Afghanistan strategy ‘is working’

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General David Petraeus, the US commander of international forces in Afghanistan, says the current military and development strategy in the country is working. In a speech in London, he said progress has been; Kabul is a secure place to live; education and literacy has surged; businesses are thriving and people are returning to Afghanistan. General Petraeus also said ISAF forces had allowed senior Taliban leaders to come into Kabul for talks with the Afghan government. Marco Werman speaks with Michael Codner of the Royal United Services Institute. Download MP3

The war in Afghanistan, nine years on

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In October 2001, the US military began its operations in Afghanistan – nine years later, there are more US troops in Afghanistan than ever. And yet the situation on the ground remains extremely difficult. Parts of the country remain under the sway of the Taliban, especially in the south and east. The country’s second-largest city, Kandahar, remains a hotbed of Taliban support. Lisa Mullins talks with The World’s Ben Gilbert in Kandahar. (Photo: Ben Gilbert) Download MP3
>>>Ben Gilbert’s coverage on The World

Taliban threaten Afghan elections

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Afghans go to the polls this weekend, more than 2,500 candidates are competing for 249 seats in the lower house of parliament. Washington is watching the elections closely, as President Barack Obama prepares a war strategy review in December that is expected to consider the scale of plans to start withdrawing American troops from next year. Taliban insurgents are threatening to disrupt the vote. GlobalPost.com correspondent Jean Mackenzie is in Kabul. Download MP3

• BBC coverage: eve-of-poll kidnappings
• On The World: Female candidates risk all for Afghan elections
• BBC video:Young Afghans embrace polls

Field support in Afghanistan

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In Afghanistan, around 140,000 US and NATO troops are fighting the resurgent Taliban. That’s almost double the number that were there when President Obama came into office. This influx of forces has come in a short period of time. 30,000 them have arrived in just the past eight months, that’s put a strain on the troops who build the bases and keep the supplies coming. The World’s Ben Gilbert has the story. (Photo: Ben Gilbert) Download MP3

• BBC coverage
• Multimedia: Ben Gilbert’s photos from Kandahar Airfield
• Audio report: Stabilizing Afghanistan

Afghanistan’s history from the Tajbeg

Multimedia photojournalist and filmmaker John McHugh traveled to Afghanistan in February 2010. He was there to cover the conflict, but during the trip he managed to gain rare access to the off-limits Queen’s Palace – a former seat of Afghanistan’s royal family – also known as Tajbeg. He says the building and its turbulent past represents the sad history of Afghanistan.

• Watch his audio slideshow here
• BBC Afghanistan coverage

Multiple Taliban attacks in Afghanistan

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Taliban gunmen and suicide bombers have attacked buildings in the heart of the Afghan capital, Kabul, setting off explosions and sparking gun battles. Fighting erupted near the Serena Hotel and the presidential palace, although Afghan President Karzai says security has now been restored. The Taliban said 20 of its fighters took part in the attack. The World’s Matthew Bell reports on the implications of the brazen Taliban attack. Download MP3

• BBC coverage

UN condemns Taliban attack

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The UN has condemned a Taliban raid on a guest house in Kabul that killed six of its employees and vowed it would not deter its work in Afghanistan. The Taliban said they carried out the attack and vowed there would be more ahead of the second round of the presidential elections scheduled for November 7th. The World’s Aaron Schachter has stayed in the Kabul neighborhood in which the attack took place. Download MP3

• BBC coverage
• In pictures: Kabul UN attacks
• Audio Podcast: Inside the Taliban

Mounting trouble in Afghanistan

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Anchor Marco Werman speaks with the BBC’s Chris Morris in Kabul about the mounting challenges posed by escalating violence and allegations of voting fraud in Afghanistan.

Ethnic rivalries shape Afghan vote

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Fresh violence has erupted in the Afghan capital, Kabul, on the eve of the country’s presidential election. Explosions and gunfire were heard as troops battled and killed three attackers who raided a bank close to the presidential compound. The World’s Jeb Sharp will have a pre-election update. Photo by Paula Bronstein/Getty Images. >>> View a graphic on Afghanistan’s ethnicities.

Health concerns for Afghanistan’s children

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Half of Afghanistan’s children are chronically malnourished, according to the World Health Organization. The BBC’s Hugh Sykes reports from a Kabul hospital.

Afghan election campaigning ends

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Today is the final day of campaigning in the run-up to Thursday’s elections in Afghanistan. Some 30 candidates are challenging President Hamid Karzai. Abdullah Abdullah (above), Karzai’s former foreign minister, is the leading contender to unseat the current president. Abdullah held a massive rally today in a Kabul stadium. (Photo by Paula Bronstein/Getty Images) >>> Afghans weigh in on the election and the candidates.

Afghanistan’s new national park

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For our Geo Quiz today we’re looking for the name of Afghanistan’s new national park. It’s nestled in the Hindu Kush mountain range of Central Afghanistan.

Geo answer

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It’s nestled high up in the Hindu Kush mountain range of Central Afghanistan. Jessica Weinstein — says getting to this national park from the capital Kabul was a long and winding journey.

A skateboarding park

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Bigflips, air and ollies figure in today’s Geo Quiz. In the world of skateboarding: to air means to jump or ollie, like off of something like a ramp. The sport’s only been around since the forties and fifties. The city we’re looking for in today’s quiz … in contrast …. dates back some 3,000 years. >>>Click here to watch a video

Geo answer

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The answer to today’s Geo Quiz is Kabul, Afghanistan. It’s home to Skateistan, a group building a new skateboarding center for boys and girls in the Afghan capital. The World’s Aaron Schachter checked it out.