Afghanistan

COVID surge, vaccine shortages spread beyond India’s borders

Large explosion heard near US Embassy in Kabul on 9/11 anniversary

2:02 am September 11, 2019

KABUL, Afghanistan: A large explosion has been heard in Afghanistan’s capital near the US Embassy shortly after midnight on the anniversary of the 9/11 attack on the United States. A plume of smoke rose early Wednesday over Kabul. An embassy employee reached by phone confirmed the blast but had no details. It would be the […]

Trump's counter to Democratic convention? Swing state trips

Peace talks with Taliban are now ‘dead’, declares Trump

5:14 am September 10, 2019

WASHINGTON: US peace talks with the Taliban are now “dead,” President Donald Trump declared Monday, two days after he abruptly canceled a secret meeting he had arranged with Taliban and Afghan leaders aimed at ending America’s longest war. Trump’s remark to reporters at the White House suggested he sees no point in resuming a nearly […]

Pompeo says China's policies on Muslims amount to 'genocide'

US, Taliban keep open door to talks after summit scrapped

1:49 pm September 9, 2019

Washington: The United States and Afghanistan’s Taliban on Sunday both left the door open to fresh talks after President Donald Trump abruptly cancelled a secret summit, but the insurgents threatened to inflict greater costs. Washington also said it would not relent in fighting the militants after Trump blamed the scuttling of the unprecedented meeting on […]

Plan for Taliban meeting latest bold Trump gamble to unravel

8:51 am September 9, 2019

WASHINGTON: President Donald Trump’s weekend tweet canceling secret meetings at Camp David with the Taliban and Afghan leaders just days before the anniversary of the Sept. 11 attacks is the latest example of a commander in chief willing to take a big risk in pursuit of a foreign policy victory only to see it dashed. […]

Pompeo doesn’t rule out new Taliban talks

10:46 pm September 8, 2019

Washington : US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on Sunday did not rule out reopening talks with the Taliban if they make a “significant commitment,” after President Donald Trump cancelled a secret meeting with their leaders at his Camp David retreat. Pompeo said Trump had not decided whether he would still withdraw US troops — […]