Josh Smith

Joint projects aim to help improve Afghan bases

As international troops pack up across Afghanistan, the question of how facilities they leave behind should be used is often a source of friction between local officials and departing troops.
19:05 May 19, 2013
Advisers face reality checks along Afghan border

It’s 9 o’clock in the morning and the passport office at Afghanistan’s busiest border crossing is dark and empty.
04:32 May 11, 2013
DOD identifies seven Americans killed on deadliest day of Afghan war this year

The Department of Defense has identified the five soldiers and two Marines killed in separate attacks in Afghanistan on Saturday.
14:56 May 7, 2013

Recent media

Joint projects aim to help improve Afghan bases May 18, 2013
Advisers face reality checks along Afghan border May 10, 2013
DOD identifies seven Americans killed on deadliest day of Afghan war this year May 7, 2013
Taliban announce spring offensive April 27, 2013
Success in Taliban stronghold might not be lasting April 10, 2013
Female host deals with family issues on radio show in Afghanistan March 30, 2013
Teaching Afghans the paperwork of war March 29, 2013
US troops, Afghan police tour village in 'birthplace of Taliban' March 16, 2013
Roving checkpoints keep an eye on Afghan-Pakistan border activity March 11, 2013
As Afghanistan missions go on, planners face logistics challenges March 9, 2013
Afghan aircrews training to proceed without foreign aid February 22, 2013
Departure ends Air Force medevac missions at Kandahar February 15, 2013
Military cleans vehicles to meet standards for return to US from Afghanistan February 9, 2013
Pentagon battles rumors over deployed soldiers’ meals January 9, 2013
UK soldier killed in year’s first insider attack January 8, 2013

Josh Smith

Josh Smith covers Afghanistan for Stars and Stripes. He came from National Journal in Washington, D.C. where he covered technology, national security and politics. He previously worked at the Deseret News in Salt Lake City, doing stints on the state legislature, courts and crime beats. In 2009 he graduated Summa Cum Laude from Southern Utah University with a degree in Communication and Political Science. He also holds a graduate certificate in Advanced International Affairs from Texas A&M University.

Contact information:

smith.josh@stripes.com

Phone:
German mobile:+49(0)162-278-3504
Afghan mobile:+93(0)78-545-6812
Twitter: @joshjonsmith

Live now on the Tablet Edition

DOD civilians use 'strength in numbers' to fight LQA loss

Facebook is turning into a rallying point for those who are now on the hook for housing allowance.
Gallery

From the archives: Cold War chronicles

Throughout the Cold War, Stars and Stripes reporters were at the ready to report every rise in temperature.
Gallery

Photos of the week: Army

Our staff-selected photos of the week of the Army in action.
Improved grenade design on the way

Troops can soon look forward to small improvements, even a possible complete redesign, of the fragmentation hand grenade.

Latest Blog Postings

The Ruptured Duck

House Republicans push for backlog commission

The 15-person panel would weigh in on VA’s claims processing and evaluation problems.
Stripes Central

Busy lawmakers take time to help Muppets and the USO

When Cookie Monster asks for a favor, even Congress listens.
Europe Traveler

Hear some free music in Europe this summer

What beats an outdoor music concert? A free one! As summer kicks in, enjoy loads of musical performances at no cost during several weeks. Here's a hearty sampling.
Stripes Central

House moves to block another BRAC round

Defense budget language introduced by House lawmakers forbids DOD from planning or initiating another round of Base Realignment and Closure.
Good Game

All for One and One for all?

Microsoft unveiled the successor to its Xbox 360 on Tuesday and showed off a console that tries to do it all.
Pacific Sportsblog

Far East fearless forecasting

Here are the teams to watch at this week’s Far East high school spring sports tournaments.

Most Read
E-mailed
Hot Topics

Does military culture foster environment of sex abuse? May 23, 2013
Did the Pentagon cry wolf over sequestration? May 23, 2013
Female Marine gets reprimand, loss of pay in adultery case April 25, 2013
ISB wins again, spoils Heidelberg's final game May 23, 2013
DOD civilians use 'strength in numbers' to fight LQA loss May 22, 2013
Stryker brigade in Hawaii needs review, Army general says May 23, 2013
Audio: Confusion reigned before destroyer Porter's collision May 23, 2013
DODDS-Europe soccer championships - Day 4 May 20, 2013
Protests on Okinawa aren't always what they appear to be May 23, 2013
DODEA to announce dates for school closings related to furloughs May 22, 2013

VA researcher quits over burn pit studies 17:36 May 19, 2013
DODEA to announce dates for school closings related to furloughs 17:26 May 22, 2013
WWII-era Navy photographer Wayne Miller dies 23:43 May 22, 2013
Kenya police kill 'terror couple' 08:25 May 19, 2013
Does social media add fuel to servicemembers' degrading actions? 04:01 May 20, 2013
What do you want to be when you grow up? 17:19 May 23, 2013
Suspected Chinese subs raise concerns in Japan 01:01 May 23, 2013
Brutal attack in London blamed on radical Islam 13:48 May 23, 2013
Wounded veterans find multiple benefits from paddling on dragon boat teams 15:17 May 22, 2013
Symbols of US, Myanmar cooperation with a divergent fate 17:22 May 21, 2013

Your Photos on Stripes Spotted

Graduation Tab
Book Club
Attention Shoppers

Graduation Tab

Don’t miss your chance to send your favorite grad a note of congratulations, printed in the pages of Stars and Stripes’ keepsake publication. The deadline for submissions is May 23rd.