Afghanistan War News Updates -- June 20, 2013

A general view of the Taliban Afghanistan Political Office in Doha, June 18, 2013.

Start Date for Afghan Peace Talks Unclear -- Voice of America

Top U.S. diplomats have been scrambling to salvage plans for peace talks with the Taliban after strong objections by the Afghan government.

State Department spokeswoman Jen Psaki said Secretary of State John Kerry has spoken twice with Afghan President Hamid Karzai to ease his concerns. Preliminary negotiations between the U.S. and the Taliban had been expected to start on Thursday in Doha, Qatar, but now the start date is unclear.

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More News On Afghanistan

Afghan President Karzai now willing to join Taliban peace talks -- FOX News
Afghans reject Taliban talks moves -- BBC
Hamid Karzai plunges Taliban peace talks into doubt -- The Telegraph
Afghan peace bid stumbles on Kabul-Taliban protocol row -- Reuters
Row over Taliban office status in Qatar frustrates talks -- BBC
At their office in Doha, Taliban make changes -- CNN
US welcomes Qatar decision to remove sign that cast new Taliban office as rival Afghan embassy -- Washington Post/AP
Kerry calls Karzai after Afghans bow out of talks with Taliban, U.S. -- McClatchy News
US welcomes Qatar decision on Taliban name change -- AP
Symbolism of Taliban flag and banner upends Afghan peace talks -- Christian Science Monitor
AP Exclusive: Taliban offer to free US soldier -- AP
Taliban offer to free US soldier in exchange for Guantanamo prisoners -- FOX News
Family of US soldier held by Taliban 'encouraged' by potential swap for Gitmo prisoners -- FOX News
ISAF Joint Command Operational Update, June 20th -- ISAF
US airstrike kill nine Taliban militants in Logar province -- Khaama Press
The military is literally throwing away $7 billion in Afghanistan -- The Week
US Scraps Tons Of Gear As It Leaves Afghanistan -- Defense News/AFP
Scrapping equipment key to Afghan drawdown -- Washington Post
Kyrgyzstan votes to end lease for U.S. airbase, key on the military supply route to Afghanistan -- New York Daily News
Auditor: Afghan workers getting stiffed out of US aid contract money -- Defcon Hill
The future of Afghanistan Talking to the Taliban -- The Economist
The Taliban’s Qatar Office: Are Prospects for Peace Already Doomed? -- Ishaan Tharoor, Time
Obama has given the Taliban the upper hand -- Con Coughlin, Gulf News