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.

UN: Torture ‘regular and prevalent’ in Afghanistan

The Afghan government has made strides in reducing the number of detainees tortured or abused by security forces, but more than a third of those taken prisoner during the conflict still say they’ve faced ill treatment, according to the United Nations.

US agencies adjust to shifting landscape in Afghanistan

The largest U.S. aid group and the government’s top watchdog in Afghanistan — two high-profile organizations inextricably linked and often at odds — are facing new challenges with fewer U.S. troops to provide security in a still dangerous environment.

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.

Afghan forces deliver aid after deadly storms

Afghan security forces on Saturday continued a third day of operations to assist remote villages and police outposts cut off by heavy snow storms and deadly avalanches.
New Afghan leaders to visit White House in March

Afghan President Ashraf Ghani and Chief Executive Abdullah Abdullah are to visit the White House next month, and Ghani has accepted an invitation to speak to a joint meeting of Congress at a time when the Obama administration is weighing whether to slow the pace of U.S. troop withdrawals from the country.
Afghan troops push Taliban from key southern district

Afghan forces on Friday routed the Taliban from a large swath of a key southern province that has long been an important insurgent stronghold, in their first major solo operation since international combat forces pulled out of the country, an American general and a senior Afghan police officer said.
NATO coalition convoy struck in Kabul

A suicide attack struck a NATO coalition convoy in downtown Kabul on Thursday, killing two people.
Official says Afghan avalanches kill at least 124 people

Avalanches caused by a heavy winter snow killed at least 124 people in northeastern Afghanistan, an emergency official said Wednesday, as rescuers clawed through debris with their hands to save those buried beneath.
UN: Torture ‘regular and prevalent’ in Afghanistan

The Afghan government has made strides in reducing the number of detainees tortured or abused by security forces, but more than a third of those taken prisoner during the conflict still say they’ve faced ill treatment, according to the United Nations.
US, French carriers begin combined airstrikes against Islamic State

A U.S and French carrier strike group have teamed up to conduct operations against the Islamic State group.
Fear of the Islamic State spawns a renegade Afghan militia

The 25 men who gathered last week in a poor enclave of this ancient city bore the scars of a lifetime of war. One lost four fingers fighting Taliban militants. Another lost his right leg fighting the Soviets. Now, seated in a bare room on a cold morning, they declared readiness to make even greater sacrifices against a new enemy: the Islamic State.
In 1st sign of Afghanistan plan change, headquarters group to deploy to Kandahar

In the first official sign that the Pentagon plans to keep a military presence in southern Afghanistan after this year, the Army is sending the 7th ID headquarters on a year-long deployment to Kandahar province.
Congressman, a combat veteran, returns to Middle East to assess threat

First-term congressman Seth Moulton just returned from his first trip back to Iraq since serving there with the Marines between 2003 and 2008. He was part of a delegation that stopped in Iraq, Afghanistan, Jordan, United Arab Emirates and Kuwait to consider the U.S. mission in those regions as the threat from the Islamic State group continues to escalate.
Officials: Gunmen kidnap 30 Hazaras in southern Afghanistan

Gunmen in southern Afghanistan kidnapped 30 members of the Hazara ethnic community, authorities said Tuesday, in what appeared to be the latest in a series of attacks on Shiites in the predominantly Sunni country.
Would-be terrorists face sentencing today in Calif.

Aspiring terrorists Sohiel Kobir and Ralph DeLeon are scheduled to be sentenced to federal prison this morning following their conviction last year for conspiring to travel to Afghanistan, join al Qaeda and commit acts of terrorism against American military targets overseas.
New US Pentagon chief convenes unusual counter-Islamic State meeting

U.S. Defense Secretary Ash Carter convened an extraordinary war council Monday on Iraq's doorstep, six days after taking office, to discuss the nitty-gritty of the administration's oft-criticized strategy for countering the Islamic State militant group and probe for gaps and weaknesses.
'The Reaper' paid a price for his battlefield kills

Nearly six years removed from his last combat tour, the war isn’t quite over for Nicholas Irving, the 3rd Ranger Regiment’s first African American sniper and reputed to be its deadliest, with close to three-dozen kills.
Troop decision looms as Pentagon chief visits Kandahar

Secretary of Defense Ashton Carter met with military commanders at Kandahar Air Field in Afghanistan Sunday, as the Obama administration weighs whether to keep troops there.
Afghan official: Central bank branch looted by its staff
Pentagon chief discusses possible change to Afghanistan plan
Fragile peace in ‘Taliban birthplace’ is cause for hope and caution
Carter visits Afghanistan days after taking reins as defense chief
Yemen's fate in UN envoy's hands as embassies evacuated
Freedom’s Sentinel now qualifying operation for Afghanistan Campaign Medal
Experts dispute upbeat views on Afghan fight
Taliban, US deny reports of peace talks in Qatar
Iran wields power from Syria to Gulf, raising alarms among Sunni rivals
2 soldiers convicted in fuel-selling scam in Afghanistan
Civilian casualties spike as Afghan forces take lead
Taliban bombers kill at least 20 killed in Afghan attack
Egypt bombs Islamist targets in Libya in retaliation for workers’ beheadings
US agencies adjust to shifting landscape in Afghanistan
Obama war request unites Congress: From either side, they hate it
Fort Carson brigade headed to Kuwait for possible showdown with the Islamic State
As the US mission winds down, Afghan insurgency grows more complex
Watchdog: DOD ignored troop health risks, continued to burn trash in Afghanistan
US commander in Afghanistan proposes slower withdrawal
White House weighs adjusting Afghan exit plan to keep more troops
UN: Taliban act like gangsters not would-be government
Report: Afghan police-Taliban ties being investigated
Former Taliban leader who joined Islamic State reported killed
Quick demise of Islamic State terrorist group unlikely, experts say
Ghani balances progress and continued need for international support at Munich conference
Wounded Army veteran plans return to Afghanistan
US, coalition conduct 1st Afghan airstrikes since end of combat mission
Brutal treatment of prisoners is traditional jihadi tactic, former SEAL says
Shifting of MRAPs being looked at in deadly Bagram cargo-plane crash
In reversal, US military to release more details on Afghan aid
Islamic State called one of top US challenges
Troops in Afghanistan join in Super Bowl revelry
Israeli documentary details Kurds’ battle against Islamic State
Afghans often unintended victims of Taliban attacks on Jalalabad Road
Military contractor killed in Kabul attack remembered as 'friend to everybody'

Afghanistan

Mideast

Pakistan

DOD energy use in fiscal 2013 lowest in nearly 40 years

The military used less energy in fiscal year 2013 than in any year since at least 1975.
Increased hearing loss in servicemembers associated with combat experience

War is hell … on your hearing.
'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

Operation Enduring Freedom: A look back in photos

Topics

US forces pack up

UN: Torture ‘regular and prevalent’ in Afghanistan

Reports from SIGAR

US agencies adjust to shifting landscape in Afghanistan

Watchdog: DOD ignored troop health risks, continued to burn trash in Afghanistan

In reversal, US military to release more details on Afghan aid

US military classifies reports on Afghan oversight

Election coverage

VIDEO

Politics in Panjshir: Life on the Afghan campaign trail

Recent videos

More recent reports

Afghan forces deliver aid after deadly storms

New Afghan leaders to visit White House in March

Afghan troops push Taliban from key southern district

NATO coalition convoy struck in Kabul

Official says Afghan avalanches kill at least 124 people

UN: Torture ‘regular and prevalent’ in Afghanistan

US, French carriers begin combined airstrikes against Islamic State

Fear of the Islamic State spawns a renegade Afghan militia

In 1st sign of Afghanistan plan change, headquarters group to deploy to Kandahar

Congressman, a combat veteran, returns to Middle East to assess threat

Officials: Gunmen kidnap 30 Hazaras in southern Afghanistan

Would-be terrorists face sentencing today in Calif.

New US Pentagon chief convenes unusual counter-Islamic State meeting

'The Reaper' paid a price for his battlefield kills

Troop decision looms as Pentagon chief visits Kandahar

AP headlines

Mideast around the web

Recent blogs

DOD energy use in fiscal 2013 lowest in nearly 40 years

Increased hearing loss in servicemembers associated with combat experience

'Johnnie' comes marching

Year in review

Empty chairs, extra chairs

Best Shot of the Season

Vet Jobs

Book Club