Peace talks

Book 16 and 17 of the series are both due out in 2020.

Even if the current "reduction of violence" holds, there is no guarantee that full talks between the Taliban and the government will succeed.

The week-long "reduction in violence" could—if successful—be a prelude to the end of the 18-year conflict.

"We have consistently stressed that genuine peace is possible when the Taliban stop the killing of Afghans, embrace an inclusive ceasefire, and enter into direct negotiations with the Afghan government," Afghan government spokesman Sediq Sediqqi wrote Sunday.

Afghanistan will likely never become an American-style democracy. But the U.S. must ensure its peace agreement with the Taliban allows no return to the status quo ante.

While not uncommon, the request comes at a moment of high tension in Washington as Democrats grow increasingly frustrated by what they view as the Trump administration's obstruction of their oversight responsibilities.

President Moon Jae-in now has two Pungsan pooches to look after.

The optimistic comments come on the heels of an attack that left one U.S. soldier dead and two others injured.

"Issues of mutual interest could naturally be on the table during the process of the visit," South Korean foreign ministry spokesman Noh Kyu-duk said.

"North Korea does have diligent people and rich resources," Abe said.

Allies of the president's son-in-law, Jared Kushner, apparently don't think this spells an end to the peace process.

Karzai has become increasingly hostile to the U.S. and warmer toward Russia.

The U.S. has said it will not attend Moscow-led peace talks scheduled for Friday.

With the United States now taking a diplomatic back seat, Russia - whose military intervention turned the tide of Syria's war and helped President Bashar al-Assad recapture Aleppo - is potentially a kingmaker.

A car filled with explosives was driven into a camp for pro-government troops.

The U.S. request to restart peace talks came in a meeting between Abbas and John Kerry.

The decision comes amid escalating Taliban-led violence in Afghanistan.

The talks are a precursor to a peace conference in the fall.

The Syrian rebels, who accuse the government of breaking the ceasefire, announced an offensive in Latakia.

Kerry calls for Putin to examine Assad's actions.

The Syrian government has agreed to let the convoys through but it is not clear how all the rebels feel.

Even if a list of opposition groups is agreed on, there is no guarantee they will attend.

The rebels want all sides in Syria's civil war to allow humanitarian access to those in need and cease attacks on civilians.

Kerry plans to raise concerns about Russia's continued bombing of Syrian opposition forces instead of ISIS militants.

More than 100 members of Syria's opposition parties and rebel fighting groups are on board.

But news of a major Taliban attack in Afghanistan dimmed hopes of dialogue.

Advocates hope the meeting will move all parties closer to peace.

But diplomats played down the possibility that stalled Afghan peace talks might restart soon.

Truck bomb kills at least six people in Logar province, south of Kabul.

Peace talks between the Afghan government and the Taliban were suspended on Friday at the request of the Taliban.