Afghanistan Archives

Economics

The Staggering Costs of Kickbacks, Bribery, and Theft in the Military

The structure of the military means that when people high up in the chain of command aren’t held responsible for the crimes they commit, that message will quickly ripple down the ranks.

Lauren Kirchner

News in Brief

Auditor Says Scammer Sold USAID $500/Gallon Gas

And a four-figure temperature control device for $220,000.

Marc Herman

News in Brief

When War Records Go Missing

Army Secretary John McHugh confirms to members of Congress that commanders in Iraq and Afghanistan failed to keep required field records: “Steps are being taken to make sure this doesn’t happen again.”

Peter Sleeth

Social Justice

The Merry Pranksters Who Hacked the Afghan War

It was a dark time in a long, drawn-out war. Afghanistan was festering with resentment. The Pentagon brass were desperate. It was the kind of last-ditch moment when authorities start throwing an era's weirdest ideas at its most hopeless bureaucratic mistakes.

Brian Calvert

Social Justice

Multiple Brain Injuries and Concussions Linked to More Suicidal Thoughts

The increase in suicide among military members is partially driven by a rise in psychiatric illnesses, according to a new study.

Andrew Seaman

News in Brief

Is America’s ‘Strategic Pivot’ Towards China Premature?

In the cover story of our inaugural issue back in April, we took note of the Obama administration’s…

John Gravois

Environment

U.S. Planting Seeds of Peace in Afghanistan

U.S. soldiers work to undo some of the damage done to Afghanistan's agricultural communities from decades of war.

Maura R. O'Connor

Economics

PBS to Show ‘Where Soldiers Come From’

A PBS documentary follows a group of friends before, during, and after their time in Afghanistan.

Tom Jacobs

Social Justice

Ultimate Weapon: Knowing a War Zone’s Culture

The U.S. military is paying more attention to the culture of the places where it fights, putting a new weapon in its arsenal, according to both soldiers and academics.

Emily Badger

News in Brief

No Way Out: Exiting Afghanistan and Iraq

It’s hard to find an exit when you don’t know what leaving means, as the U.S. has found in winding down its on-the-ground military involvements in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Jeff Shear