US, Iran Meet in Moscow on Afghanistan Peace

Militants negotiate with intermediaries, but no likely deals yet

(NEWSER) - Peace talks are under way in Afghanistan between militant leaders and intermediaries, but the insurgent groups—which include the Taliban—continue to insist on US withdrawal as a condition for peace, the New York Times reports. The Afghan government is backing the talks and optimistic about American backing, even as the US mounts a larger force in the country and maintains its demand that the Taliban disarm. More»

(NEWSER) - President Obama laid out the government's new strategy for Afghanistan today, declaring that the US must “disrupt, defeat, and dismantle” al-Qaeda and the Taliban. Obama will send another 4,000 troops to Afghanistan, on top of the 17,000 already approved. He also announced plans to work with regional powers, including Iran, to contain the threat emanating from the Afghanistan-Pakistan border. More»

Its efforts to make trouble in Afghanistan largely failed

(NEWSER) - As if the situation in Afghanistan isn't messy enough, American officials today revealed that Iran tried to stir the pot. Tehran apparently jumped on the news that US troops had burned Korans at Bagram in late February, ordering agents stationed in the country to try to spur on violent protests in Kabul and throughout western regions. The New York Times reports that nothing much came of those efforts: Some anti-US activity that killed seven in Herat Province, which abuts Iran, was likely fomented by Iran. Beyond that, it's unclear if its efforts were just unsuccessful, or if the country reeled them in. More»

Hamid Karzai is in Pakistan today to discuss negotiations

(NEWSER) - Afghan President Hamid Karzai arrived in Pakistan today, one day after telling the Wall Street Journal that his country has entered into three-way peace talks with the Taliban and the US. Karzai is in Pakistan to discuss the negotiations and request that country's help; Islamabad's cooperation is necessary, since Taliban fighters have reportedly been receiving support from Pakistan, the New York Times notes. The recent talks signal a breakthrough, considering the Taliban has up until now insisted it would not negotiate with Karzai's "puppet regime." More»

US would shift to advisory role

(NEWSER) - The White House is looking to shift US troops in Afghanistan from a combat role to a primarily advisory one earlier than previously planned. While no decisions have been made yet, the possibility has been discussed at high-level meetings with defense officials, sources tell the Wall Street Journal , with some likening it to the US’ 2009 move to an “advise and assist” role in Iraq. This time, however, US troops would remain involved in combat, only under Afghan-led operations. More»