Hundreds of women took to the streets of Kabul and other Afghan cities in a rare public protest against gender-based violence.

A rights advocacy groups says more than 50 countries cooperated with the CIA's secret program to detain and forcefully interrogate terrorist suspects following deadly attacks on the United States on September 11, 2001.

"White road" -- the words offered to travelers throughout much of Central Asia as they embark upon a journey. American Ivan Sigal, 43, was wished "white road" countless times between 1998 and 2005, as he and his camera crisscrossed the steppe. RFE/RL correspondents Richard Solash and Golnaz Esfandiari recently sat down with Sigal to discuss his new book, "White Road."

The Afghan government has come under intense international pressure after claims of widespread torture in its prisons. Could the allegations derail the transfer of detainees from NATO to Afghan control?

In a move to revive reconciliation efforts with the Taliban, the Afghan government has secured the release of a number of jailed members of the militant group. But analysts warn that the good-faith maneuver is a gamble that has little chance of paying off.

Washington says it is considering all options for Afghanistan in 2014, including a complete pullout of U.S. troops. The reaction in Kabul ranges from worry to disbelief.

An Afghan inmate stands accused of killing his wife during a prison visit in the northern Samangan Province. Police say the man, who is serving a 20-year sentence for murdering members of his wife's family, strangled his young bride because he believed she was being unfaithful.

Afghanistan's Finance Ministry has drafted a package of incentives aimed at luring much needed investment over the next two years. But are the proposals enough to soothe fears over security and widespread corruption?

Tea has long been Afghanistan's national beverage of choice. But Afghans are acquiring a growing thirst for heavily caffeinated energy drinks -- and controversy is brewing.