By GRAEME SMITH, Toronto Globe and Mail
Early election unlikely in Aghanistan, despite Karzai's push
Afghanistan's elections are expected to go ahead as scheduled in August, sources say, despite a presidential order that shocked many observers by casting doubt over the timing of the vote.
Hamid Karzai kicked up a political storm over the weekend by instructing the Afghan Independent Election Commission to follow constitutional rules that would require a vote in March or April.
Guantanamo may close, but another prison still casts a shadow
The word "Guantanamo" serves as shorthand among some Afghans for all the reasons they hate foreign troops, but the impending closing of the notorious prison has gotten surprisingly little attention in this country.
Guantanamo may close, but another prison still casts a shadow
The word "Guantanamo" serves as shorthand among some Afghans for all the reasons they hate foreign troops, but the impending closing of the notorious prison has gotten surprisingly little attention in this country.
New U.S. troops in Afghanistan allow Canadians to pull back
The coming influx of American troops will allow Canada to focus on protecting the gateways to Kandahar city, a new senior commander says, leaving U.S. forces to disrupt the insurgency in the dangerous outlying districts.
Taliban specifically targeting civilians in attacks
KABUL, Afghanistan -- Daily attacks against civilian targets on riseInsurgents show growing tendency to spread fear by singling out victims for atrocities
Cracking them up in Kandahar
KANDAHAR, Afghanistan -- The most famous comedian in Kandahar, Ahmadullah Mujajo, stares at a flickering light bulb. Then he grabs a man by the neck and shakes him furiously, brandishing a shotgun.
Afghanistan's readiness to vote questioned
KABUL, Afghanistan -- A year before Afghanistan's scheduled elections, watchdogs are already expressing worry about how growing insecurity, government interference, and popular disaffection may distort the results.The country's election commission even raised the possibility this month of delaying the vote if security conditions remain grim.
To achieve stability, Kabul must first fly the nest
A new word has surfaced with increasing frequency in speeches by Afghan leaders and international officials in recent months as the Taliban insurgency gains momentum and demands grow for a change in direction that will stabilize the country.
Prophet's cloak can't shelter Kandahar from terror
KANDAHAR, Afghanistan -- At the heart of Kandahar's dirty labyrinth of streets stands a clean square and a lavishly decorated building housing a religious artifact that's key to understanding why this city has suffered the worst of the insurgency.
