraska National Guard on an agricultural mission.

March 4, 2009
Suicide Bomber Targets Military Base in Afghanistan
Video: A car bomb exploded outside the main gate at U.S. Bagram Air Field, north of Kabul on Wednesday, highlighting the difficult security situation Afghanistan continues to face. The only fatality was the suicide bomber. Margaret Warner, who was at the base at the time of the explosion, provides a report.

March 4, 2009
Afghan Translator Finds Refuge, but Few Benefits in U.S.
Prospects of high salaries and an expedited migration to America continue to draw young Afghan men into the U.S. Army's translator corps, but some are finding the reality is not as rewarding as their dreams.

March 2, 2009
Karzai Raises Stakes in Dispute Over Afghan Election Date
Afghan President Hamid Karzai has called for moving presidential elections up from August to April in what some are viewing as a political maneuver to rein in his critics. Margaret Warner provides an update from Afghanistan on the political developments.

Video Collection: All of Margaret Warner's reports from Afghanistan

February 27, 2009
Obama Outlines Goals for Afghanistan, Iraq
After a major policy announcement that the U.S. combat mission in Iraq will end next year, President Obama spoke with Jim Lehrer about Iraq, Afghanistan and the challenges of his new office.

February 18, 2009
Renewed Focus on Afghan-Pakistan Region Includes Broad Policy Review
The Obama team is casting a renewed focus on the Afghan-Pakistan corridor, including a broad review of policy on the region. Special envoy to Afghanistan and Pakistan Richard Holbrooke outlines efforts to define U.S. goals for the region.

February 9, 2009
Munich Security Summit Focuses on Combating Afghan Insurgency
A security conference held in Munich, Germany, over the weekend focused on NATO efforts to help Afghanistan quell a Taliban resurgence and allow redevelopment to proceed. Tom Bearden reports, followed by analysts examining the options for better securing Afghanistan.

February 2, 2009
Suicide Bomber Kills 21 in Attack in Southern Afghanistan
A suicide bomber disguised as a police officer killed 21 Afghan police in a local station in southern Afghanistan Monday, according to government officials.

January 29, 2009
Afghanistan Delays Presidential Election Until August
Afghan officials said Thursday that the country's second-ever presidential election will be postponed three months until Aug. 20 to give them more time to prepare. The delay also would allow more time for additional U.S. troops to arrive.

December 25, 2008
Local Militias to Help Battle Growing Taliban Resistance in Afghanistan
U.S. and Afghan leaders are preparing to arm local militia groups to help curb rising Taliban violence in Afghanistan. The strategy comes from similar successful efforts in Iraq. Dexter Filkins of the New York Times reports on the development.

December 22, 2008
U.S. to Send Up to 30,000 More Troops to Afghanistan
Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Adm. Mike Mullen said over the weekend that the United States would send an additional 20,000 to 30,000 forces to Afghanistan by summer as violence in the country continued to rise.

December 15, 2008
Bush Wraps up War Zone Visits Marred by Shoe Incident
President Bush has wrapped up a final surprise visit to the war zones of Iraq and Afghanistan to tout recent gains in the region, but the contentious nature of his valedictory trip was highlighted by an Iraqi reporter's shoe-throwing outburst.

December 12, 2008
Soldiers Honored With Silver Stars Following Extraordinary Battle in Afghanistan
Ten Army Green Berets who subdued a large insurgent stronghold in the mountains of Afghanistan after a nearly seven-hour battle were honored Friday with Silver Stars. Ray Suarez reports on the extraordinary battle.

November 14, 2008
Questions Linger Over Engaging Taliban in Afghanistan
Members of Afghanistan's government recently met with former leaders of the Taliban and representatives of one militant leader, stirring questions over whether such talks could help improve the country's security situation -- and whether they should be taking place at all.

November 13, 2008
Suicide Blast Strikes U.S. Military Convoy in Afghanistan
A suicide car bomber attacked a U.S. military convoy as it passed through a crowded market in eastern Afghanistan Thursday killing a U.S. soldier and at least eight bystanders, U.S. military and Afghan officials said.

November 10, 2008
Military, VA Confront Rising Suicide Rates Among Troops
The Army says that suicides among active duty personnel have doubled in recent years, and multiple deployments might contribute to that increase. NewsHour correspondent Betty Ann Bowser reports.

October 29, 2008
Taliban Proves Resilient Foe in Afghanistan
Seven years into the war in Afghanistan, U.S. and allied troops are still battling Taliban insurgents, leading to talk of sending more troops to the country. New York Times correspondent John Burns, who just returned from the Afghanistan, provides an update.

October 20, 2008
Taliban Kill Christian Aid Worker in Afghanistan
Taliban gunmen killed a Christian aid worker walking to work Monday in Afghanistan's capital because she was spreading her religion, the militant group said.

October 16, 2008
U.S. Airstrikes in Afghanistan Raise Debate
U.S.-led airstrikes in Afghanistan against the Taliban have met their targets but also sometimes killed nearby civilians, prompting criticism and cries from the Afghan government and human rights advocacy groups for more accountability from the U.S. military and NATO.

October 14, 2008
Journalist Recounts His Experiences With Taliban in Afghanistan
When journalist Nir Rosen traveled to Afghanistan last summer, his plan was to travel with a group of Taliban fighters for 10 days and report on their activity. Instead, he was detained by a rival Taliban commander and accused of being a spy. He recounts his experiences in this report.

October 9, 2008
Gates Urges More Troop Action on Afghanistan's Drug Trade
U.S. Secretary of Defense Robert Gates said Thursday that NATO troops should do more to combat Afghanistan's drug trade. His comments came as new reports emerged raising doubts about American strategy and the Afghan government's ability to cope.

August 27, 2008
U.N. Says 90 Civilians Killed in Afghan Airstrike
The United Nations has found "convincing evidence" that 90 civilians were killed in a U.S. airstrike in western Afghanistan last week that prompted the Afghan government to demand more accountability from U.S. and NATO forces.

August 19, 2008
Coordinated Insurgent Attack Near Kabul Kills 10 French Soldiers
A group of French paratroopers was ambushed by a group of 100 Taliban-linked insurgents outside Kabul late Monday, killing 10 soldiers and wounding 21 others as a wave of attacks against foreign forces continues to rock Afghanistan.

August 18, 2008
Suicide Attack in Afghanistan Kills at Least 10
The Taliban took responsibility for an attack Monday in which a suicide bomber drove a car packed with explosives into the gate of the main U.S. military base in southeastern Afghanistan, killing 10 people and wounding 13.

August 11, 2008
Coalition Air Strikes in Afghanistan Stoke Tensions Over Civilian Death Toll
A U.S.-led air strike in Afghanistan killed 25 Taliban fighters on Sunday but also took the lives of eight bystanders held hostage by the militants, media reports said Monday, highlighting tensions over the civilian toll in the Afghan war.

July 17, 2008
Air Raid Kills 15 Insurgents in Afghanistan
Airstrikes coordinated by U.S. special forces and Afghan troops against militants in western Afghanistan killed 15 insurgents and freed 15 hostages Thursday, officials said.

July 14, 2008
In Afghanistan, Troop Deaths Highlight Instability
On Sunday, Taliban militants waged the deadliest assault on U.S. and NATO troops in three years, highlighting the challenge of the ongoing armed conflict. A New York Times Magazine reporter and a counterinsurgency expert measure the complexity of the conflict.

July 11, 2008
Afghan Legal Reforms Run Afoul of Tribal Codes, Corruption
Afghanistan's central government has worked to improve its legal system for years, but tribal justice traditions, especially in rural areas, and corruption from within are proving to be significant hurdles.

July 7, 2008
41 Killed in Indian Embassy Blast in Afghan Capital
A suicide bomber ignited a car bomb Monday outside India's embassy in Afghanistan, killing 41 and injuring 139. The casualties included an Indian defense attache, a diplomat as well as two embassy guards and six Afghan police officers.

July 4, 2008
U.S. Attack Kills 22 Civilians, Local Officials Claim
A U.S.-led airstrike killed 22 civilians in Afghanistan's eastern Nuristan province local officials said on Friday. American officials said the targets had been insurgents attacking their soldiers.

July 2, 2008
Antiquities Exhibit Illuminates Ancient Afghan Trading
A museum exhibit of ancient Afghan art demonstrates the country's rich and diverse culture. Jeffrey Brown visits the relics that have survived the tumult of recent history in Afghanistan.

June 27, 2008
Resurgent Taliban May Step Up Afghan Attacks, Pentagon Says
A report released by the Pentagon Friday showed growing instability in Afghanistan and a continuing rise in Taliban forces. A reporter and a regional expert size up new security threats and discuss the new report.

Defense Department documents:
Report on Progress Toward Security and Stability in Afghanistan (PDF)
United States Plan for Sustaining the Afghanistan National Security Forces (PDF)

June 18, 2008
NATO, Afghan Troops Clash With Taliban Fighters
Afghan and NATO forces, backed by helicopter gunships, moved into villages outside Kandahar on Wednesday, killing at least 36 suspected Taliban fighters as part of an assault on insurgents holed up in the valley in southern Afghanistan.

June 12, 2008
Donors Pledge $15 Billion for Afghan Rebuilding
The international community pledged more than $15 billion in aid to Afghanistan at a donors' conference in Paris Thursday, while Afghan President Hamid Karzai promised to fight corruption that has hindered past aid efforts.

June 9, 2008
Attacks in Pakistan, Afghanistan Highlight Instability
The newly elected government in Pakistan is being confronted with a rise in insurgent attacks and a Taliban that is increasing in strength along the volatile Afghan border. Two experts discuss the latest outbreaks of violence.

April 30, 2008
Afghan Forces Target Taliban in Kabul in Latest Bout of Unrest
Afghan security forces engaged in a firefight with Taliban fighters in the capital city of Kabul Wednesday, blowing up a home and reportedly killing two militants and a woman and child inside. Two analysts assess the security situation in Afghanistan.

April 28, 2008
Afghan President Escapes Assassination Attempt
Afghan security officials on Monday hunted for suspects in the attempted assassination of President Hamid Karzai during an attack that killed three people.

April 1, 2008
Reporter Profiles Army Unit in Remote Afghan Outpost
In the fall of 2007, New York Times Magazine contributing writer Elizabeth Rubin and photographer Lynsey Addario shadowed U.S. forces in the Korengal Valley in northeastern Afghanistan, an area along the Pakistani border known for its insurgency. Jeffrey Brown talks to Rubin about her experiences and the tough decisions commanders have to make every day in war zones.

Slide Show: View a selection of Addario's photographs from Afghanistan. Warning: Some photos contain graphic imagery.

Read Elizabeth Rubin's answers to your questions in this Insider Forum. And see her full article in the New York Times Magazine.

February 18, 2008
Two Days of Attacks Leave Over 100 Dead in Afghanistan
A suicide car bomber plowed into a Canadian military convoy, killing 37 people at a busy market in southern Afghanistan on Monday, a day after a bomber blew himself up at a dog fight outside Kandahar, leaving more than 100 people dead.

February 7, 2008
Afghan War Troop Levels Strain NATO Alliance
NATO is struggling to remain unified over the war in Afghanistan after the United States raised concerns that some members of the Western alliance were not willing to let their troops "fight and die" to defeat the Taliban.

January 31, 2008
Afghan Politician, 8 Others Die in Suicide Attacks
Two suicide bombers killed themselves and seven others in separate attacks Thursday in Afghanistan. Among the dead was the deputy governor of the southern Helmand province, who was attending afternoon prayers at a mosque.

January 28, 2008
Canada Threatens Troop Pullout from Afghanistan
Canada will pull its 2,500 troops out of Afghanistan in early 2009 unless NATO adds soldiers in the dangerous southern region, Prime Minister Stephen Harper said Monday, signaling Ottawa has lost patience with what it sees as allies' foot-dragging.

January 14, 2008
Bold Suicide Attack on Kabul Hotel Kills 6
Four heavily armed militants attacked a hotel popular with foreigners in Kabul, Afghanistan, on Monday, killing at least six people in a brazen Taliban-backed attack apparently targeted at Western workers, witnesses and a Taliban spokesman said.

January 10, 2008
U.S. Considers Adding 3,000 Marines to Fight in Afghanistan
The Pentagon is preparing to send at least 3,000 Marines to Afghanistan to bolster efforts to thwart another expected Taliban offensive in the spring, military officials said.

December 10, 2007
NATO, Afghan Troops Face Entrenched Taliban Forces
Army Gen. Dan McNeill, commander of NATO forces in Afghanistan, discusses efforts to combat Taliban fighters. Two guests -- journalist Ahmed Rashid and Norine MacDonald, president of the think tank Senlis Council -- follow up with their take on the security situation.

August 29, 2007
Hostage Release Highlights Negotiations with Taliban
The Taliban released 12 South Korean hostages in Afghanistan on Wednesday, and another seven may be freed Thursday. A political scientist and a former CIA official discuss the challenges of negotiating with the Taliban.

August 6, 2007
President Bush Confers with Karzai on Taliban Resurgence
President Bush and Afghan President Hamid Karzai met Monday to discuss the resurgence of the Taliban and how to deal with growing violence in Afghanistan.

July 26, 2007
Kidnappings Reflect Continuing Rise of Taliban
A South Korean envoy headed to Afghanistan Wednesday, hoping to win the release of 22 South Korean hostages taken by the Taliban last week. One hostage was killed Tuesday. Experts talk about the status of the fighters.

July 5, 2007
Women's Combat Roles Evolving in Iraq, Afghanistan
Although U.S. military policy prevents women from taking certain war zone assignments, they are increasingly filling dangerous jobs in Iraq and Afghanistan. An author, Army sergeant and retired Navy captain discuss the changing role of women in combat.

June 18, 2007
At Least 100 Killed in Afghanistan Violence; 7 Children Dead in U.S.-led Airstrike
Fighting in southern Afghanistan has resulted in at least 100 deaths in the past three days, Afghan officials said Monday, just hours after coalition forces reported seven children were killed Sunday in a coalition airstrike aimed at al-Qaida members.

May 31, 2007
Drug Conflict Complicates Efforts to Stabilize Afghanistan
Seven NATO soldiers died Wednesday in a helicopter crash in southern Afghanistan, the region where Taliban insurgents and NATO forces have clashed repeatedly in recent months. Experts discuss the violence there and the Taliban's connection to the lucrative poppy growing industry in the country.

May 14, 2007
Senior Taliban Commander Killed in Afghanistan
The Afghan government and NATO have confirmed that Taliban commander Mullah Dadullah was killed during a U.S.-led operation in southern Afghanistan Saturday night. Dadullah was the Taliban's chief military planner and the most senior leader killed since the Taliban regime was overthrown in 2001.

May 2, 2007
Karzai Denounces Reported Civilian Deaths from U.S., NATO Raids
Afghan President Hamid Karzai declared Wednesday that his government could not tolerate the continuing civilian deaths caused by international military operations, even as thousands protested his government and the U.S. presence.

April 20, 2007
Military Forces in Afghanistan Combat Resurgent Taliban
NATO and Afghan forces are launching operations aimed at pre-empting a springtime offensive by Taliban militants. Alex Thomson of Independent Television News reports on their efforts.

April 12, 2007
Democrats Criticize Military Tour Extensions
Following an announcement from the Pentagon that tours of duty in Iraq and Afghanistan will be extended from 12 months to 15 months, Democratic lawmakers again criticized President Bush's war policy.

February 27, 2007
Bombing at U.S. Base in Afghanistan Kills at Least 23
A suicide bomber struck the main entrance to a U.S. military base in Bagram, Afghanistan, Tuesday during a visit by Vice President Dick Cheney, killing at least 23 people. The Taliban claimed responsibility for the bombing and said Cheney was the target, although the claim could not be verified.

February 15, 2007
President Bush Presses NATO for More Troops in Afghanistan
President George Bush called on NATO nations Thursday to send more soldiers to Afghanistan and loosen restrictions on the use of troops already in the country. During a speech at the American Enterprise Institute, Mr. Bush emphasized the need for continued efforts in Afghanistan against resurgent Taliban and al-Qaida militants, citing 2006 as the most violent year in the country since the U.S. invasion.

January 17, 2007
Former NATO Commander Cites Progress in Afghanistan
Marine Corps Gen. James Jones, the former commandant of the Marine Corps and until recently the top commander of NATO, discusses the possibility of increasing NATO troops in Afghanistan where 24,000 U.S. soldiers are now serving, 11,000 of these under NATO command.

December 5, 2006
Fierce Fighting Threatens Afghanistan Mission
British troops, which make up the bulk of NATO forces, were forced to retreat in a fierce battle Tuesday against the Taliban in southern Afghanistan. Barnett Rubin of New York University and Ali Jalali of the National Defense University discuss the state of Afghanistan.

November 20, 2006
Illicit Drug Trade Fuels Afghan Economy
Alex Thomson of Independent Television News follows the opium trail in Afghanistan from the poppy fields in the south to the smugglers' routes across the border into Iran.

November 17, 2006
Drug Trade, Resurgent Taliban Fuel Attacks in Afghanistan
Funded largely by a flourishing drug trade, Taliban fighters have stepped up their attacks on Afghan and international forces, killing more than 300 people a month on average in Afghanistan.

November 16, 2006
NATO Forces Face Taliban Fighters in Southern Afghanistan
Five years after coalition forces ousted the Taliban government in Afghanistan, NATO forces are battling a growing resurgence of Taliban fighters, particularly in the southern province of Helmand. Kylie Morris of Independent Television News provides a report.

October 26, 2006
Afghan Civilians Killed During NATO Raid
Upwards of 60 civilians were killed during a NATO-led bombing campaign against Taliban insurgents in southern Afghanistan on Tuesday, according to local officials there. NATO, however, contended that a preliminary review showed 12 civilian deaths.

October 20, 2006
Remote U.S. Military Base in Kyrgyzstan Feels Impact of Fighting in Afghanistan
Residents of a Kyrgyzstan military base that serves as a stopover point en route to the war in Afghanistan live in a nether region where the fighting can feel very distant, and yet the deceased bodies of American soldiers continue to come through. The report comes from the News 21 Project, a collaboration of journalism graduate programs.

October 10, 2006
Five Years After the Invasion, Life in Afghanistan is More Complicated
Washington Post correspondent Pamela Constable, who has covered Afghanistan for more than a decade, offers her insight into the growing tension.

October 3, 2006
Taliban Resurgence Marks Five Years Since U.S.-led Invasion
In a special report, PBS's Frontline looks at one of the major obstacles facing the government of President Hamid Karzai, the resurgence of the Taliban along the Afghanistan-Pakistan border.

September 8, 2006
Taliban, Security Forces Clash in Afghanistan
Fighting between Taliban and NATO forces has been increasing in parts of Afghanistan. A reporter talks about how the country has changed in the five years since the Taliban were removed from power.

September 5, 2006
NATO Troops Kill, Surround Dozens of Militants in Afghanistan
NATO forces killed between 50 and 60 Taliban militants in Afghanistan on Tuesday as a part of a new military offensive, and surrounded 700 others in the southern part of the country.

August 3, 2006
Daily Attacks Mar NATO Takeover of Southern Afghanistan
Attacks against NATO forces in southern Afghanistan killed 21 civilians and four Canadian troops Thursday.

July 29, 20
NATO Faces Difficult Task of Securing Afghanistan
As the North Atlantic Treaty Organization officially expands its mission Monday to the restive southern region of Afghanistan, the alliance must try to stabilize an area in the midst of an insurgency orchestrated by the Taliban fighters.

July 18, 2006
U.S., Afghan Forces Aim to Reclaim Areas Controlled by Taliban
U.S. and Afghan officials said Tuesday that they will launch "decisive operations" to oust Taliban forces from strongholds set up in several towns in southern Afghanistan.

May 22, 2006
Coalition Air Strike Kills 80 Taliban Rebels in Afghanistan
A U.S.-led coalition air strike killed up to 80 Taliban rebels and 16 civilians in the Kandahar province of southern Afghanistan, U.S. military and Afghan officials said Monday.

May 19, 2006
Top Militants Captured as Violence Soars in Afghanistan
Afghan officials reported Friday that three top militant fighters were captured during one of the deadliest weeks in Afghanistan that saw more than 100 people killed.

March 29, 2006
Christian Convert Flees Afghanistan, Arrives in Italy
Abdul Rahman, the Afghan man who had faced the death penalty for converting to Christianity from Islam, arrived in Italy Wednesday after the cancellation of his trial, which had gained worldwide notice.

March 23, 2006
Man Sentenced to Death for Religious Conversion
A 41-year-old Afghan, Abdul Rahman, was born a Muslim but was sentenced to death for converting to Christianity. Jeffrey Brown discusses the religious trial with Washington Post reporter Pamela Constable.

March 16, 2006
Taliban Leader Promises More Attacks
Mullah Omar, the leader of the ousted Taliban regime in Afghanistan, released a statement Thursday promising renewed attacks on coalition troops this summer.

March 1, 2006
Violence, Drug Trade Plague Rebuilding Efforts in Afghanistan
President Bush's surprise trip to Afghanistan cast further light on a country that even the U.S. State Department said is struggling with a huge drug trade and violent Taliban-fueled insurgency.

January 16, 2006
Bombings in South Kill Dozens as Karzai Warns of New Attacks
Remnants of the Taliban continued to launch attacks Monday, claiming responsibility for two attacks in the southern part of Afghanistan that killed at least 26 people and wounded nearly 50 others.

January 4, 2006
Afghan Fighting Takes Slow, But Growing Toll on American Forces
Jeffrey Brown reports on the soldiers who have died in the more than three years of fighting against al-Qaida and Taliban fighters in Afghanistan.

November 17, 2005
Deadly Attacks in Afghanistan on the Rise
Violence in Afghanistan has increased with at least 16 suicide attacks this year, more than double the number carried out in 2004. Two experts discuss the situation in Afghanistan and the deadly tactics used by insurgents.

September 19, 2005
Parliamentary Elections Proceed with Few Disruptions
In spite of threats of violence, millions of voters went to the polls across Afghanistan on Sunday, choosing representatives to fill national and provincial legislatures.

September 15, 2005
Parliamentary Elections Mark Critical Step for Afghan Government
Afghans are holding long-awaited parliamentary elections, but some experts worry the lack of viable parties and a continuing insurgency may hamper attempts to build an effective government.

September 14, 2005
Insurgents Launch Assaults Aimed at Derailing Elections
As Afghanistan's 11.7 million voters and nearly 6,000 candidates prepare for upcoming landmark parliamentary elections, insurgents have launched an intensified wave of attacks.

September 2, 2005
Challenges Plague Afghanistan's Efforts to Combat Opium Trade
In the six months since Afghan President Hamid Karzai declared a jihad against his country's poppy industry, the success of eradication efforts has been tempered by political and economic challenges.

June 30, 2005
Downing of U.S. Helicopter Highlights Continued Battle in Afghanistan
The apparent shoot-down of an American helicopter is the latest setback in the ongoing effort to defeat Taliban and al-Qaida fighters in the South Asian nation. Two experts assess the battle to stabilize Afghanistan.

June 29, 2005
Helicopter Hit by Gunfire Before Crashing in Afghanistan
The U.S. military has confirmed that enemy fire hit a Chinook helicopter in Afghanistan before it crashed June 28 during a clash with insurgents.

May 23, 2005
President Bush Pledges to Keep U.S. Troops in Afghanistan Under American Command
A dispute over Afghan influence over American forces and reported maltreatment of prisoners by U.S. interrogators weighed on Monday's meeting between President Bush and Afghanistan's Hamid Karzai.

May 16, 2005
Newsweek Retracts Flawed Quran Report
Newsweek magazine on Monday retracted its report about an alleged desecration of the Quran by U.S. interrogators at the jail in Guantanamo Bay that sparked deadly riots in Afghanistan and other nations.

May 13, 2005
Afghans Protest Against U.S. Presence
Anti-American protests in Afghanistan continued for the fourth day as nine people were killed in clashes. The riots were sparked by a report U.S. interrogators in Guantanamo Bay had defiled the Quran.

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