Update for Wednesday, August 24, 2016

The American University in Kabul is under attack, with possibly hundreds of students and faculty trapped inside. I will have more information as it becomes available, as well as an update on other events in Afghanistan and Iraq.

Latest information from American University, as of 2:00 ET, at least two people are dead and 5 injured have been transported to the Emergency Hospital. Earlier reports gave the number injured as 14. There are conflicting reports about the nature of the attack, number of attackers, and the current status of the situation. I won't add to the confusion by linking to these until the fog clears.

Meanwhile, fighting continues in Kunduz, but latest reports are that Taliban have been pushed back. However, top officials touring the conflict zone were ambushed, but returned safely to the city.

Taliban attack checkpoints in Ghazni with 2 police reported dead and 11 militants. As usual, no corroboration of reported casualty totals.

In Iraq, there have been previous claims that Qayarrah has been recaptured but now we have a new one, which seems more fulsome and credible.

Ten civilians reported killed by coalition air strike in Mosul, along with IS members.

Hundreds of thousands of weapons distributed by U.S. in Iraq and Afghanistan are unaccounted for and may be in the hands of enemy forces.

Kurdish president Barzani has visited Turkey and apparently furthered rapprochement between the governments. Remember that as Turkey continues its air campaign against PKK positions in Kurdistan, the KRG does not object.