war in Afghanistan

McMaster: U.S. has ‘partnered with the Taliban against the Afghan government’

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 --…

An exclusive interview with family of American contractor held hostage in Afghanistan

Relatives of Mark Frerichs, an American being held hostage in Afghanistan, are urging the Trump administration to pause negotiations over ending the nearly two-decade-long conflict with the Taliban until Frerichs is released.

By Amna Nawaz, Ali Rogin

As U.S., Taliban prepare to sign deal, Afghanistan nurtures hope for peace

On Saturday, the U.S. and the Taliban will sign a provisional peace deal after nearly 20 years of war in Afghanistan. The milestone agreement comes after a largely successful reduction in violence over the past week. But even as hope…

By Nick Schifrin

What short-term deal between U.S., Taliban means for chances of Afghan peace

A week-long “reduction in violence” between the U.S. and the Taliban represents a potential breakthrough for peace in Afghanistan. If it holds, the two sides will sign the first phase of a peace agreement that could pave the way to…

Will short-term deal between U.S., Taliban pave the way for Afghan peace?

The U.S. has reached a short-term agreement with the Taliban that could pave the way for ending the war in Afghanistan that has endured for nearly 20 years. Under the plan, U.S. forces and the Taliban agree to a temporary…

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The inside story of America’s longest war

By Dan Sagalyn

Many books have covered the war in South Asia, but Steve Coll’s “Directorate S: The CIA and America’s Secret Wars in Afghanistan and Pakistan, 2001–2016” reveals new information about military mistakes, missed diplomatic opportunities, failed negotiations with the Taliban and…

U.S. intensifies focus on Taliban, shifts air power to Afghanistan

By Robert Burns, Associated Press

Air Force Maj. Gen. James Hecker told reporters at the Pentagon today that the U.S. Central Command officially designated Afghanistan as its "main effort," now that the campaign against the Islamic State group in Iraq and Syria is winding down…

Pentagon says war in Afghanistan costs taxpayers $45 billion per year

By Matthew Pennington, Associated Press

Lawmakers, skeptical about the prospects of victory, grilled the Trump administration Tuesday on the direction of the nation's longest-running war, now in its 17th year.