A shadowy private Russian mercenary force with close ties to the Kremlin is attempting to boost its ranks fighting in Ukraine by recruiting Afghan commandos who were trained by and fought alongside U.S. forces in Afghanistan.
Afghan lawmakers, officials, and observers see a covert Taliban alliance with Tehran to counter the increasing influence of the Islamic State, which is apparently bent on replacing the Taliban as the major insurgent faction in Afghanistan.
After heavy fighting, Talban militants have grabbed a key district in restive Helmand Province in southern Afghanistan.
After the end of major international combat operations, a senior NATO official sees the need to preserve the gains Afghan women have made during the past decade.
Afghan lawmakers have opposed the reported U.S. handover of three militants to Pakistan who were being detained inside Afghanistan.
