RFE/RL

McCain Blocks Trump Defense Nominees To Get Afghan War Information

U.S. Senate Armed Services Committee Chairman John McCain said on October 17 that he'll hold up President Donald Trump's nominees for Defense Department posts until the Pentagon provides more information on its new Afghan war strategy.

After Pleading Guilty To Desertion In Afghanistan, U.S. Soldier Seeks Case Dismissal

One day after pleading guilty to deserting his post in Afghanistan, U.S. Army Sergeant Bowe Bergdahl has sought dismissal of the charges against him on grounds that the case was tainted by President Donald Trump's calling him a "traitor."

Senior Taliban Commanders Reported Killed In Suspected U.S. Drone Strikes

A second round of missile strikes by suspected U.S. drones on October 17 killed at least 11 more Taliban, including senior commanders, a day after strikes killed 20 militants in the southeastern border region between Pakistan and Afghanistan, officials said.

HRW Gives Kabul, Donors Failing Grade On Afghan Girls' Education

Efforts by Kabul and international donors to educate girls in Afghanistan have “significantly faltered in recent years,” according to Human Rights Watch (HRW).

Four Nations Meet In Oman To Try To Restart Afghan Peace Talks

Negotiators from Afghanistan, China, Pakistan and the United States met in Oman on October 16 to try to find ways of reviving peace talks with the Afghan Taliban.

Suspected U.S. Drone Strikes Kill 20 Militants Near Pakistani-Afghan Border

Missile strikes by a suspected U.S. drone hit a militant compound in the Kurram tribal region close to the Pakistan-Afghanistan border late on October 16, killing 20 extremists, intelligence officials said.

Pakistan Deports Turkish Teacher Along With Family

Pakistan has deported the Turkish former director of the PakTurk chain of private schools along with his family, his former colleagues and a lawyer have said.

Tensions With U.S. Continue Despite Pakistan Hostage Rescue

Afghan Authorities Say Truck Bombing Foiled In Kabul

Afghan authorities say they have foiled a potentially deadly blast in the capital, Kabul, after seizing a truck loaded with explosives.

Roadside Bomb Kills Four Security Troops In Northwestern Pakistan

Pakistan's military says a roadside bomb has killed four members of the country’s security forces and wounded three others in the northwestern Kurram tribal area.

Canadian Says Child Killed, U.S. Wife Raped In Afghanistan During Kidnapping

A U.S.-Canadian couple freed in Pakistan this week after almost five years in captivity in Afghanistan has returned to Canada where the husband said one of his children had been murdered and his wife had been raped.

Afghan Civilian Casualties Declined Slightly In First Nine Months Of 2017

Overall civilian casualties in Afghanistan declined 6 percent during the first nine months of 2017, the United Nations says, as the Kabul government continues to battle militants after nearly 16 years of war.

Canadian-American Family Freed From Taliban Captivity

The Pakistani military says it has rescued a North American family of five who was being held hostage for nearly five years.

International Red Cross To 'Drastically' Cut Afghan Presence After Attacks

The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) said on October 9 that it will "drastically" reduce its operations in Afghanistan following the killing of seven of its staff in attacks this year.

Pentagon Says Hurricane Relief Efforts Slow Afghanistan Deployments

The U.S. Defense Department says the military's response to the hurricane that hit Puerto Rico is delaying the deployment of forces to Afghanistan and other missions throughout the world.

Afghan President Says Most Foreign Troops Could Leave 'Within Four Years'

Afghan President Ashraf Ghani has said he believes most foreign troops will be able to leave the country "within four years."

Suicide Bombing At Pakistani Sufi Shrine Kills At Least 18

Pakistani officials say a suicide bombing at a Sufi shrine in the country's southwest has killed at least 18 people and wounded more than 30.

Amnesty International Accuses Europe Of 'Brazenly' Breaking Law With Afghan Repatriations

Amnesty International (AI) says thousands of Afghans are being put in danger by European government by forcing them home, where they face the risk of human rights abuses including torture, kidnapping, and death.

U.S. Defense Chief Says To Try ‘One More Time’ To Work With Pakistan On Afghanistan

U.S. Defense Secretary Jim Mattis says the United States would try "one more time" to work with Pakistan before turning to other measures over Islamabad’s alleged support for militant groups operating in Afghanistan.

Mattis Warns Against U.S. Pullout From Afghanistan

U.S. Defense Secretary Jim Mattis has warned that an American withdrawal from Afghanistan would be "to our ultimate peril," as he briefed Congress on plans to increase American troop levels in the war-torn country.