U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan

The reality in Afghanistan and the region provides a lot for peacemakers to work with -- if we can look past gloomy predictions.

In its latest quarterly report, SIGAR says the withdrawal complicates its mission, but does not diminish the necessity of oversight as U.S. funds continue to flow.

The strikes, which include several conducted last week, indicate stepped up U.S. support after weeks of battlefield gains by the Taliban as U.S. troops complete their withdrawal. 

The consensus is that negotiation is the only way out of the conflict for Afghanistan, but that only holds true if the international community is united. It’s not.

Afghan interpreters plead for support from the Australian government as the threat from the Taliban increases.

Afghan civilians, always in the crossfire between government and Taliban forces, are more at risk than ever before.

Moscow is also reported to be open to some kind of cooperation with the U.S., though far short of American bases in Central Asia.

Zalmay Khalilzad's visit came just hours after Afghanistan withdrew its ambassador from Pakistan.

Just as in 2014, there is a sense of anxiety bordering on panic about the impending U.S. withdrawal.

As the U.S. looks to station over-the-horizon capabilities to address issues in Afghanistan, Central Asia is an obvious locale.

Gen. Scott Miller has served as America's top commander in Afghanistan since 2018.