Afghanistan
Biden and the Middle East
If there was ever a time for the U.S. to seriously consider a troop withdrawal from the Middle East, that time is now.
Can Congress End 'Forever Wars' Before the U.S. Starts A New One?
"We're all very aware that Congress needs to reassert our war powers authority and stop ceding this authority to the executive branch," California Representative Ted Lieu told Newsweek.
Joe Biden 'Can't Picture' Having U.S. Troops in Afghanistan by Next Year
"We will leave, the question is when we leave," President Joe Biden said of the U.S. effort to withdraw from Afghanistan.
Biden Shouldn't Miss His Shot at Ending America's Longest War
We should have ended the war well over a decade ago, but we can't change the past.
Biden Defense Chief Arrives in Afghanistan, Taliban Pushes Trump Exit Plan
The Taliban warned the Biden administration—the fourth since the start of the war in 2001—it will be in "violation" of the Trump-led withdrawal if U.S. troops don't leave by May 1.
Afghanistan President Ashraf Ghani's Government Needs to Go
Afghans should support the current U.S. peace plan.
Tear Down the Wall, Say Both Parties of 'Troubling' Capitol Barriers
"With all this razor wire around the complex, it reminds me of my last visit to Kabul. This is the Capitol of the United States of America," Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell said of the building's security walls.
Biden's Syria Strike was Neither Defensive Nor Defensible
The White House sought no congressional permission for the strike, as the Constitution requires.
Antony Blinken Vows to do Things Differently. Will He?
Secretary Antony Blinken appears to recognize that Washington can frequently be its own worst enemy.
U.S. Spent $7.8B on Cars, Buildings in Afghanistan—Most Fell Into Disrepair
About $2.4 billion in assets were not in use, not in use as intended or in disrepair, according to the Special Inspector General for Afghanistan Reconstruction.
Could Biden Trigger An All-Out Conflict in Afghanistan?
"The United States entered this war without a strategy and already left a mess behind," Afghan war refugee and former U.S. official Arash Yaqin told Newsweek. "But staying longer will mean more mess, more American casualties, and more Afghan deaths."
Exclusive: Taliban Warns Biden Going Back on Afghan Deal 'Causes Problems'
"There is no doubt that adherence to the agreement and its provisions will contribute greatly to ending the war and solving problems, because it was the result of tremendous efforts," Taliban spokesperson Mohammad Naeem told Newsweek.
Biden's State Dept. Denies Role in Taliban Pipeline Talks With Turkmenistan
After the president canceled permits for the Keystone XL pipeline claims swirled alleging his administration's involvement in the central Asian pipeline project.
Lawmakers Back Bipartisan Call for War on Terrorism Memorial in Washington
The proposed memorial would be established on the National Mall near to similar commemorations.
U.S. Can Show Nuclear Negotiators it Keeps its Word With Afghanistan Exit
Should he keep U.S. forces in Afghanistan past May, Joe Biden, like the three previous presidents before him, will own America's longest war and find it harder to withdraw in the future.
'My Husband and I Fell in Love After Insurgents Attacked Us in Afghanistan'
Although we could hear the attack, all I knew was that Chris was on an aircraft at the airfield ready to take off.
Will Biden Make the Right Choice on Afghanistan?
If the president is genuinely committed to closing the book on a two decade-long misadventure in Afghanistan, he needs to resist the temptation of accepting the same, old advice.
Lasting Peace in Afghanistan Must be Afghan Led
For peace to be successful Afghanistan must lead, rather than blame.
The U.S. Must Remain Engaged with Central Asia
The people of Uzbekistan, as do the American people, want to live in a world where our families are safe.
Taliban Dismisses Afghan Try to Slow US Exit: We've 'Made Great Sacrifices'
"We want the independence of our country and for the fate of our people to be in their hands, and this is the goal of every human being," Taliban spokesperson Mohammad Naeem told Newsweek.
Taliban Calls on Biden to Follow Trump's Afghanistan Peace Plan
"We, on our part, are committed to what we pledged, and we want the other side to also abide by what is pledged in the agreement," Taliban spokesperson Mohammad Naeem told Newsweek.
Joe Biden Confronts Vladimir Putin on Navalny Poisoning in First Call
The Russian president was among the last world leaders to congratulate Biden on his victory over Trump.
Why is the Taliban Murdering Journalists—Even as it's Trying to Rebrand?
The Taliban have been on a relentless and sleek campaign to cast themselves as legitimate political players and peace partners in Afghanistan.
Iran Presses U.S. to Exit Iraq and Afghanistan, Maneuvers to Influence Both
President-Elect Joe Biden will inherit a long-awaited drawdown in both countries, with American rivals waiting in the wings to fill the power vacuum.
The International Criminal Court Needs To Investigate Venezuela
Whether the ICC decides to investigate Venezuela could determine its future.
Could Trump's Afghanistan Troop Withdrawal Trigger a Government Shutdown?
Sen. Rand Paul objects to part of the defense bill he says will make it harder for the president to reduce U.S. troops from the Middle East.
Rand Paul Is Blocking Passage of Defense Funding Bill, GOP Senator Says
Wyoming Republican Congresswoman Liz Cheney said Thursday that Kentucky Senator Rand Paul's opposition to the bill was "inexcusable."
NATO Accuses Taliban of Undermining Afghanistan Peace Process with Attacks
The alliance condemned violence "especially driven by Taliban attacks" as risking the talks between the Afghan government and the Taliban.
Why is the NDAA Trying to Keep Us in Afghanistan?
The very same members of Congress who aren't comfortable with voting to send Americans in uniform into harm's way seem more than willing to vote to keep them there.
Crucial Months Ahead for Afghanistan
The road to Afghan peace is ensuring that moderate political leaders in Afghanistan, the ones that have social capital with their constituencies in various parts of Afghanistan, are empowered in the peace process.