Threats
Top General Wants 10,000 U.S. Troops in Afghanistan until 2017
Gen. Joseph Dunford is reportedly pushing a plan to keep 10,000 U.S. troops in Afghanistan until 2017. By Stephanie Gaskell
Ideas
Do U.S. Troops Really Need to Stay in Afghanistan?
A top U.S. commander says Afghan security forces can take on the Taliban. Does the U.S. need to stay for Afghanistan to succeed? By Stephanie Gaskell
Threats
The Looming Narco-State in Afghanistan
Afghan farmers are growing more opium today than at any time in recent memory, according to America’s watchdog in the country. By D. B. Grady
Ideas
Why It Matters that Gates Questions Obama’s Will in Afghanistan
Bob Gates’ memoir confirms what many long knew – the Obama administration has not embraced its own Afghanistan policies. By Gayle Tzemach Lemmon
Business
The Day Bob Gates Almost Quit
Former Defense Secretary Robert Gates praises and criticizes Obama, while revealing a deep exasperation for national security politics. By Kevin Baron
Ideas
Predictions for Afghanistan in 2014
Five experts forecast the war's drawdown, elections, foreign aid, democracy, and Pakistan -- all challenges for Kabul next year. CFR.org Interview By Zach Laub
Threats
Brunt of Global Terrorist Attacks Born By Three Countries
Terrorism hotspots continue to grow in Afghanistan, Iraq and Pakistan. By Kedar Pavgi
Business
Hagel: ‘No Magical Date’ for Post-2014 Troop Deal with Afghanistan
Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel says he wants a U.S. troop deal with Afghanistan in place as soon as possible. By Stephanie Gaskell
Business
U.S. Troops Exposed to Afghan Burn Pits After $5.4 Million Incinerators Fail
A new watchdog report says that troops at a forward operating base in Afghanistan were put at risk because solid waste burned in open-air. By Charles Clark
Policy
So When Does the U.S. Really Need Afghanistan to Sign the Troop Deal?
Obama administration officials still want a troop deal in Afghanistan in place by the end of the year, but want and need are two different things. By Stephanie Gaskell
Policy
Karzai: There is ‘No Deadline’ to Sign Troop Deal
Afghan President Hamid Karzai says the Dec. 31 deadline to sign a post-2014 troop deal is just ‘pressure’ from the U.S. But visiting Gen. Martin Dempsey said negotiations are ‘closed.’ By Stephanie Gaskell
Business
Hagel Softens on Troop Deal, Gives Karzai Until February - But Not April
Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel now says Afghanistan has to sign a troop deal by February’s NATO meeting. It’s not the April elections that worries him; it’s the runoffs. By Stephanie Gaskell
Policy
Congress to Karzai: Sign the Security Pact Already!
Congressional Republicans want President Obama to push for a long-term agreement with Kabul. By Sara Sorcher
Threats
Dempsey Says ‘Zero Option’ on the Table for Afghanistan As Karzai Balks
While the Afghan president continues to play politics with a post-2014 troop deal, Joint Chiefs Chairman Gen. Martin Dempsey says the ‘zero option’ is on the table. By Stephanie Gaskell
Ideas
A Return to Stoning Won’t Help the Effort to Rebrand Afghanistan
Ryan Crocker, Peter Bergen, Steve Coll and other key national security figures are banding together to keep hope alive for Afghanistan's finale. Karzai isn't helping. By Gayle Tzemach Lemmon
Policy
USAID: Aid Groups Also Stuck Waiting for Afghan Troop Agreement
USAID Administrator Rajiv Shah says the global aid community that’s so tied to the U.S. military also is eyeing the loya jirga. By Kevin Baron
Threats
Just the Beginning: Afghanistan Troop Deal Prelude to Another Half Decade of War
This is not the end. After the security agreement, U.S. involvement in Afghanistan’s conflict is far from over. By Anthony H. Cordesman
Threats
Hagel Warns Afghanistan: Sign Troop Pact Now or Post-War Plans Halt
Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel says if a troop deal isn’t signed by the end of the year, the Pentagon will have to put its post-2014 planning on hold. By Kevin Baron
Policy
Karzai: No U.S. Troop Deal Before April Elections
After reaching an agreement to keep U.S. troops past 2014, Afghan President Hamid Karzai now wants to wait until April’s presidential election to sign it. By Stephanie Gaskell
Policy