Nov 18 Acting defense secretary cites risks during troop reductions By Robert Burns, Associated Press The acting defense secretary says the period of U.S. troop withdrawals from Afghanistan and Iraq in the coming weeks is "fraught with risk."… Continue reading
Nov 17 Watch 4:39 News Wrap: U.S. COVID cases rise 80 percent in 2 weeks In our news wrap Tuesday, U.S. coronavirus infections have hit another record, with 166,000 new cases reported in the last 24 hours. That represents an 80 percent increase in just two weeks, prompting more states to take action. Also, Georgia’s… Continue watching
Nov 17 Pentagon to cut troop levels to 2,500 in Iraq, Afghanistan By Robert Burns, Lolita C. Baldor, Associated Press The new plan will accelerate troop withdrawals from Iraq and Afghanistan in Trump's final days in office, despite arguments from senior military officials in favor of a more methodical pullout. Continue reading
Nov 17 NATO chief warns of high price if troops leave Afghanistan By Lorne Cook, Associated Press NATO could pay a heavy price for leaving Afghanistan too early, its chief warned Tuesday after a U.S. official said President Donald Trump is expected to withdraw a significant number of American troops from the conflict-ravaged country in the coming… Continue reading
Nov 16 Watch 3:41 News Wrap: Fighting in Ethiopia escalates again In our news wrap Monday, fighting in Ethiopia has escalated. The capital of the Tigray region was reportedly bombed after firing rockets into neighboring Eritrea -- an ally of Ethiopia. Some 25,000 refugees have fled to Sudan. Also, Hurricane Iota… Continue watching
Nov 03 Afghans mourn victims of horrific university attack by Islamic State By Tameem Akhgar, Kathy Gannon, Associated Press Outside Kabul University, a small group of demonstrators gathered on Tuesday, demanding a cease-fire and urging the government to withdraw from the negotiations with the Taliban until a permanent end to hostilities is declared. Some held signs reading “why are… Continue reading
Nov 02 Watch 3:42 News Wrap: ISIS attackers kill at least 22 at Kabul University In our news wrap Monday, Islamic State attackers stormed Kabul University, touching off a gun battle that killed at least 22 people. Security officials said three gunmen struck during a book fair; all of them were killed after the hours-long… Continue watching
Oct 24 Big suicide bombing in Kabul kills 18 at education center By Tameem Akhgar, Associated Press The explosion struck outside an education center in a heavily Shiite neighborhood of western Kabul, Dasht-e-Barchi. Interior Ministry spokesman Tariq Arian says that the attacker was trying to enter the center when he was stopped by security guards. Continue reading
Oct 21 Stampede kills 11 Afghans seeking visas to leave country By Tameem Akhgar, Associated Press Afghan officials say at least 11 women were trampled to death when a stampede broke out among thousands of Afghans waiting in a soccer stadium to get visas to leave the country. Continue reading
Oct 08 Watch 5:04 DOD surprised by Trump's intent to accelerate U.S. troop withdrawal from Afghanistan In Afghanistan, the Taliban have welcomed an announcement by President Trump that all U.S. troops should leave the country by the end of the year. But there are questions about how that declaration was received by the U.S. military --… Continue watching