Stories about Afghanistan from October, 2008
Afghanistan: Nuristan, in Pictures
We've had enough doom and gloom in Afghanistan for a while, yes? So here's a pretty picture of Aranas village in Waygal district of Nuristan.
Afghanistan: President's Family Accused of Abuse of Power
Azar Balkhi reports that provincial opposition activist has accused Karzai’s family for illegal seizure of 20,000 acres of land in Kandahar province, Afghanistan.
Afghanistan: Sayed Pervez Kambakhsh's Sentence Commuted to 20 Years
At least it's not death: An Afghan appeals court overturned a death sentence Tuesday for a journalism student accused of blasphemy for asking questions in class about women's rights under Islam. But the judges still sentenced him to 20 years in prison. The case against 24-year-old Parwez Kambakhsh, whose brother...
Afghanistan: Portrait of a Female Politician
Azar Balkhi writes about Fawiza Koofi, a modern thinker, poet and the deputy of the Afghanistan Parliament, a symbol of women in a men-dominated society.
Afghanistan: In the Kingdom of Karzai
Azar Balkhi reports that Jamil Karzai a member of parliament and cousin of Hamid Karzai, the President of Afghanistan, had allegedly killed five civilian while driving in Kabul.
Afghanistan: The Taliban are hard, we are soft
The Strategist contemplates on what makes the Afghan war unwinnable, and sees the reason in differences between the insurgents and Westerns soldiers.
Afghanistan: “Bad Taliban, good Taliban”
Afghan blogger and journalist, Baktash Siawash, writes [fa] that UK wants to make a deal with Taliban but the USA considers to negotiate with “good Taliban” and fight with “bad ones”.
Afghanistan: Hitch on heroin
Joshua Foust examines some of the issues surrounding opium eradication in Afghanistan, and argues that focusing on opium itself misses the point.
Russia: Remembering Anna Politkovskaya
Oct. 7 marks two years since the assassination of journalist Anna Politkovskaya. No one has been jailed so far, but three men are expected to go to trial soon for their suspected involvement in the crime. Below is a selection of today's commemorative posts from the Russophone blogosphere.
Afghanistan: Peace, and Trash
Joshua Foust notes the goings on in the Afghanistan blogosphere: ruminations on trash, reconciliation, and, of course, the messy problems posed by the Taliban. That is, if you can define "Taliban."
Afghanistan: A reason the LA Times is terrible
Joshua Foust notes just how terrible American media coverage of Afghanistan can be.
Afghanistan: Policewoman executed by Taliban
Azar Balkhi reports that Taliban militants have shot dead high rank female police officer in the volatile southern Afghanistan province of Kandahar.
Afghanistan: UN Security Council Report
SunLeaf writes that the newly released UN Security Council report on Afghanistan is highlighting a number of issues including the extension of the ISAF mission and concerns over the issue of civilian casualties.
Afghanistan: Secret dealings with the Taliban
Strategist says that the Afghan government, Western military forces and Taliban senior leaders have been holding secret peace negotiations.