In Afghanistan, a car bomb in western Herat province killed at least eight people and injured over 50.

Kabul, March 15 (RHC)-- In Afghanistan, a car bomb in western Herat province killed at least eight people and injured over 50.   Most of the victims were civilians.  No group has claimed responsibility for the attack. 

Earlier this month, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken wrote to Afghan President Ashraf Ghani in an effort to accelerate an agreement ending the decades-long conflict ahead of a proposed meeting in Turkey. 

The New York Times is reporting the U.S. has around 3,500 troops in Afghanistan, about 1,000 more than previously disclosed.  Under a deal struck by the Trump administration, the U.S. is set to withdraw its military by May 1st, although it’s not yet clear if Biden will follow through with that timeline.