North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO)

At Least 13 Dead, Including Americans, After Attack In Kabul

Mark Memmott — Thu, 16 May 2013 11:27:00 +0000

Early casualty reports indicate that a powerful suicide car bombing Thursday in Kabul killed at least seven Afghan civilians, four foreign civilian contractors who were working for international forces and two members of the international military force.

Dozens more people were reportedly injured by the blast in Afghanistan's capital city.

Officially, the NATO-led Afghanistan International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) is only saying at this time that two of its service members and

Taliban Says It Will Begin Spring Offensive Sunday

Sean Carberry — Sat, 27 Apr 2013 12:47:00 +0000

The Taliban will launch their annual spring offensive on Sun., April 28, the group said Saturday.

In a press release, the Taliban said that the offensive will target "America, NATO and their backers for the gratification of Allah Almighty, independence of Afghanistan and establishing in it an Islamic government while we humbly raise our hands towards Allah Almighty for its success and hope for a favorable and triumphant end."

The militant group says it will use "every possible tactic" to inflict casualties on foreigners in Afghanistan.

With Withdrawal Looming, U.S. Troops Shift Their Aim

Sean Carberry — Mon, 11 Mar 2013 15:36:00 +0000

The NATO campaign is now in a new phase. After years of fighting the Taliban and bolstering anemic local governance, NATO troops are handing those responsibilities over to the Afghans. NPR's Sean Carberry recently embedded with U.S. troops in the southern province of Kandahar as they worked on this new mission.

The fertile Arghandab Valley in Kandahar province is considered one of Afghanistan's breadbaskets. For years it was also a valley of death for NATO troops.

Security in the region has improved dramatically since the U.S.

Gen. John Allen, Recent Top Commander In Afghanistan, Is Retiring

Mark Memmott — Tue, 19 Feb 2013 18:13:00 +0000

Marine Corps Gen. John Allen, who led U.S. and NATO forces in Afghanistan until earlier this month and had been on track to be the top NATO commander in Europe, is retiring from the military.

The White House early Tuesday afternoon released a statement from President Obama that says, in part:

"Today, I met with Gen. John Allen and accepted his request to retire from the military so that he can address health issues within his family. I told Gen.

U.S., Afghanistan At Odds Over Weapons Wish List

Sean Carberry — Wed, 06 Feb 2013 17:52:00 +0000

The U.S. and the international community have pledged $16 billion to support Afghan security forces after NATO troops complete their drawdown at the end of 2014. That money covers the cost of troops and equipment.

But just what equipment will be provided? Afghan military officials want big-ticket planes, tanks and other conventional weapons.

The U.S., however, says the Afghans need to get their strategic priorities in order, and focus less on prestige hardware and more on weaponry and equipment suitable for counterinsurgency warfare.

The opinion of Afghan Col.