Taliban insurgents have cut the main highway that links the capital with northern Afghanistan and neighboring countries for the past three days, according to Afghan officials in the area. – New York Times
In Afghanistan’s long war, Mr. Basir’s determination to kill one of his children was not unique, but rather just another sign of how long the violence has dragged on, and of how it has permeated the deepest levels of society and poisoned the closest of relationships. – New York Times
A large demonstration against the Afghan government’s proposed route of an electric transmission line brought Kabul to a standstill on Monday, with security forces stacking shipping containers to block all paths to the city center and presidential palace. – New York Times
Afghan and international forces expect a major battle to begin soon for control of southern Helmand province, largely overrun in recent months by the Taliban. The question is, who will strike first. – Stars and Stripes
Afghanistan is expected to finalize a peace deal with a notorious militant group in the coming days, in what could be a template for ending the 15-year war with the Taliban, a government official and a representative of the militant group said Saturday. – Associated Press
Shawn Snow writes: If the U.S. truly wishes to assist its partner in Afghanistan, where it has devoted blood and treasure for 15 years, it must end the debate over semantics and remove lawyers from the war room. It's time to take the handcuffs off American airpower. – Military Times