afghanistan

U.S. Successfully Exports its Second Amendment Values to Afghanistan

Adam Weinstein · 07/28/14 12:13PM

This is America, and when America launches a war to make not-America more like America, by God, America does it right. Which is why we can now declare unconditional victory in Afghanistan: victory for the American bedrock value of flooding a country with legal guns that end up in illegal hands.

Bowe Bergdahl Could Return to Active Duty Today

Allie Jones · 07/14/14 09:13AM

Defense officials said late Sunday that former Taliban POW Bowe Berdahl will return to active duty as early as today. According to a report from The New York Times, Berdahl will live in the barracks and take a job at Fort Sam Houston in San Antonio, where he's been in therapy the past few weeks.

Runner-up in Afghan Presidential Election Calls Results a "Coup"

Allie Jones · 07/08/14 07:27AM

Afghanistan's election drama got worse this week when the preliminary results of last month's presidential runoff were released to show contender Abdullah Abdullah losing by a wide margin. His camp responded by calling the election a "coup" against the people's votes.

The Taliban Cut Off the Fingers of 11 Afghan Voters

Aleksander Chan · 06/15/14 07:46PM

According to Afghan police, Taliban insurgents cut the index fingers off 11 voters who participated in Saturday's presidential run-off between foreign minister Abdullah Abdullah and former finance minister Ashraf Ghani Ahmadzai. The incident occurred in Herat, in western Afghanistan. All 11 fingers were from men.

Bowe Bergdahl Says He Was Tortured in Captivity

Andy Cush · 06/09/14 07:51AM

According to an Associated Press report, Sgt. Bowe Bergdahl has said that he was tortured, beaten, and kept in a cage by Taliban forces while held captive in Afghanistan. Bergdahl spoke of the torture — which allegedly came after he attempted to escape — to people treating him at a U.S. military medical center in Germany.

Report: Bergdahl Walked Off Twice Before Disappearing in 2009

Aleksander Chan · 06/05/14 02:26PM

Two reports released today reveal new details about the dealings of the capture and release of Sgt. Bowe Bergdahl from Taliban forces. The first report, from the New York Times, states that Bergdahl walked away from designated areas on military bases twice—once in Afghanistan, and once in California—before disappearing in June 2009.

Angry Conservatives Forgot Their Old Angry Tweets Supporting P.O.W.

Adam Weinstein · 06/04/14 03:05PM

Conservatives want you to know they're simply telling an inconvenient truth about the bad behavior of U.S. soldier Bowe Bergdahl and the Obama administration's effort to get him back from Taliban captivity. It's also a truth that's 180 degrees from the truth they tweeted lo, these many years ago!

Who Are the GOP Strategists Running the Anti-Bowe Bergdahl Show?

Adam Weinstein · 06/03/14 10:05AM

Several soldiers who served with Bowe Bergdahl, the recently freed U.S. prisoner of war in Afghanistan, would like to tell you how to deal with that dirtbag. They don't want to get into the politics, but they have ideas. Would you like to book them for your show? Just call the Republican strategists representing them.

The Treason Case Against the Last U.S. Taliban Hostage, Explained

Adam Weinstein · 06/02/14 11:45AM

Sgt. Bowe Bergdahl, the only prisoner of war held by the enemy in Afghanistan, was freed last week after a deal by the U.S. to exchange him for five Taliban fighters at Guantanamo. But is he a turncoat? And did the White House sell out America to secure him? Here's what we know.

Sarah Hedgecock · 05/29/14 11:42AM

Supporters of Afghan presidential candidate Abdullah Abdullah cheer during a campaign rally in Jaghuri district in Ghazni province, Afghanistan, on Thursday. The second round of the presidential election will take place on June 14. Image via Massoud Hossaini/AP.

Adam Weinstein · 05/27/14 12:40PM

President Obama is expected to officially announce today that troop levels in Afghanistan will be reduced to just under 10,000 by the year's end. That means more battalions for Africa and Syria now!