Pashtun people

American Special Operations forces have been working to weaken the Taliban for several weeks in Kandahar as part of a pending operation in the southern Afghanistan city. The operation is being touted as a ‘make or break’ battle in the Afghan war.

Photographer Steve McCurry took one of the most iconic photos in National Geographic’s history. It’s the image of an Afghan girl with piercing green eyes. For McCurry, it’s all about those eyes.

Those hoping for a peaceful agreement to the long-standing conflict between the United States and Afghanistan on one side and the Taliban were disappointed Wednesday after Afghanistan’s President Hamid Karzai announced his government’s withdrawal from the talks.

As the United States begins to withdraw from Afghanistan after more than a decade of military involvement, China is beginning to increase its presence, both diplomatically and financially.

A 14-year-old Pakistani girl has been rallying efforts to improve educational opportunities for women. On Tuesday, her outspokenness nearly cost her her life, after a Taliban gunman shot her and gravely wounded her. Pakistanis across the country have reacted with outrage.