Afghanistan

Operation Enduring Freedom: A look back in photos

With the curtain coming down on combat operations, Stars and Stripes is looking back at the U.S. troops who have fought in the war, what they encountered, and how they coped. We present three photo galleries featuring the work of our photographers and reporters who have covered the war in Afghanistan.

Afghans often unintended victims of Taliban attacks on Jalalabad Road

At a time when coalition fatalities are at 10-year lows — NATO deaths fell for the fifth straight year in 2014 — the United Nations counted 3,188 Afghan civilians killed and 6,429 injured nationwide last year, a record high. And some suspect the count is much higher.

US military classifies reports on Afghan oversight

As the United States declares an end to its war in Afghanistan, the American-led coalition has taken steps to classify most of the indicators of how Afghan forces are faring after more than a decade of assistance.

Congress created the Office of the Special Inspector General for Afghanistan Reconstruction (SIGAR) to provide independent and objective oversight of Afghanistan reconstruction projects and activities.

VIDEO

Politics in Panjshir: Life on the Afghan campaign trail

As Afghanistan's presidential election entered its final week, fears of violence and corruption concerns didn't stop Afghans from reveling in what would be the country's first peaceful, democratic transfer of power.

Israeli documentary details Kurds’ battle against Islamic State

Photojournalist Eddie Gerald remembers the first time he saw Sinan Ben Saleh, an Islamic State fighter who’d been taken prisoner by Kurdish troops in northern Iraq.
Anti-Charlie Hebdo protest in Kabul turns violent

A protest in the Afghan capital, Kabul, Saturday against the French satirical magazine Charlie Hebdo, turned into a violent confrontation between riot police and demonstrators, police said.
3 men shot in Afghanistan worked for North Carolina firm

A North Carolina-based firm says it employed the three military contractors who were shot to death earlier this week in Afghanistan.
Afghans often unintended victims of Taliban attacks on Jalalabad Road

At a time when coalition fatalities are at 10-year lows — NATO deaths fell for the fifth straight year in 2014 — the United Nations counted 3,188 Afghan civilians killed and 6,429 injured nationwide last year, a record high. And some suspect the count is much higher.
Military contractor killed in Kabul attack remembered as 'friend to everybody'

Walt Fisher, a 49-year-old employee of Fayetteville, N.C.-based Praetorian Standard Inc. (PSI), was one of three American contractors killed in a shooting on Thursday at Kabul’s international airport, according to his wife, Dre Fisher.
Anger, mourning in Pakistan after mosque bombing kills 59

Thousands of Shiites across Pakistan mourned and protested Saturday after a bombing at a Shiite mosque in the country killed at least 59 people.
Terrorists? Extremists? White House wrangles with rhetorical terminology

President Barack Obama has long tried to shift his administration's terror rhetoric away from what he saw as the hyperbolic terminology used by his predecessor, George W. Bush.
Gunman in fatal attack on US contractors in Afghanistan was in uniform

The killing of three American aircraft mechanics at the Kabul airport was done by a man in an Afghan uniform who was killed at the scene of the shooting, the Pentagon said Friday.
Bomb rips through Shiite Muslim mosque in Pakistan; 49 dead

A bomb blast ripped through a Shiite mosque in southern Pakistan as worshippers were gathering for Friday prayers, killing 49 people and wounding dozens more, officials said.
Taliban claim Kabul attack that killed 3 Americans, 1 Afghan

The Taliban have claimed responsibility for an attack at the Kabul airport in which a gunman shot and killed three American contractors and one Afghan man.
Pakistanis fleeing offensive find new dangers in Afghanistan

Tens of thousands of Pakistanis have sought shelter at a sprawling refugee camp in a volatile region of Afghanistan after crossing the mountainous border to escape a military onslaught against insurgents.
Senator: Detainees swapped for Bergdahl have contacted militants

The Pentagon says it is working with Qatar and is confident that any threat posed by the former detainees can be mitigated. The country promised it would keep the five under watch for a year, though they would then be free to leave.
Troops in Afghanistan will get game pizza

U.S. troops in Afghanistan will get a taste of home this Super Bowl Sunday when a group continues its tradition of sending thousands of pizzas to those deployed.
Poll shows Afghans want greater US role than planned

Many Afghans would like to see a greater American role after this year than is currently planned, while a majority believe that last year’s runoff election that led to a U.S.-brokered power-sharing government was "mostly fraudulent," according to a national poll released Thursday.
3 US contractors killed in shooting at Kabul airport

Three U.S. contractors were killed and a fourth wounded Thursday in a shooting in Kabul, a U.S. defense official said. Two media outlets reported that the shooter was an Afghan in an Army uniform.
Few of Afghan president’s Cabinet nominees confirmed
US military classifies reports on Afghan oversight
Bus crashes into fuel truck in Afghanistan, 23 killed
Suicide bomb at Afghan funeral for Taliban victims kills 16
American killed in Libya attack was former Marine turned contractor
USAID suspends awards to US contractor working in Iraq, Afghanistan
Pakistani airstrikes kill 35 militants in tribal region
Truck bombing in Afghanistan's capital, Kabul, wounds 2
Japan agonizes over ways to free Islamic State hostages
Gallup poll: Afghans’ economic outlook dims
Mom of soldier electrocuted in base shower hails Supreme Court ruling
US charges Yemenis over alleged murder plot
Q&A: A look at Japan and the 2 Islamic State hostages
Supreme Court allows lawsuits over burn pits, electrocutions
Report: Afghan journalists self-censor to survive
The war we leave behind: Afghan forces continue fight
Suspected US drone strike kills 4 in Pakistan
Afghans protest French weekly's prophet cover for 3rd day
Taliban attack Afghan soldiers in eastern province, kill 2
New year brings new season of buzkashi to Afghanistan
US troops to deploy to Middle East to train Syrian rebels
US watchdog: Buildings at Afghanistan training range ‘melting’
Palestinians decry Paris attacks as assault on their best European friend
Islamic State begins recruiting campaign in Pakistan, Afghanistan
Man admits to stealing computer equipment from Afghanistan base
New Afghan cabinet nominations announced
Marine mom works for better PTSD programs
Security review likely in France after attack
From resupply to evacs, Afghan air support assumes growing role
Suspicions grow of Yemen link to suspected Paris attack gunmen
Expect more US casualties in Afghanistan, top NATO commander says
100 soldiers from Joint Base Lewis-McChord headed to Iraq
Afghan women's gains in jeopardy as US troops leave
Support for Afghanistan war rises as combat mission ends
Afghan health care at risk as international aid is scaled back

Afghanistan

Mideast

Pakistan

'Johnnie' comes marching

When Kathleen Rodgers wrote “Johnnie Come Lately,” pieces of her military background found their way into the story. In fact, a lot of her life found its way into the story of Johnnie Kitchen and her family in the book, which hits bookstore shelves Sunday. The action takes place in Texas, for instance; Kathleen and her husband, now retired from the Air Force, also live in Texas. However, the b
Year in review

The old year has gone. A new year has begun. Before I begin filling a clean calendar with new events and stories, here’s a look at some Spouse Calls columns from last year’s pages.
Empty chairs, extra chairs

The feast will be on the table, but military families' thoughts will be on the chairs
Veterans group highlights issues for November midterms
Best Dempsey town hall questions were those left unanswered

Operation Enduring Freedom: A look back in photos

Topics

US forces pack up

Afghans often unintended victims of Taliban attacks on Jalalabad Road

Reports from SIGAR

US military classifies reports on Afghan oversight

US watchdog: Buildings at Afghanistan training range ‘melting’

SIGAR: Major investments in Afghan security at risk

Attack plane built for Afghanistan comes under scrutiny

Election coverage

VIDEO

Politics in Panjshir: Life on the Afghan campaign trail

Recent videos

More recent reports

Israeli documentary details Kurds’ battle against Islamic State

Anti-Charlie Hebdo protest in Kabul turns violent

3 men shot in Afghanistan worked for North Carolina firm

Afghans often unintended victims of Taliban attacks on Jalalabad Road

Military contractor killed in Kabul attack remembered as 'friend to everybody'

Anger, mourning in Pakistan after mosque bombing kills 59

Terrorists? Extremists? White House wrangles with rhetorical terminology

Gunman in fatal attack on US contractors in Afghanistan was in uniform

Bomb rips through Shiite Muslim mosque in Pakistan; 49 dead

Taliban claim Kabul attack that killed 3 Americans, 1 Afghan

Pakistanis fleeing offensive find new dangers in Afghanistan

Senator: Detainees swapped for Bergdahl have contacted militants

Troops in Afghanistan will get game pizza

Poll shows Afghans want greater US role than planned

3 US contractors killed in shooting at Kabul airport

AP headlines

Mideast around the web

Recent blogs

'Johnnie' comes marching

Year in review

Empty chairs, extra chairs

Veterans group highlights issues for November midterms

Best Dempsey town hall questions were those left unanswered

Best Shot of the Season

Vet Jobs

Book Club