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QALAT, Afghanistan — US troops reduced to advisory role as Taliban begins its annual onslaught. Under very limited circumstances Afghan units may request assistance from American attack or medevac helicopters, otherwise, the Afghan forces are on their own this summer.

- Ben Brody

The risky craft of being an artist in Afghanistan

KABUL — While much of society here has continued to suffer since the 2001 US-led invasion, artists have undoubtedly benefited from an era that has witnessed significant gains in freedom of expression. But with US and NATO forces set to withdraw, many artists now wonder if those freedoms are sustainable. Already things are taking a turn for worse.

- Chris Sands

Suicide attacks, once uncommon, on the rise in Afghanistan

KABUL, Afghanistan — While there are dozens of ways to be killed and injured by the war in Afghanistan, suicide bombings breed a unique kind of paranoia, fear and soul-searching that make them a hugely potent weapon. Unheard of during the mujahideen's struggle against the Soviet Union in the 1980s, they are routine today. There have been at least four such attacks in Kabul alone in the last three months. More attempts have been foiled.

- Chris Sands

Afghanistan: Has Karzai gone off the deep end?

President Hamid Karzai certainly knows how to ruin a party. As newly anointed Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel made his maiden voyage to Kabul last week, the Afghan president all but accused the United States of being in cahoots with the Taliban.

- Jean MacKenzie

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A bad year for Afghanistan gets worse

- Peter Gelling

More on The Handover

The Complete Series

How the Taliban wins over Afghans without firing a shot

Afghanistan's post-NATO era takes shape

Afghanistan: It's worse in the winter

Welcome to Kabul: Here are some brass knuckles

2012 was a tough year for Afghanistan. 2013 will be tougher

Afghans brace for a violent future

North Waziristan: The problem no one talks about

Afghanistan: A thriving civil society is worried

For ex-Taliban, it's peace or death

Afghanistan: Missing George W. Bush

Taliban fear grips once peaceful province

Afghanistan: An old US ally says a new conflict looms

Losing Afghanistan: Clerics now openly support Taliban

Afghan surge: Obama’s great gamble ends

Afghanistan: Violence raises fears of civil war