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Misread warnings helped lead to chaotic U.S. evacuation. Now Afghans plead for help
Biden’s assertion on Monday that some Afghans, “still hopeful for their country,” didn’t want to leave has been widely criticized.
By Zeke Miller, The Associated Press
US troop pullout will leave behind an uncertain Afghanistan
The Biden administration will begin pulling out its remaining 2,500 troops on May 1 and complete the pullout at the latest by Sept. 11 — the 20th anniversary of the al-Qaida terror attack on the U.S.
Austin arrives in Kabul on 1st trip to Afghanistan as Pentagon chief
U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin arrived Sunday in Kabul on his first trip to Afghanistan as Pentagon chief, amid swirling questions about how long American troops will remain in the country.
By Lolita C. Baldor, The Associated Press
Afghan official says security forces can hold their own against Taliban if US troops withdraw
Afghanistan’s interior minister said Saturday that Afghan security forces can hold their ground even if U.S. troops withdraw, challenging a warning from the United States predicting a withdrawal would yield quick territorial gains to the Taliban.
US presents warring Afghan sides with draft peace agreement
The document outlines the terms of a cease-fire and its enforcement, calls for the protection of the rights of women, children and minorities and envisions a truth and reconciliation commission aimed at healing 42 years of conflict.
Blinken offers plan to bolster Afghan peace process, report says
Secretary of State Antony Blinken also made clear in a letter to Afghanistan's president that the Biden administration continues to consider a “full withdrawal” of the roughly 2,500 U.S. forces in the country by the May 1 deadline negotiated by Trump administration.
Afghan peace talks resume, but path is anything but certain
The priority for the Afghan government, Washington and NATO is a serious reduction in violence leading to a cease fire.
Taliban on diplomatic blitz after Afghan peace talks stall
The Pentagon said last week that the Taliban’s refusal to meet commitments to reduce violence raises questions about whether all U.S. troops will be able to leave by May as required under the U.S.-Taliban deal.
Optimism for peace process among Afghans decreases significantly amid violence, report says
The Institute of War and Peace Studies found optimism for the country's peace process dropped to 57 percent, down from 86 percent among Afghans surveyed after talks began in September.
ISIS attack hits Kabul as Pompeo joins Afghanistan peace talks
Meanwhile, the U.S. military announced a sudden visit to the Mideast by long-range, nuclear-capable B-52H bombers, underlining America's continuing presence in the region.
Warring Afghans meet to find peace after decades of war
Afghanistan’s warring sides started negotiations for the first time, bringing together the Taliban and delegates appointed by the Afghan government Saturday for historic meetings aimed at ending decades of war.
By Aya Batrawy, The Associated Press