Afghanistan War

Following the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks in New York and Washington, the United States and a broad global alliance invaded Afghanistan to oust the Taliban, fight terrorism and hunt down Osama bin Laden. Almost a decade later, fighting continues in the Hindu Kush and peace and stability remain elusive.

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Afghan President Ghani 'The Taliban Miscalculated Massively on All Fronts'

The Taliban ravaged Afghanistan during the war, torturing and killing countless people. Afghan President Ashraf Ghani explains in an interview why his government is still willing to negotiate with them. Von Matthias Gebauer

'The Taliban Miscalculated Massively on All Fronts' - Andrew Quilty / DER SPIEGEL

Bundeswehrmission FDP wird Afghanistan-Einsatz wohl doch zustimmen

Stets hatte die FDP die Bundeswehrmission in Afghanistan mitgetragen. Doch die Zweifel wachsen auch bei den Liberalen. Nun zeichnet sich ab: Die Mehrheit der Fraktion dürfte am Ende doch wieder zustimmen. Von Severin Weiland

FDP wird Afghanistan-Einsatz wohl doch zustimmen - DPA

Bundeswehr Jetzt zweifelt sogar die FDP am Afghanistan-Einsatz

Linke und AfD lehnen ihn ohnehin ab, die Grünen stimmten zuletzt mehrheitlich gegen den Einsatz der Bundeswehr in Afghanistan. Nun debattiert auch die FDP eine Kurskorrektur. Von Severin Weiland

Jetzt zweifelt sogar die FDP am Afghanistan-Einsatz - REUTERS

Endless War A Visit with the Taliban in Afghanistan

More than 17 years after the U.S.-led invasion of Afghanistan, the country is still at war. The Afghan army is weak, a resurgent Taliban is mounting fresh attacks and new peace negotiations do not include Kabul. Peace remains a distant goal. Von Fritz Schaap und Sergio Ramazzotti

Former Afghan President Hamid Karzai 'We Failed Miserably'

In an interview with SPIEGEL ONLINE, former Afghan President Hamid Karzai discusses the failure of the U.S. intervention in Afghanistan, the future of the war and why he would be willing to work with the Trump administration. Von Susanne Koelbl

Battle for Kunduz The Taliban Erases Western Gains in Afghanistan

The Taliban has carried out repeated raids on Kunduz in northern Afghanistan despite ongoing Western presence in the country As the situation has deteriorated, locals have become caught between two fronts -- and the future of the country is at stake. Von Susanne Koelbl

The Taliban Erases Western Gains in Afghanistan - REUTERS

Interview with Afghan President Ghani 'I Have To Hold Our Country Together'

Afghan President Ashraf Ghani is calling for greater support for Afghanistan, where the Taliban's strength is growing. The fact that tens of thousands are fleeing his country to Europe is likely to be a major topic of his meeting with Chancellor Merkel on Thursday. Von Susanne Koelbl

'I Have To Hold Our Country Together' - Erin Trieb/ DER SPIEGEL

A War Waged From German Soil US Ramstein Base Key in Drone Attacks

The US Air Force base in Ramstein is a central and indispensible element in Barack Obama's controversial use of drones in the war against terror. New documents are creating pressure for both Washington and the German government. By SPIEGEL Staff

US Ramstein Base Key in Drone Attacks - REUTERS

NSA Documents The Afghanistan Kill List

Obama's Lists A Dubious History of Targeted Killings in Afghanistan

Combat operations in Afghanistan may be coming to an end, but a look at secret NATO documents reveals that the US and the UK were far less scrupulous in choosing targets for killing than previously believed. Drug dealers were also on the lists. Von SPIEGEL Staff

A Dubious History of Targeted Killings in Afghanistan - AP/Kirsty Wigglesworth

The Road to Bamiyan A Public Works Debacle that Defines Afghanistan

It was to be a symbol of reconstructed Afghanistan: a paved highway from Kabul to the beautiful valley of Bamiyan. Construction has long been underway, but the project may never be completed -- a victim of the realities in present-day Afghanistan. Von Jochen-Martin Gutsch

What Germany Left Behind A Feeling of Abandonment in North Afghanistan

Six months ago, Germany's military withdrew from Kunduz in northern Afghanistan. Since then, regional security has eroded and many of those left behind feel abandoned. Some say that the departure came too soon. Von Nicola Abé

Hamid's Shadow Karzai Confidant Takes Aim at Afghan Presidency

Zalmai Rassoul has long been a close political ally of Afghan President Hamid Karzai. Now, he is campaigning to succeed his mentor. With Karzai backing Rassoul, many believe the outgoing leader is seeking to retain his influence. Von Susanne Koelbl

Karzai Confidant Takes Aim at Afghan Presidency - AP/dpa

The Front Lines Germany's Difficult Year in Africa and Afghanistan

It won't be an easy year for new Defense Minister Ursula von der Leyen. The German military is facing a new mission in Africa while at the same time orchestrating a challenging withdrawal from war-torn Afghanistan. Potential pitfalls are numerous. Von Matthias Gebauer, Gordon Repinski und Christoph Schult

Germany's Difficult Year in Africa and Afghanistan - DPA

Taliban Revenge The Plight of Germany's Afghan Staff

Berlin is under pressure following the murder of a former Afghan interpreter who worked for the German army. The Taliban had threatened him for working with foreign troops. But only a small number of Afghan staff are getting German residence permits. Von Nicola Abé, Matthias Gebauer und Anders Somme Hammer

The Plight of Germany's Afghan Staff - DER SPIEGEL

Dresden Museum Soldiers Confront a Complex Military History

The Military History Museum in Dresden has become an important resource for German soldiers, particularly as they wrestle with their evolving role in German society and in the world. Von Christopher Alessi

Soldiers Confront a Complex Military History - REUTERS

Pakistani CIA Informant 'Drone Attacks Are the Right Thing to Do'

A Pakistani who works as an operative for the CIA spoke to SPIEGEL about his motives for helping the Americans, the civilian casualties of drone attacks and his fear of the Taliban. Von Hasnain Kazim

'Drone Attacks Are the Right Thing to Do' - AP

Kunduz Trial New Scrutiny for Deadly Afghanistan Attack

Four years ago, a German military officer ordered an attack in Afghanistan that killed at least 91 people, many of them civilians. Now that criminal charges against him have been dropped, a civil lawsuit is seeking more compensation for the families of some victims. Von Jörg Diehl und Matthias Gebauer

New Scrutiny for Deadly Afghanistan Attack - AP

Afghan Warlord 'The West Must Give Us Our Weapons Back'

Once, he was the Lion of Herat. Now Ismail Khan is a minister in the government of Afghan president Hamid Karzai. In an interview, he calls for the West to rearm the tribal militias to prevent a civil war once NATO forces leave the country. Von Christian Neef

'The West Must Give Us Our Weapons Back' - Sandra Calligaro/ Agentur Focus/ DER SPIEGEL

Troop Withdrawal Aid Groups Warn of Afghan Security Vacuum

The looming end of NATO operations in Afghanistan is creating a security vacuum that puts the entire purpose of the international mission at risk. Aid groups may have to scale down their operations, and Berlin is alarmed at US threats of total withdrawal. Von SPIEGEL Staff