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

Revisiting the Trial of Slobodan Milosevic

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In How We Got Here #51, we revisit the trial of Slobodan Milosevic with lawyer Judith Armatta, the author of the new book Twilight of Impunity. Armatta spent three years in the Hague monitoring the historic trial for the Washington-based Coalition for International Justice. Her book is both a detailed account of what transpired in the courtroom and an in-depth analysis of its meaning and implications for the burgeoning new world of international criminal justice.

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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

Kosovo independence ‘not illegal’

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Kosovo’s declaration of independence from Serbia in 2008 was not illegal under international law, top UN judges say. The International Court of Justice was ruling on Serbia’s claim that the secession violated its territorial integrity. The US and many EU countries support Kosovo’s independence; Russia is strongly opposed to it. Laura Lynch reports. Download MP3 (flickr image: freedryk)

• BBC coverage
• Q&A: Kosovo’s future
• Revisiting the Kosovo air war

Taliban touts strength, declines talks

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The Taliban has said it’s not interested in opening negotiations with NATO forces. The prospect of talks had been raised by senior U.S. and British forces. But in a statement, the Taliban said it’s winning the war, so there was no reason for them to negotiate. The World’s Jason Margolis has more.
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• Taliban attack on Nato base in Afghanistan is ‘repelled’
• Afghan troop map: US and Nato deployments

Revisiting the Kosovo Air War

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On this week’s episode a former Clinton Administration insider shares his recollections of U.S. policymaking during the Kosovo conflict. Greg Schulte witnessed and participated in some of the key decisions before, during, and after the U.S. bombing of Serbia in 1999.

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NATO causes more civilian deaths in Afghanistan

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At least 27 civilians died in a NATO air strike in southern Afghanistan, the Afghan cabinet says. NATO said it hit a suspected insurgent convoy, but ground forces later found “a number of individuals killed and wounded”, including women and children. Civilian deaths in strikes have caused widespread resentment in Afghanistan. Matthew Bell reports. Download MP3 (Photo: POOL/AFP/Getty Images)

• BBC coverage
• Foreign forces in Afghanistan
• Afghan civilians scared by US effort to stop roadside bombs

Coalition offensive against Taliban continues

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US, NATO and Afghan forces are now in the sixth day of their offensive against Taliban forces in Helmand Province. NATO officials say that militants battling coalition troops are running out of ammunition. An Afghan general said Taliban fighters were increasingly using civilians as “human shields.” We hear from The Washington Post’s Joshua Partlow in Kabul. Download MP3 Photo: POOL/AFP/Getty Images

• Latest BBC coverage
• The coalition offensive day-by day
• Inside the Taliban: Our four-part series

Germany’s top general quits over Afghanistan raid

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Germany’s top soldier has resigned over allegations of a cover-up related to a deadly NATO air strike in Afghanistan. The strike on Sep 4, ordered by a German commander, targeted two fuel tankers hijacked by Taliban militants. But dozens of civilians were also killed in the attack in the northern province of Kunduz. Gerry Hadden looks into the German role in Afghanistan. Download MP3

• BBC coverage
• The Taliban insurgency
• Inside the Taliban
• Katy Clark on what if the US loses in Afghanistan
• Jeb Sharp on the mission in Afghanistan

NATO investigates Afghan tanker attack

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Anchor Marco Werman speaks with the BBC’s Chris Morris in Afghanistan about an NATO attack against two fuel tankers hijacked by the Taliban. The attack led to blasts that killed several civilians, and NATO has opened an investigation.

Entire program – August 3, 2009

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Today on The World: NATO has a new commander and his top priority is Afghanistan; Also, what it’s like to be gay in Britain’s Muslim communities; And some Israelis turn to a new style of Judaism.

New leadership for NATO

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NATO has a new commander and he says Afghanistan is priority number one. The World’s Matthew Bell reports.

NATO summit next for President Obama (4:50)

President Obama’s first strut across the world stage is not over. As The World’s Gerry Hadden reports, tomorrow the American president attends a NATO summit where he is expected to get an earful about how the 60-year-old organization should move forward regarding Russia and Afghanistan.