But while the court said there was "a reasonable basis" to believe
crimes had occurred, judges said Afghanistan's current situation "make
the prospects for a successful investigation and prosecution extremely
limited".
They also cited the long period that had passed since the investigation
began in 2006, and said the court needed to "use its resources
prioritising activities that would have better chances to succeed".
What is the ICC?
The court investigates and brings to justice people responsible for
genocide, crimes against humanity and war crimes, intervening when
national authorities cannot or will not prosecute.
The ICC was established by a UN treaty in 2002, and has been ratified by 123 countries, including the UK.
However, several countries - including China, India, Russia and the US -
have refused to join, while some African countries say the court is
unfairly focused on Africans.
Why is the US opposed to it?
US administrations have long criticised the ICC, arguing its soldiers could become the subject of political lawsuits.
President Bill Clinton signed the treaty establishing the court before
the end of his term in office, but Congress never ratified it.
While the UN at one point gave US troops immunity - after the country
threatened to withdraw its troops from peacekeeping in Bosnia - this
exemption was cancelled in June 2004, two months after pictures of US
troops abusing Iraqi prisoners shocked the world.
Last September National Security Adviser John Bolton threatened the ICC
with sanctions if they pursued cases against US citizens.
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