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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.




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US forces pack up
Rep. Michael Waltz, R-Fla., at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C., on Dec. 17, 2020. A Green Beret, Waltz served in Afghanistan and is trying to help those who helped the U.S. military in Iraq and Afghanistan as fixers and translators to immigrate to the United States.<br>Matt McClain/The Washington Post

Thousands of Afghans and Iraqis, under threat for helping Americans, hope Biden will help them resettle in the US

The backlog includes about 17,000 Afghan translators and others who helped U.S. forces or diplomats and who are seeking special visas to resettle in the United States.




Reports from SIGAR
An Afghan National Army commando tests his night vision device during mission preparation in Kabul district, Afghanistan, in 2013. The Defense Department has failed to keep track of military equipment including surveillance systems, controls for laser-guided bombs and night vision devices that were provided to the Afghan government, the Special Inspector General for Afghanistan said in a report released Thursday, Dec. 17, 2020. <br>James K. McCann/U.S. Army

Sensitive US military equipment given to local forces goes unaccounted for in Afghanistan, watchdog says

Inadequate tracking of military equipment provided to the Afghan government means that 'sensitive technology remains susceptible to theft or loss,' a U.S. government watchdog agency says.

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.




Election coverage
Supporters of Afghan presidential candidate Abdullah Abdullah scramble to grab campaign posters and signs before a rally in Panjshir province. The candidate found a frenzied welcome in the fabled Panjshir Valley, where he has a strong base of support.<br> Josh Smith/Stars and Stripes

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.




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More recent reports

Dr. Judea Pearl, father of American journalist Daniel Pearl, who was killed by terrorists in 2002, speaks in Miami Beach, Fla., on April 15, 2007.<br>AP
Dr. Judea Pearl, father of American journalist Daniel Pearl, who was killed by terrorists in 2002, speaks in Miami Beach, Fla., on April 15, 2007.<br>AP

Pakistani court: Release man accused in Daniel Pearl's death

The brutality of Pearl's killing shocked many in 2002, years before the Islamic State group regularly began releasing videos of their beheadings of journalists.

In this Feb. 20, 2020 file photo, a member of the U.S. Air Force stands near a Patriot missile battery at the Prince Sultan Air Base in al-Kharj, Saudi Arabia. <br>Andrew Caballero-Reynolds, Pool/AP
In this Feb. 20, 2020 file photo, a member of the U.S. Air Force stands near a Patriot missile battery at the Prince Sultan Air Base in al-Kharj, Saudi Arabia. <br>Andrew Caballero-Reynolds, Pool/AP

US exploring new bases in Saudi Arabia amid Iran tensions

A spokesman for Central Command said the evaluation of three Saudi Arabia sites had been going on for over a year, sparked by a September 2019 drone-and-missile attack.

Taliban prisoners line up at Bagram prison before being released on May 26, 2020. Hundreds of Taliban prisoners released under the U.S.-Taliban peace deal have been rearrested after rejoining the insurgency, Afghanistan's national security advisor said. <br>Phillip Walter Wellman/Stars and Stripes
Taliban prisoners line up at Bagram prison before being released on May 26, 2020. Hundreds of Taliban prisoners released under the U.S.-Taliban peace deal have been rearrested after rejoining the insurgency, Afghanistan's national security advisor said. <br>Phillip Walter Wellman/Stars and Stripes

Taliban prisoners released under peace deal arrested after rejoining fight, official says

The Afghan military expects the insurgents to intensify attacks as the year progresses, National Security Adviser Hamdullah Mohib said.

Afghan presidential spokesman Sediq Seddiqi speaks during an interview with The Associated Press in Kabul, Afghanistan, on Monday, Aug. 17, 2020.<br>Rahmat Gul/AP
Afghan presidential spokesman Sediq Seddiqi speaks during an interview with The Associated Press in Kabul, Afghanistan, on Monday, Aug. 17, 2020.<br>Rahmat Gul/AP

Afghans welcome Biden review of US-Taliban deal to end war

Biden’s team intends to examine whether the Taliban are meeting promises to “cut ties with terrorist groups, to reduce violence in Afghanistan and to engage in meaningful negotiations with the Afghan government and stakeholders."

Doses of the Moderna vaccine arrived in Afghanistan on Jan. 17 and inoculation began the next day, U.S. Forces – Afghanistan said.<br>Vincent de Groot/Iowa Air National Guard
Doses of the Moderna vaccine arrived in Afghanistan on Jan. 17 and inoculation began the next day, U.S. Forces – Afghanistan said.<br>Vincent de Groot/Iowa Air National Guard

COVID-19 vaccination underway for US military in Afghanistan

Doses of the Moderna vaccine arrived in theater Jan. 17 and inoculation began the next day, U.S. Forces – Afghanistan said.

Jessica Donati, author of ''Eagle Down: The Last Special Forces Fighting the Forever War.'' <br>Juan Gamboa
Jessica Donati, author of ''Eagle Down: The Last Special Forces Fighting the Forever War.'' <br>Juan Gamboa

‘Eagle Down’ examines the secretive role of US Special Forces in Afghanistan

What exactly was the U.S. military doing in Afghanistan? That question lies at the heart of a new book that focuses on the opaque role U.S. Special Operations Forces have played in the country over the past five years.

Lt. Col. Paul K. Voss, left, and Capt. Ryan S. Phaneuf, shown here with his wife Megan Murat Phaneuf, died on Jan. 27, 2020, in the crash of a Bombardier E-11A aircraft in Ghazni province, Afghanistan. <br>U.S. AIR FORCE, JENILYNN PHOTOGRAPHY
Lt. Col. Paul K. Voss, left, and Capt. Ryan S. Phaneuf, shown here with his wife Megan Murat Phaneuf, died on Jan. 27, 2020, in the crash of a Bombardier E-11A aircraft in Ghazni province, Afghanistan. <br>U.S. AIR FORCE, JENILYNN PHOTOGRAPHY

Engine failure, pilot error caused crash that killed two airmen in Afghanistan

A broken fan blade started the series of events that led to the death of two pilots last year in Afghanistan, according to a report on the accident.

In a 2011 visit to Afghanistan, then-Vice President Joe Biden listens to Afghan Brig. Gen. Amlaqullah Patyani, commander of Kabul Military Training Center. In the center is Gen. David Petraeus, then the commander of the International Security Force. As president, Biden must determine whether to soon withdraw all U.S. troops from Afghanistan. <br>Defense Department
In a 2011 visit to Afghanistan, then-Vice President Joe Biden listens to Afghan Brig. Gen. Amlaqullah Patyani, commander of Kabul Military Training Center. In the center is Gen. David Petraeus, then the commander of the International Security Force. As president, Biden must determine whether to soon withdraw all U.S. troops from Afghanistan. <br>Defense Department

ANALYSIS

Biden inherits stalled Afghan peace process and looming troop withdrawal date

Peace negotiations between the Afghan government and Taliban insurgents have made little progress recently because both sides are gauging how the new administration will approach the war, analysts say.

In a 2013 photo, interpreters working for the U.S. Army in Afghanistan meet at a home in Jalalabad. They were among 6,000 Afghan interpreters who applied for U.S. visas through a special program tailored to American government employees.<br>Mikhail Galustov/The Washington Post
In a 2013 photo, interpreters working for the U.S. Army in Afghanistan meet at a home in Jalalabad. They were among 6,000 Afghan interpreters who applied for U.S. visas through a special program tailored to American government employees.<br>Mikhail Galustov/The Washington Post

US to resume processing thousands of stalled visas for Afghans who aided Americans

The U.S. Embassy in Kabul will soon resume processing thousands of stalled special visa applications for Afghans who aided U.S. forces after halting visa interviews in March because of the pandemic.

Albanian soldier dies in Afghanistan peacekeeping mission

Albania's Defense Ministry on Wednesday reported the death of a soldier in Afghanistan, the second from the tiny Western Balkan country to die during the international peacekeeping mission.

U.S. Army Spc. Nick Giovannelli from Bravo Company, 1st Battalion, 4th Infantry Regiment, fights the current as he crosses a river while on a dismount patrol mission near Forward Operation Base Baylough, Zabul Province, Afghanistan, on March 17, 2009. Giovanelli is suing to prevent retailers from selling Defense Department-released images of him. <br>Adam Mancini/U.S. Army
U.S. Army Spc. Nick Giovannelli from Bravo Company, 1st Battalion, 4th Infantry Regiment, fights the current as he crosses a river while on a dismount patrol mission near Forward Operation Base Baylough, Zabul Province, Afghanistan, on March 17, 2009. Giovanelli is suing to prevent retailers from selling Defense Department-released images of him. <br>Adam Mancini/U.S. Army

Veteran sues retailers after finding image of him in Afghanistan for sale on posters

Army veteran Nicholas Giovannelli is suing to stop several companies from “exploiting his image for profit” after he found them selling posters featuring photos of him taken in Afghanistan many years ago.

Civilian contractors prepare to load a Mine Resistant Ambush Protected vehicle on to a flatbed trailer at Bagram Airfield, Afghanistan, July 12, 2020. The U.S. has more than 18,000 contractors in Afghanistan and about 2,500 troops, an Army report said this week. <br>Corey Vandiver/U.S. Army
Civilian contractors prepare to load a Mine Resistant Ambush Protected vehicle on to a flatbed trailer at Bagram Airfield, Afghanistan, July 12, 2020. The U.S. has more than 18,000 contractors in Afghanistan and about 2,500 troops, an Army report said this week. <br>Corey Vandiver/U.S. Army

Troop levels are down, but US says over 18,000 contractors remain in Afghanistan

About one service member deployed for each contractor a decade ago, at the height of the U.S. troop presence in Afghanistan.

Afghan firefighters work at the site of a bombing attack in Kabul, Afghanistan, Sunday, Jan. 10, 2021.<br>Rahmat Gul/AP
Afghan firefighters work at the site of a bombing attack in Kabul, Afghanistan, Sunday, Jan. 10, 2021.<br>Rahmat Gul/AP

Taliban attacks kill dozens in Afghanistan, officials say

A wave of Taliban attacks and violence has killed dozens across Afghanistan, even as talks are underway between the government and the insurgents in Qatar, officials said Tuesday.

In this photo released on Saturday, Jan. 16, 2021, by the Iranian Revolutionary Guard, missiles are launched in a drill in Iran. Iran’s paramilitary Revolutionary Guard conducted a drill Saturday launching anti-warship ballistic missiles at a simulated target in the Indian Ocean, state television reported, amid heightened tensions over Tehran’s nuclear program and a U.S. pressure campaign against the Islamic Republic. <br>Iranian Revolutionary Guard, Sepahnews/AP
In this photo released on Saturday, Jan. 16, 2021, by the Iranian Revolutionary Guard, missiles are launched in a drill in Iran. Iran’s paramilitary Revolutionary Guard conducted a drill Saturday launching anti-warship ballistic missiles at a simulated target in the Indian Ocean, state television reported, amid heightened tensions over Tehran’s nuclear program and a U.S. pressure campaign against the Islamic Republic. <br>Iranian Revolutionary Guard, Sepahnews/AP

ANALYSIS

Trouble at home may change Biden's hand in Iran nuke talks

President-elect Joe Biden and his team will face allies and adversaries wondering how much attention and resolution the U.S. can bring to bear on the Iran nuclear issue or any other foreign concern, and whether any commitment by Biden will be reversed by his successor.

Pakistani raid kills Taliban suspected of slaying of troops

Pakistani militants have in recent months stepped up attacks on troops in the former tribal regions bordering Afghanistan, citing concerns that insurgents are regrouping there.


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