A suicide bombing deep inside the heart of an Afghan ministry in Kabul has raised concerns about the ability of the country’s new security forces to tackle the Taliban, the country’s former fundamentalist rulers who were ousted by the U.S. in 2001.

One person was killed and nine wounded on Thursday morning at the Ministry of Information and Culture in central Kabul in an explosion believed to have been set off by a man disguised as a police officer. Part of the Ministry wall was destroyed in the blast.

Seven years after the U.S. invaded Afghanistan to oust the Taliban, the country faces an increasingly uncertain future. While it has made great strides forward, political and religious killings are increasingly common in Kabul and southern Afghanistan. Pratap Chatterjee and Nobu Sakamoto return to the country as part of a CorpWatch/KPFA collaboration to take stock.

Thursday, May 15, 6am-10am PDT - Nine members of Iraq Veterans Against the War testify under oath before the Congressional Progressive Caucus about rules of engagement, the killing and abuse of civilians, the use of drop weapons, and the true consequences of the troop "surge". Hosted by Aimee Allison and Aaron Glantz. LiveBlog moderated by Rose Ketabchi.

KPFA will broadcast the Winter Soldier hearing on Capitol Hill, where nine members of Iraq Veterans Against the War will testify under oath before the Congressional Progressive Caucus about rules of engagement, the killing and abuse of civilians, the use of drop weapons, and the true consequences of the troop "surge". The coverage of the special hearing to the Congressional Progressive Caucus will be hosted by Aimee Allison and Aaron Glantz, part of the team that recently was nominated for a Project Censored award for KPFA's coverage of the Winter Soldier gathering in Silver Springs, Maryland this March. Hearing participants will include CPC Co-Chairs Congresswoman Lynn Woolsey, Barbara Lee, and Maxine Waters.

This broadcast is another program in KPFA/Pacifica's recent coverage of returning veterans' issues, including "Winter Soldier: Iraq and Afghanistan" and "The Crisis in Veterans' Healthcare."

In one e-mail made public during the trial, the head of the VA's mental health division, Dr. Ira Katz advised a media spokesperson not to tell reporters 1,000 veterans receiving care at the VA try to kill themselves every month. The e-mail beings with "Shh!..." Click here to read the email (pdf).

Tell us what you think, ask our hosts Aimee Allison and Aaron Glantz a question, or respond to what other people are posting! You can also send our on air hosts an email at vets@kpfa.org. Click here to post a comment, or read how others have responded. Some responses may be read during the April 22nd Crisis in Veterans' Health Care broadcast on KPFA.

KPFA asks listeners: "Support the Troops" has been a mantra of those supporting the Iraq War. What are your feelings about that slogan, and the intent behind it? Click here to post your response, or read how others have responded. Some responses may be read during the April 22nd Crisis in Veterans' Health Care broadcast on KPFA.

KPFA asks listeners: What responsibility does the VA have in the suicides of US servicemembers? What if the veterans don't seek help? Click here to post your response, or read how others have responded. Some responses may be read during the April 22nd Crisis in Veterans' Health Care broadcast on KPFA.

One of the leading voices of dissent inside the U.S. Army has been promoted. Sergeant Ronn Cantu -- who signed a petition to Congress demanding the U.S. withdraw from Iraq and gave interviews to the news shows "60 Minutes" and "Democracy Now!", as well as IPS detailing his opposition -- has seen his rank upgraded to staff sergeant.