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December 9, 2012 For the last decade, NATO and the international community have pumped billions of dollars into construction projects in Afghanistan. Yet with the drawdown of troops also comes a drawdown in the construction of bases and big infrastructure projects — and that's taking a big bite out of the economy and the bottom line of Afghan contractors.

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December 4, 2012 Afghanistan's capital is notorious for rough, often unpaved streets and fetid sewage trenches. A massive construction project has snarled traffic, and frustrated residents and businesses.

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December 2, 2012 Reversing a decade-old trend, more Afghans are now leaving the country than are returning, as uncertainty grows over the scheduled withdrawal of NATO troops in 2014. For many Afghans, legal migration is out of reach, but that doesn't keep them from sneaking out of their homeland.

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November 28, 2012 The women's soccer team in Afghanistan isn't an international powerhouse. But their mere existence is a triumph and points to the growing number of Afghan women playing sports. And they're getting a little help from an American soccer star.

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November 14, 2012 For the first time in eight years of doing surveys of Afghans, the Asia Foundations reports that more than half say the country is headed in the right direction. But some respondents might have been saying what they thought pollsters wanted to hear.

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November 12, 2012 U.S. and NATO forces will still be around for about two more years. But some Afghans fear a return of the Taliban, a civil war or economic collapse will follow a pullout by Western forces. Afghanistan also has a presidential election in 2014 that could reshape the country.

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November 12, 2012 Logar Province, a flashpoint just south of Kabul, shows the challenges facing U.S. forces as they try to prepare Afghan troops to take over security. In some areas, Afghan troops lead operations. In others, insurgents still pose a serious threat, and the U.S. troops still have the lead role.

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November 4, 2012 The U.S. military has long conducted anti-insurgent information campaigns in Afghanistan. But as the U.S. prepares to withdraw combat troops, it's now mentoring the Afghan Army in how to get out its message, particularly through local radio. But it's difficult to tell how it is being received.

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October 31, 2012 Afghanistan's own Hamid Rahimi takes a World Boxing crown in a rare bout held in Kabul.

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October 28, 2012 When you see a U.S. soldier standing next to an Afghan one, the difference is striking. U.S. troops are saddled down with much more high-tech equipment. But many say handing over better devices won't actually be helpful for soldiers who still need the fundamentals.

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October 27, 2012 Reporting from Afghanistan is challenging in more than just a security sense. While NATO sources tend to give out minimal information, local officials often give inaccurate initial accounts. Death counts and dates don't add up, as reporters try to get their stories straight.

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October 25, 2012 Insurgents continue to adapt and experiment with new tactics and approaches. The roadside bombs come in all shapes and sizes, and have grown more sophisticated and more lethal.

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October 11, 2012 Buzkashi Boys, a coming-of-age tale about two boys, captures Kabul's bustle and bleakness. It received a standing ovation at its recent premiere in the Afghan capital. The film doesn't have a Hollywood ending. Its director, Sam French, says he wanted the story to speak to the Afghan experience.

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