Afghanistan
Al Qaeda militants killed in drone strike in Pakistan
ISLAMABAD - A drone strike in Pakistan this week killed three al Qaeda operatives who ran a training camp in neighboring Afghanistan to prepare militants for attacks including this week's jail break in Pakistan, a Taliban commander said on Wednesday.
Afghan civilian deaths increase; more women, child victims: U.N.
KABUL - Violence against civilians has risen by almost a quarter in Afghanistan as international forces hand security to Afghans, the United Nations said in a report on Wednesday, with insurgents striking in areas where troops have already left.
Afghan forces will need help after NATO mission ends: Pentagon
WASHINGTON - Afghan forces will require significant support from the U.S. military and its allies after the NATO combat mission ends next year, according to a new Pentagon report implicitly warning against a "zero option" of total withdrawal.
NATO commander hopes for post-2014 Afghan plan by late this year
MONS, Belgium - NATO hopes to deliver a detailed operations plan for its smaller post-2014 mission in Afghanistan, including numbers of soldiers involved, by late this year, NATO's new top military commander said on Tuesday.
U.S. to investigate Afghan's accusations troops murdered civilians
KABUL - The U.S. Army has launched an investigation into claims that its special forces abducted and killed Afghan civilians, allegations Washington has denied, a NATO spokeswoman said on Tuesday.
U.S. Army won't bar contractors linked to Afghan insurgents: watchdog
WASHINGTON - The U.S. Army has refused to bar 43 individuals or companies from getting U.S. contracts in Afghanistan despite information that they support the Taliban or other enemies of U.S. forces, a government watchdog said on Tuesday.
Afghan women's rights at risk in peace process: U.N. watchdog
GENEVA - Women's rights in Afghanistan risk being further undermined in the fragile country's peace process due to entrenched patriarchal attitudes, a United Nations watchdog warned on Monday.
Afghan eyes Iran deal to boost trade to Europe, India
KABUL - Afghanistan hopes an agreement with Iran to use one of its ports will help boost exports to Europe and India and reduce its dependence on neighboring Pakistan's ports for trade.
Business booms for asylum middlemen in Afghan exodus
KABUL - In a brightly lit travel agency in a gloomy Kabul mall, business is booming for Naser Gulzad. But all he can think about is shutting up shop and following his customers out of Afghanistan.
Death toll in twin suicide bombing in Pakistan rises to 52
PESHAWAR, Pakistan - The death toll from a pair of coordinated suicide bombs targeting Shi'ites in a volatile Pakistani town near the Afghan border rose to 52 overnight, officials said on Saturday, in one of the worst sectarian attacks in the country in months.
- Winning the battle, losing the war; the US and Pakistan
- Sidestepping cursed number “39″ at the Afghan jirga
- Shooting from the hip : Pakistan and the U.S. election season
- Capturing the Punjabi imagination: drones and “the noble savage”
- India-Afghan strategic pact:the beginnings of regional integration

