Aug 14 Taliban capture major northern city, approach Afghan capital By Associated Press The fall of Mazar-e-Sharif, the country's fourth largest city, which Afghan forces and two powerful former warlords had pledged to defend, hands the insurgents control over all of northern Afghanistan, confining the Western-backed government to the center and east. Continue reading
Aug 13 Watch 8:23 'It's an abandonment.' Afghanistan's ambassador on her nation's view of the U.S. withdrawal The Afghan government is prioritizing protecting its largest cities, like Kabul, against the Taliban’s advance to protect its most dense populations and civil services, says Afghanistan's ambassador to the U.S. Adela Raz. The U.S. withdrawal? “It’s an abandonment,” she says. Continue watching
Aug 13 Watch 8:46 What should the U.S. role in Afghanistan be now? How did the failure in Afghanistan come about and who is to blame? Multiple administrations and both parties own the blame for the state of the nation, says Col. Andrew Bacevich (ret.) of the Quincy Institute. We now have a… Continue watching
Aug 13 Afghan women fear return to 'dark days' amid Taliban sweep By Zeina Karam, Ahmad Seir, Associated Press The Taliban's lightning advance across Afghanistan has stirred fears they will reimpose their fundamentalist interpretation of Islam and all but eliminate women's rights. Continue reading
Aug 13 WATCH: U.S. rushes in troops to speed up evacuations in Afghanistan By Robert Burns, Matthew Lee, Ellen Knickmeyer, Associated Press Three thousand fresh U.S. troops were rushing to Kabul to speed evacuation flights for some American diplomats and thousands of Afghans, as the Taliban pressed a lightning offensive that has captured much of the country. Continue reading
Aug 13 Taliban sweep across Afghanistan's south, take 4 more cities By Tameem Akhgar, Rahim Faiez, Joseph Krauss, Associated Press The Taliban completed their sweep of the country's south on Friday as they took four more provincial capitals in a lightning offensive that is gradually encircling Kabul, just weeks before the U.S. is set to officially end its two-decade war. Continue reading
Aug 12 Watch 6:13 'Shock' and anger across Afghanistan as Taliban blitz through cities People in Afghanistan are in disbelief and angry at their local leaders as the Taliban advances across the nation, reports special correspondent Jane Ferguson. Fergson spoke with William Brangham about how quickly security forces in the region collapsed after the… Continue watching
Aug 12 Watch 8:26 'Why did the U.S. lose in Afghanistan?' A new book explores decades of mistakes The U.S. may have done more harm than good in Afghanistan, argues Carter Malkasian in his new book, “The American War in Afghanistan.” Despite efforts to build education, health care and infrastructure, the U.S. presence fomented conflict, Malkasian says. Nick… Continue watching
Aug 12 UK to send 600 troops to Kabul to help nationals leave By Associated Press In a statement, the defense ministry said the troops will provide protection and logistical support for the relocation of British nationals where required. Around 4,000 British nationals are believed to be in Afghanistan. Continue reading
Aug 12 Taliban take another Afghan provincial capital, Kandahar By Tameen Akhgar. Associated Press and Rahim Faiez, Jon Gambrell, Associated Press Afghan officials say the Taliban have taken another provincial capital, the southern city of Kandahar in the province with the same name. Continue reading