41: From conflict to cold camp
41: From conflict to cold camp
by Nang Durrani, Kabul
An estimated 40,000 people who have fled their homes because of violence in their provinces now find themselves displaced and living in camps in Kabul. For the time being at least they are safely away from the fighting between Taliban and government forces. But not from the cold. read more
by Afghanistan Today writers, Kabul
In 2012 Sari Shafia, a 23-year-old woman from Khost Province, was hailed a heroine by local authorities after she took up a rifle and defended the family home from armed assailants. Her father and another relative died and a third was injured in the insurgent attack, which was carried out in retaliation for her brother‘s trucking work for ISAF. But the defence of the home was a short-lived victory: Months later, Shafia and her family are still in hiding, unable to return for fear of reprisals. read more
by AT editors, Berlin
For Afghanistan Today, 2012 produced plenty of great writing and photography in some challenging and occasionally menacing work conditions. We survived some eventful travels and made a lot of new friends, and expect 2013 to be even more demanding and fruitful. AT editors look back at a roller coaster year of workshop and website activity. read more
by Naqib Ahmad Atal, Nangarhar Province
Amourous men randomly dialling phone numbers to meet girls is nothing new. Now though, people are exploiting the possibilities for deception: a young man with a high-octave voice in Jalalabad has been scamming by phone, pretending he is a girl, and luring suitors into fruitless rendezvous and squeezing them for a small fortune. But while Jawad is cleaning up, he'll have to watch his back. read more
by Naqib Ahmad Atal, Dubai
With declared capital flight from Afghanistan in 2011 estimated at 4.6 billion US dollars, Central Bank Governor Noorullah Delawari said in March he had imposed a limit of 20,000 dollars per passenger leaving by air. Larger sums must go by bank wire transfer. But in the key destination of Dubai, the torrent of Afghan wealth seems undiminished. read more
by Abdul Rahim Mohmand, Kabul
The absence of credible law enforcement in many areas, either because of Taliban control there or plain ineffectiveness of state law structures, is well documented. But some cases throw this situation into stark relief. The following story concerns one of thousands of similar glaring injustices that plague modern Afghan society and accelerate the erosion of public faith in state institutions. All names have been changed. read more
by Naqib Ahmad Atal, Jalalabad
Ten years ago on this day, the United States launched Operation Enduring Freedom to oust the Taliban and pursue Osama bin Laden and al-Qaida following the attacks of September 11. Afghanistan Today contributor Naqib Ahmad Atal from Nangarhar recalls this fateful date, and the unlikely consequences it had for his family and village. read more
by Ahmad Nawid, Kunduz