U.S.-Pakistan strategic dialogue promotes mutual goals
Blogger S. Azmat Hassan analyzes the recent policy talks between U.S. and Pakistani officials. He explains that, as is often the case between a superpower and a much weaker country, the relationship brightens up when the former needs the latter in some capacity. But, it reverts to the doldrums when that requirement subsides.
U.S. military makes plans for massive Kandahar offensive
As the battle for Marjah goes on, NATO is making plans for an even larger campaign in Kandahar, Afghanistan's second-largest city and a center of the Taliban insurgency. Daljit Dhaliwal interviews Marvin Weinbaum of the Middle East Institute about the strategy, and Deutsche Welle reports on the legacy of Russia's war in Afghanistan.
Top U.S. commander seeks forgiveness for civilian deaths
General Stanley McChrystal made the unusual move of directly apologizing to the Afghan people on local television. He sought to control the damage in the aftermath of Sunday's deadly U.S. airstrike. For more, Martin Savidge speaks with Rick Nelson, and James Bays of Al Jazeera English interviews a Taliban commander about the Marjah offensive.
Civilian casualties continue to mar Afghanistan war effort
In Afghanistan, officials said that 27 people were killed last night in Uruzgan province, when NATO aircraft fired on what was believed to be a convoy of insurgents. It turned out that the people were all civilians, including women and children. For more on the civilian toll in Afghanistan, Martin Savidge interviews Alex Thier, and James Bays reports for Al Jazeera English.
Week in Review: Afghanistan and Pakistan
There was a major blow to the Taliban with the arrests of three senior leaders in Pakistan, including the number-two Afghan Taliban official. While this was a victory for U.S. and Pakistani intelligence, it was also a reminder of how the Taliban have used Pakistan as a base. Joining Daljit Dhaliwal to talk about the Marjah offensive and more are Gideon Rose and Susan Chira.
NATO’s new Afghanistan strategy focuses on Marjah
This week, NATO launched a large operation to take the Taliban-controlled town of Marjah, as part of its new counter-insurgency strategy. NATO hopes to wipe out the Taliban presence in this part of Helmand province, clearing the way for the Afghan government to take control. Daljit Dhaliwal interviews Marvin Weinbaum, and James Bays of Al Jazeera English has more.
Afghan Taliban military leader captured in Karachi
Pakistani and American agents recently captured the second-in-command of the Afghan Taliban, Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar. Hailed as a major victory in the war in Afghanistan, last week's raid was revealed today by the New York Times. Zeina Khodr of Al Jazeera English has more on the latest news.
Week in Review: Negotiating with the Taliban
The idea of a negotiated settlement to the Afghan war gained new currency this week. In our weekly roundtable, James Rubin, a former assistant secretary of state in the Clinton administration, and Gideon Rose of Foreign Affairs magazine, join Daljit Dhaliwal to discuss the pitfalls and possibilities of negotiating with the Taliban.
Obama and the World: Afghanistan and Pakistan
Ahmad Kamal, Pakistan's former Ambassador to the United Nations, and Hassan Abbas, a former Pakistani government official who is now with the Asia Society, join Edie Magnus for a roundtable on AfPak. They discuss power-sharing with the Taliban, drone strikes along the Afghan border in northwest Pakistan and American foreign policy challenges in the region.
Western powers aim for Taliban power-sharing agreement
As the U.S.-led coalition fights an increasingly tough war against the Taliban, there is new talk of reaching out to elements of the group. On Thursday, a conference in London will explore ways of bringing the Taliban into the government and how to transfer security responsibility to Afghan forces. There is growing hope that an agreement with the Taliban could end the war.
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