34: On Mr Karzai's Indian shopping list
34: On Mr Karzai's Indian shopping list
by Zafar Shah Rouyee, Kabul
May was the month President Hamid Karzai took Afghanistan’s military needs abroad to India. The trip coincided with a period of heightened tension with Islamabad over recent clashes at the border over the construction of Pakistani military installations encroaching on Afghan territory. Afghanistan Today looks at expectations of the trip and appraisals after its conclusion read more
34: On Mr Karzai's Indian shopping list
34: On Mr Karzai's Indian shopping list
by Zafar Shah Rouyee, Kabul
May was the month President Hamid Karzai took Afghanistan’s military needs abroad to India. The trip coincided with a period of heightened tension with Islamabad over recent clashes at the border over the construction of Pakistani military installations encroaching on Afghan territory. Afghanistan Today looks at expectations of the trip and appraisals after its conclusion read more
by Zafar Shah Rouyee, Kabul
Following the cancellation of a trip to Pakistan by a senior Afghan military delegation, relations between Afghanistan and Pakistan have once again taken a dive, with both sides blaming each other for underming the peace process and trading recriminations. Afghan media tried to make sense of the neighbours' latest diplomatic feud. read more
29: At the center of detention
29: At the center of detention
by Zafar Shah Rouyee, Kabul
The transfer to Afghan control of the Bagram Detention Center this week was hailed by many as a sign that the government is acting on key issues. But concerns are growing that thousands of detainees may now be released and potentially rejoin the insurgency. read more
by Rahmat Alizada, Kabul
Following President Karzai's orders that US Special Forces should withdraw from Maydan Wardak Province within two weeks, in response to allegations of human rights abuses committed against civilians, the Afghan media look at the consequences for Kabul, Karzai and security. read more
25: Taliban target Kabul, not negotiations
25: Taliban target Kabul, not negotiations
by Zafar Shah Rouyee, Kabul
Following two deadly assaults in a week on security institutions in Kabul, Afghan media ask how the Taliban could have penetrated the capital so easily. Most commentators agree that the Taliban show no signs of edging closer to negotiations with the current government. read more
24: Push and pull in Washington
24: Push and pull in Washington
by Zafar Shah Rouyee, Kabul
Talks between President Hamid Karzai and President Barack Obama in Washington this month covered a raft of sticking points in relations. These included immunity from prosecution for US soldiers in Afghanistan, the 2014 security handover, reconciliation with the Taliban, control of prisons and improved weaponry for Afghan forces. Mixed reactions are still issuing from the Afghan media. read more
22: Why did Pakistan release Taliban prisoners?
22: Why did Pakistan release Taliban prisoners?
by Mir Sediq Zaliq , Kabul
This month a delegation of the High Peace Council headed by Salahuddin Rabbani negotiated the release of several former Taliban leaders from Pakistani prisons. The Afghan media asks whether it is pure politicking by Pakistani officials or a concrete step in the peace process in Afghanistan. read more
21: Splitting brothers-in-arms
21: Splitting brothers-in-arms
by Mir Sediq Zaliq , Kabul
The deaths of more than 50 international troops from insider attacks by members of the Afghan security forces prompted international forces in mid-September to temporarily suspend low-level joint missions with the Afghan National Army (ANA) and the Afghan National Police (ANP). By the end of the month, many ISAF units had resumed joint operations. Afghanistan Today looks at some responses in military circles to the interruption. read more
by Mir Sediq Zaliq , Kabul
The Wolesi Jirga, Afghanistan’s House of Representatives, voted to relieve the defense minister and the minister of internal affairs of their duties last week, but President Karzai soon re-instated them in an acting role. The Afghan media has been abuzz with reactions. Mir Sediq Zaliq brings you a round-up of press and TV commentaries from Kabul. read more
16: Karzai clean-up call corrupted by timing
16: Karzai clean-up call corrupted by timing
by Mir Sediq Zaliq , Kabul
President Karzai recently demanded a new drive against corruption. But commentators fear the upcoming Tokyo conference, where the international community is expected to pledge over 4 billion dollars to Karzai’s government, may have influenced the president’s timing. read more
by Fawzia Ihsan and Zafar Shah Rouyee, Kabul
Afghan media have been dominated over the past week by reports about the Loya Jirga held in Kabul. Lasting from Wednesday to Saturday and involving more than 2,000 participants, the high-security gathering of political, religious, ethnic and other leaders was focussed on whether the country would enter into a declaration or treaty of a strategic partnership with the United States of America. read more
08: War and peace fell another giant
08: War and peace fell another giant
by Afghanistan Today writers, Kabul
One week after insurgents attacked key sites In Kabul, the September 20 suicide bomb killing of ex-president Burhanuddin Rabbani deals another violent shock to the country. The death of the chairman of the Afghan High Peace Council stoked fresh debate over how to deal with advocates of violence. But with no one claiming responsibility for the bombing, fingers are pointing in all directions. read more
by Mohammad Yasir Sharifi, Jalalabad
by Mohammad Yasir Sharifi, Jalalabad
by Mohammad Yasir Sharifi, Jalalabad
by Mohammad Yasir Sharifi, Jalalabad