Accessibility links
Soraya Sarhaddi Nelson International correspondent Soraya Sarhaddi Nelson is based in Berlin and covers Central Europe for NPR. Her reports can be heard on NPR's award-winning programs including Morning Edition and All Things Considered.
Soraya Nelson
Stories By

Soraya Sarhaddi Nelson

Soraya Sarhaddi Nelson is a NPR foreign correspondent based in Cairo.

World

Military Deaths In Afghanistan Spike

Twice as many U.S. troops were killed this year than last in Afghanistan. Improvised-explosive devices were by far the biggest culprit, up to 7,300 attacks in the past year. Senior U.S. military officials expect things will be far worse next year, because the Taliban is getting stronger.

Military Deaths In Afghanistan Spike

Listen · 3:29
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/122125117/122125085" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript

World

8 Americans Dead In Taliban Suicide Bombing

Eight Americans were killed and a half dozen others were wounded in southeastern Afghanistan when a Taliban suicide bomber infiltrated their heavily fortified base Wednesday. It was the worst attack on Americans in Afghanistan since October. The U.S. government is not saying who the victims are, although it appears some, if not all of them, worked for the CIA.

8 Americans Dead In Taliban Suicide Bombing

Listen · 3:59
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/122093355/122093403" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript
Lack Of Justice Hampers Afghanistan's Stability

Akmal Sawi stands in front of his childhood apartment. To sell the property, he had to pay $3,000 in bribes. Tom Bullock/NPR hide caption

toggle caption
Tom Bullock/NPR

Obama's War: The Hurdles In Afghanistan

Lack Of Justice Hampers Afghanistan's Stability

Ask people in Afghanistan about justice and they'll very likely tell you there isn't any. The U.S. and its allies have pledged to rebuild Afghanistan, but the coalition has lagged in its efforts to develop the rule of law — and ignoring the lack of justice is proving a costly mistake.

Lack Of Justice Hampers Afghanistan's Stability

Listen · 8:55
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/121825564/121900318" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript
Rebuilding Afghanistan: Locals Want More Say

Mirwais Hospital in Kandahar is the only public hospital serving five provinces in southern Afghanistan. The hospital is in the middle of a war zone, but it continues to strive to provide better care with the development help of the International Committee of the Red Cross. Holly Pickett for NPR hide caption

toggle caption
Holly Pickett for NPR

Obama's War: The Hurdles In Afghanistan

Rebuilding Afghanistan: Locals Want More Say

Many Afghans complain that the United States and other donor countries are spending billions of dollars creating a hodgepodge of expensive and often shoddy relief and development projects in dangerous areas. A U.N. official says it's time to "let the kid drive," allowing Afghans to direct aid projects.

Rebuilding Afghanistan: Locals Want More Say

Listen · 8:55
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/121771885/121853093" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript
For U.S., Vast Challenge To Expand Afghan Forces

A massive effort is under way to train thousands of new troops in Afghanistan. Emilio Morenatti/AP hide caption

toggle caption
Emilio Morenatti/AP

Obama's War: The Hurdles In Afghanistan

For U.S., Vast Challenge To Expand Afghan Forces

President Obama's strategy for Afghanistan includes an ambitious plan to churn out thousands of new army and police officers to fight the Taliban and al-Qaida. But the rapid buildup could create many more problems than it solves.

For U.S., Vast Challenge To Expand Afghan Forces

Listen · 8:55
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/121559123/121746109" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript

World

Former Warlord On List Of Karzai Picks For Cabinet

Afghanistan President Hamid Karzai is announcing his new Cabinet on Sunday. Karzai's plan is to retain nearly half of his ministers, including a handful of those favored by the West. But some of his choices are controversial, including a former warlord.

Former Warlord On List Of Karzai Picks For Cabinet

Listen · 3:29
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/121625208/121625658" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript

World

McChrystal: U.S. Forces To Partner With Afghans

The top American commander in Afghanistan spent a second day briefing Afghan government officials about how President Obama's new strategy will play out there. Gen. Stanley McChrystal says his main goal is to pair the additional U.S. and NATO troops with Afghan soldiers and police officers. McChrystal says this will speed the handover of the country's security responsibilities to Afghans, which if President Obama has his way, would begin in 18 months.

McChrystal: U.S. Forces To Partner With Afghans

Listen · 2:00
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/121045043/121044960" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript

World

McChrystal Pitches U.S. Strategy In Afghanistan

Gen. Stanley McChrystal, the top U.S. commander in Afghanistan, spent Wednesday pitching President Obama's revised Afghan strategy to his troops and Afghan officials. McChrystal acknowledged it's going to take more than words to persuade Afghans that Obama's new strategy can bring peace.

McChrystal Pitches U.S. Strategy In Afghanistan

Listen · 4:17
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/121030898/121030737" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript
With Election Dispute Over, The Pressure Is On Karzai

Afghan President Hamid Karzai speaks during a Tuesday news conference at the Presidential Palace in Kabul. Majid Saeedi/Getty Images hide caption

toggle caption
Majid Saeedi/Getty Images

World

With Election Dispute Over, The Pressure Is On Karzai

In Afghanistan, a runoff election was called off this week, handing incumbent President Hamid Karzai a second term. Many Afghans are adamant that Karzai deliver change this time around, and his Western partners have plans to set benchmarks he will have to meet.

With Election Dispute Over, The Pressure Is On Karzai

Listen · 4:33
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/120132062/120132061" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript

World

Karzai Declared Afghan Election Winner

Afghanistan's election commission has cancelled plans for a presidential runoff vote, and declared Hamid Karzai the winner. The move followed a decision by Karzai's only remaining challenger, Abdullah Abdullah, to pull out of the race.

Karzai Declared Afghan Election Winner

Listen · 3:39
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/120026774/120026766" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript

World

Afghan Runoff Canceled, Karzai Declared Winner

The country's election commission announced Monday that Hamid Karzai will get another term as Afghan president. Karzai was supposed to face a runoff election on Saturday, but there was no point once it became clear he was the only candidate running. His challenger Abdullah Abdullah withdrew Sunday.

Afghan Runoff Canceled, Karzai Declared Winner

Listen · 3:30
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/120005793/120005792" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript

World

Challenger Pulls Out Of 2-Man Runoff In Afghanistan

Afghan President Hamid Karzai will apparently remain in power. Karzai's only challenger dropped out of the runoff Sunday. Former Foreign Minister Abdullah Abdullah cited concerns about a corrupt election process. Abdullah was widely expected to lose in the next round, and power sharing talks had failed.

Challenger Pulls Out Of 2-Man Runoff In Afghanistan

Listen · 3:44
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/120004247/120004235" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript

World

Taliban Targets U.N. Workers In Deadly Attack

Taliban militants stormed an international guest house in Kabul on Wednesday, killing at least 12 people, including half a dozen U.N. staffers. The Taliban said it was part of an offensive related to the Nov. 7 runoff vote for the presidency. The militants have repeatedly vowed to disrupt the poll.

Taliban Targets U.N. Workers In Deadly Attack

Listen · 3:57
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/114253851/114253841" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript

World

Ahead Of Afghan Runoff, Taliban Strikes

A Taliban attack on an international guesthouse in the heart of Kabul killed at least 12 people — including U.N. staff members. A spokesman for the Taliban said it was the first of many attacks they plan to carry out to disrupt next month's runoff election.

Ahead Of Afghan Runoff, Taliban Strikes

Listen · 0:58
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/114232178/114232166" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript

World

Violence Encroaches On Northern Afghanistan

Throughout the war in Afghanistan, most of the insurgent attacks have occurred in the eastern and southern parts of the country. But the northern part of the country has become unstable as well. Afghans' growing frustration with their government, and tense relations between the locals and Western forces, are helping the militants gain traction in the once-stable north.

Violence Encroaches On Northern Afghanistan

Listen · 7:16
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/114156743/114156729" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript