Afghanistan War News Updates -- April 12, 2017

USA Today: U.S. troops may not be needed in Afghanistan by 2020, U.S. Afghan ambassador says

Afghanistan’s military should be able to carry on the fight against Taliban insurgents mostly without the help of U.S. and other foreign troops by 2020, Afghanistan’s ambassador to the United States said Tuesday.

“By 2020 our security forces will be able to have what they need to carry on the fight on their own for the most part,” Hamdullah Mohib told the USA TODAY editorial board.

“We’re not talking about creating a new military,” Mohib said. “What we’re talking about is adjusting what we already have.”

He said the forecast assumes there won't be any major changes in the security threat in Afghanistan. The Islamic State has made some inroads in the country, though is not considered a major threat.

Mohib said Afghan’s fledgling air force also is growing more self reliant.

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Afghanistan War News Updates -- April 12, 2017

Envoy: Afghan forces will probably be able to go it alone after 2020 -- Stars and Stripes
Afghan Security Reforms Falter, With Tough Fighting Ahead -- New York Times
IS Claims Suicide Bombing In Kabul, Five Dead -- RFE
Suicide explosion in Kabul kills at least 5 -- CNN
Suicide bomb attack in heart of Kabul kills five -- Al Jazeera
7 Taliban militants killed in Afghan Air Force strike in Laghman -- Khaama Press
Afghan Violence Leaves 13 Afghan, 1 US Soldiers Dead -- VOA
Taliban leader in charge of group of 80 insurgents arrested -- Khaama Press
U.S. Soldier's Death Highlights Threat Of ISIS In Afghanistan -- NPR
US cites progress against ISIS in Afghanistan -- News24
300 Marines To Deploy To Afghanistan -- NPR
200 US troops deployed in Helmand province of Afghanistan -- Khaama Press
Pakistan puts US on notice to ‘fix’ Afghanistan -- The National
Russia Opens New Front in U.S. Rivalry With Taliban Support -- Bloomberg
Why Russia might be working with its Cold War enemy, the Taliban -- L.A. Times
After Syria, the US And Russia Are Now Clashing Over Afghanistan -- Newsweek
Amid the violence and corruption of Kabul, some still hold onto hope -- Independent