Afghanistan

Turkey is seeking to play a vital role in Afghanistan following the withdrawal of US forces by offering to provide security to Kabul's international airport. But Ankara faces formidable obstacles. 

The European Union’s envoy for Afghanistan said on Wednesday (16 June) time was running out for Afghan peace negotiations and more needed to be done to boost the discussions as international forces withdraw from the war-torn nation. Afghan government and Taliban negotiators have met in Qatar’s capital Doha over the past two weeks to discuss the peace process after a pause when negotiations largely stalled earlier this year.

NATO officials have approached Qatar regarding the possible use of a base where Afghan special forces could be trained following the withdrawal of foreign troops from Afghanistan by September 11, Reuters has reported.

This report provides background information and analysis on U.S. policy in Afghanistan, with a focus on the ongoing U.S. military withdrawal and its implications for a number of factors, … .

Scores of Afghan troops have been killed or wounded as the Taliban step up attacks amid a withdrawal of foreign forces.

Karzai said the US’s efforts for peace in Afghanistan have had no results as violence continues to take a toll on the people.

The US pullout from Afghanistan is at least 16 percent and as much as a quarter complete, the Pentagon’s Central Command said Tuesday.

China has renewed diplomatic efforts to help facilitate a negotiated end to the conflict in Afghanistan, saying it is ready to hold peace negotiations between warring Afghans.  

Fighting between the Taliban and Afghan government forces resumed Sunday in the restive southern province of Helmand, officials said, ending a three-day ceasefire agreed by the warring sides to mark the Eid al-Fitr holiday.

Afghan officials say Taliban militants captured a district in northern Afghanistan after hours of fighting with government forces amid a recent surge in violence as the United States begins to pull its forces from the war-torn country.