Jul 21 U.S. still debating ‘big ideas’ on Afghan plan, says Mattis By Robert Burns, Associated Press Defense Secretary Jim Mattis says the Trump administration is still trying to get right what he calls "the big ideas" for a new Afghanistan war strategy. Mattis was asked what is holding up the administration's strategy review at an impromptu… Continue reading
May 28 Watch 4:58 Trump considering sending more troops to Afghanistan By PBS News Hour The U.S. invasion of Afghanistan after September 11 attacks has turned into the longest war in American history, having killed more than 170,000 people. Now, the Taliban has regained control of 40 percent of the country and the Trump administration… Continue watching
Dec 09 Defense secretary assures Afghan leaders of U.S. commitment By Robert Burns, Associated Press In a joint appearance In Kabul with Afghanistan's president, Ashraf Ghani, Defense Secretary Ash Carter said the U.S. cannot afford to give up on Afghanistan after more than 15 years of U.S. involvement, the deaths of more than 2,200 U.S. Continue reading
Nov 11 Sister’s worry over another deployment inspires this Veterans Day poem By Mary Jo Brooks Gretchen Marquette has written several poems about the complicated feelings she has about her brother fighting in the Iraq and Afghanistan wars. Continue reading
Sep 19 A Defense Department dictionary helped this poet write in the language of war By Mary Jo Brooks Solmaz Sharif says she has always been obsessed with state-sponsored language. But it wasn’t until 10 years ago when she stumbled onto a Defense Department dictionary that she began to write what would become an entire book of poetry using… Continue reading
Sep 12 Watch 7:36 In restoring a century-old palace, a step toward rebuilding Afghanistan’s independence By PBS News Hour Nearly 100 years ago, Darulaman Palace rose as a symbol of modern, progressive, independent Afghanistan. The building has since deteriorated, and Afghanistan itself, shaken by war, is struggling to be self-sufficient. But the palace is being rebuilt, using all Afghan… Continue watching
May 25 Photos: Afghan soldiers bear brunt of attacks as war winds down By Larisa Epatko The withdrawal of U.S. troops from Afghanistan originally scheduled for 2014 was extended through the end of this year. It’s one of the realities of the long-standing war and part of the effort to preserve hard-fought gains. Continue reading
May 24 Navy veteran skydives with soldiers in support of the military’s burn victims By Carey Reed Ryan "Birdman" Parrott, a 32-year-old Navy veteran, has skydived with soldiers from every U.S. war since World War II to raise awareness for his foundation Sons of the Flag, which benefits the military's burn victims. On Monday, he'll be leading… Continue reading
May 12 Watch 7:41 For relocated Afghan translators, U.S. life offers new struggles By PBS News Hour Afghan interpreters who spent more than a year working for U.S. forces were allowed to apply for U.S. visas, but many endured years of bureaucratic limbo and personal risk before being able to leave. As difficult as that process was,… Continue watching
Dec 06 U.S. to keep more troops than planned in Afghanistan By Robert Burns, Associated Press U.S. Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel said Saturday the United States will keep as many as 1,000 more troops in Afghanistan than planned for the first part of 2015. Continue reading