(Image source: U.S. Air Force ) BY STEVEN SPARKMAN An attack on a U.S. airbase in Afghanistan has reportedly claimed the lives of four American troops — just hours after the White House announced the beginning of peace talks with the Taliban.   The attack took place at Bagram Airfield , located outside Kabul.   “Fighters reportedly attacked the base with some kind of indirect fire, which could mean it was hit by rockets or mortar rounds.” (Via Al Jazeera )     The attack came just hours after the U.S. called on the Taliban to renounce violence and embrace the Afghan constitution.   It’s also the same day NATO officially handed security in the country over to the Afghan military, and more than a few analysts fear Afghan troops won’t be able to control the still-hostile Taliban. (Via BBC )   “A Taliban spokesman said that they would continue to attack U.S. targets in Afghanistan. As one senior U.S. official said, ‘This may be a significant development, but peace is not at hand.’” (Via ABC )   While the Taliban’s ability to wage an all-out war is greatly diminished, analysts say they can still carry out attacks on high-profile targets. Earlier Tuesday, the group claimed responsibility for a suicide bombing which killed three civilians in Kabul. It’s the fifth high-profile attack in the past month and a half. (Via CNN )   There are currently around 68,000 U.S. troops still in Afghanistan. That number is expected to fall to almost half that by the end of the year as the U.S. withdraws from the country.