Bethany Matta

Attacks come as rise of independent media in Afghanistan emerged as one of country's biggest achievements

International troops are preparing to leave Afghanistan next year

Journey is expensive and deadly, with asylum seekers traveling secretly in unsafe boats

Militants' June assault lasted 12 hours and targeted people for partying, drinking alcohol and other un-Islamic activities

Unreliable electricity, lack of cold storage makes traders economically dependent

Real estate market is flush with huge homes for rent or sale; many people have emptied bank accounts, taken their money abroad

In Afghanistan, women's lack of rights is the rule of law

Kandahar officials say insurgents have chosen to fight fewer combat battles. Instead, they favor suicide attacks, using children

Women say compared to their male counterparts, they face greater risks

In effort to counter growing insurgency, two programs in Kunduz have recruited local militias to oppose Taliban militants