Analysis 2019-12-31 New ISIS leader remains shrouded in mystery If Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi's successor is to avoid an internal leadership challenge, he will be forced to step out of the shadows, say analysts.
Security 2019-12-30 Taliban has 'no ceasefire plans' The denial of a potential ceasefire deal comes as the insurgent group killed at least 13 Afghan security personnel during a raid on a pro-government militia.
Security 2019-12-30 2019: a year of Taliban retreat as militants lose control of 13 districts Better-equipped security forces and increased public rejection of the Taliban are just two of the many reasons for the year of Taliban losses on the battlefield.
Security 2019-12-27 People's Peace Movement on the road again in call for war's end The travelling group seeks an intra-Afghan dialogue on peace and an immediate ceasefire to facilitate the end of the conflict between the government and the Taliban.
Security 2019-12-27 War in Afghanistan caused 100,000 civilian casualties in past decade: UN The conflict 'continues to take an appalling toll,' the report said.
Security 2019-12-26 40 years on, veterans still grapple with Soviet-Afghan war In the decades since the war ended in 1989, Afghan veterans have had to grapple with the physical and emotional wounds of a bloody conflict whose purpose remains angrily contested.
Economy 2019-12-25 ISIS scrambles to recoup key funding streams following series of defeats Deprived of its previous sources of revenue, including oil smuggling, ISIS is struggling to find alternative means to raise money.
Security 2019-12-24 Decades later, Soviet bombs still killing Afghans Last year, mines and other 'explosive remnants of war' killed or wounded 1,391 Afghans -- more than half of them children, according to government statistics.
Security 2019-12-23 On the run, ISIS remnants face imminent defeat in Kunar Province ISIS fighters who were defeated in neighbouring Nangarhar Province are hiding in the mountains of Kunar.
Security 2019-12-23 Taliban claim blast that killed US soldier in Afghanistan The killing could affect the course of peace talks.
Security 2019-12-20 New campaign amplifies voices of the Afghan people on peace negotiations The campaign, launched by the European Union and the Swedish Committee for Afghanistan, aims to magnify and share the people's hopes and concerns with the negotiating parties.
Women's Rights 2019-12-19 Government campaigns prove vital in advancing rights of Afghan women Awareness campaigns about women's rights have reduced incidents of gender-based violence and given women more access to government resources and law enforcement agencies.
Security 2019-12-19 Nangarhar residents return home to rebuild their lives after ISIS defeat Nangarhar residents are enjoying a return to peace in the region after ISIS was ousted through a joint effort of public uprising forces and government troops.
Security 2019-12-18 13 Taliban fighters surrender in Samangan citing disgust with group's tactics 'I couldn't tolerate the group's atrocities, harassment of and violence against my people,' one former Taliban member said after surrendering.
Security 2019-12-18 Angered by killings, residents of Darzab District rise up against Taliban The Taliban arbitrarily murdered three students, sparking a wave of protests against the group and its ongoing campaign of violence.
Security 2019-12-18 Ghani, Khalilzad discuss potential ceasefire with Taliban in Kabul Peace talks with the Taliban were paused last week after an attack near Bagram Air Base.
Security 2019-12-17 Roadside bomb in Khost kills 10 members of family heading to funeral The Taliban planted the bomb, say Afghan officials.
Human Rights 2019-12-17 Thousands of Iranians face torture, execution in post-protest crackdown At least 7,000 people have reportedly been arrested in Iran, and interviews and evidence show that many face dire circumstances.
Security 2019-12-16 Religious scholars, tribal elders express optimism over Taliban peace talks Recent gatherings in western Afghanistan have expressed hope for peace talks and continued support for Afghan forces.
Youth 2019-12-13 Afghans welcome passage of Child Protection Act by Wolesi Jirga The new law offers a variety of protections for children under the age of 18.
Security 2019-12-13 Roadside bomb kills 10 civilians in Ghazni as US-Taliban talks on 'brief pause' Peace talks were put on pause after a Taliban attack earlier this week.
Security 2019-12-12 Female special forces officers join operations against ISIS in Nangarhar The female personnel protected women and children and enabled house searches.
Security 2019-12-12 Herat protesters warn Tehran is pushing Afghanistan to be world's next Syria The Iranian regime's continuing support for insurgent groups like the Fatemiyoun Division creates an environment in which instability flourishes, Herat residents say.
Security 2019-12-11 Afghan forces rescue civilians under Taliban siege in western provinces The Taliban cut off one area in Herat Province for five months, causing 9,000 civilians to starve and preventing the sick and elderly from getting critical medical care.
Security 2019-12-11 Taliban attack US base in Kabul amid renewed peace talks The latest attack appears to be in line with the Taliban's strategy of murdering civilians as a means to put pressure on the Afghan government and its international allies at the negotiating table.
Women's Rights 2019-12-11 'Pink Shuttle' buses help Afghan women navigate conservative society Freedom to drive is just another milestone achieved by women after an international coalition evicted the Taliban.
Women's Rights 2019-12-10 Widows of soldiers killed by Taliban find unique job opportunity in Nangarhar About 100 women, mostly widows whose husbands were killed by Taliban fighters, are earning a living thanks to Najiba Sahibzada.
Security 2019-12-10 Optimism in Afghanistan grows amid improved peace prospects, security A better economic situation in Afghanistan along with an improvement in women's rights is cited as spurring confidence in the future.
Security 2019-12-09 Millions of Afghans lose telecom services as Taliban destroy over 200 towers Moves by militants to disrupt services are taking a toll on civilians as well as on telecom providers.
Economy 2019-12-09 Financially weakened Iran to accept $5 billion 'investment' from Russia Iran has suffered a sharp economic downturn, with a plummeting currency sending inflation skyrocketing and driving up import prices. Russia appears to see an opportunity.
Terrorism 2019-12-09 Stunned residents return to Achin District after ISIS's ouster Residents recount ISIS's atrocities during the four years the terrorist group tried to gain a foothold in Afghanistan. The group admitted defeat in Nangarhar Province last month.
Security 2019-12-06 Nangarhar's successes against ISIS continue as almost 100 fighters surrender A total of about 1,450 ISIS fighters and their family members have surrendered to the government over the past two months as local forces step up operations to clear out militants.
Security 2019-12-06 Kohistanat residents rise up against Taliban Fed up by the Taliban's extortion and restrictions on daily life, local residents staged a protest against the militants. The Taliban responded with loaded weapons.
Economy 2019-12-05 Herat authorities counter dollar smuggling with ban on Iranian rials Officials are trying to encourage the use of the Afghani.
Politics 2019-12-05 US negotiator set to restart Taliban peace talks The talks will aim to establish a ceasefire and set the groundwork for intra-Afghan peace talks.
Security 2019-12-04 Renowned Japanese doctor, 5 Afghans killed in Nangarhar attack President Ashraf Ghani described the physician as 'one of the closest friends of Afghanistan'.
Security 2019-12-03 Deadly blast in Kunduz highlights continuing danger of land mines The blast killed 15 civilians, including 8 children, while 164 countries agreed to work toward a 'mine free' world by 2025.
Politics 2019-12-03 Iranian regime's warm reception of Taliban draws anger in Afghanistan No government has the right to meet with the Taliban without the presence of the Afghan government, officials say.
Politics 2019-12-02 Image of vaunted Iranian leader Qasem Soleimani 'inflated' IRGC Quds Force commander Qasem Soleimani has been touted as a mastermind by pro-Iran media, but his achievements tell another story.
Security 2019-12-02 Taliban fighters surrendering in Ghor pledge support against former comrades "When we were with the Taliban, we lived in fear day and night," said one militant who surrendered.