One would think outside of hurricanes in the Gulf of Mexico nothing is going on in the world. At least, if you live in the US that is what you might think from watching the likes of CNN, et. Al.
For example did you hear that during the last week Afghan President Hamid Karzai has asked the US-led coalition forces to stop unauthorized search operations and air raids?
Speaking at a press conference in Kabul last Tuesday, Karzai said the situation had changed in Afghanistan now and they did not want the foreign forces to carry out unauthorized search operations in the country. Karzai said: "I don't think there is a big need for military activity in Afghanistan any more." He also questioned the effectiveness of US air strikes.
Pajhwok Afghan News says the President suggested the international community should concentrate on eliminating terrorism and hit at places where terrorists had been trained, financed and armed. He had in mind US ally Pakistan.
Karzai said, "We do not think a serious terrorist challenge is emanating from Afghanistan."
It's the second time Karzai has publicly challenged the US-led coalition. In May, before a trip to Washington, he demanded more control over the 20,000 American troops here, but US President George W Bush said they would remain under American control.
Radio Free Afghanistan reports that Albert Stahill, Professor of Strategic Studies at the University of Zurich, believes a major reason for Karzai's call lies in the way the US military currently operates in Afghanistan. He refers in particular to the use of air strikes. "The problem is that during certain times... the Americans are doing bombardments with B52s [along the border with Pakistan] against different villages and ... these freefall bombs are destroying many villages. These are Pashtun, and of course Karzai is a Pashtun, so he has problems with his own people."
The good Professor adds, "With the ISAF [the International Security Assistance Force - under NATO leadership, ed.] there are no problems. There are no problems with the Provincial Reconstruction Teams. But there are certain problems with the coalition of the Americans, because they are hunting the so-called neo-Taliban, they are doing bombardments." "I would say that, in the long term, there should be a stop of these actions by the Americans ... If there is not such a move, they will have more problems in the future. Karzai will also have problems, because the result could be an angry population, mainly among the Pashtun, and that would create political problems for Karzai."
Professor Stahill also believes that US military policy - and what he describes as the 'very arrogant' attitude of US troops in comparison to the 'common sense' approach of other forces, such as the Germans - is actually helping the remnants of the Taliban by providing them with a tool to gain popular support. As such, this could be another reason why Mr Karzai would like to see a curtailment of US operations. In the professor's view, it's time for a change of direction. "There should be another strategy. Not a strategy of bombarding these villages, but a strategy to look for the hearts of the people, to [try to get them] behind the government and not against the government."
Meanwhile Afghani popular local singer, Qorban Nazar, and six of his companions were murdered by unknown gunmen in northern Afghanistan. "All seven have perished," said Jozjan police official Ibrahim Sharwal. Ethnic Turkmen singer Quarab Nazar was among the dead, he said. "It's the work of the Taliban, none of their equipment or money was taken," he said.
Afghan On Line press reports that several attacks on musicians in southern and eastern parts of the country, believed to be the work of the Taliban, have occurred since their overthrow by U.S.-led forces.
The Taliban, who ruled the country between 1996 and 2001, banned music and cinema under their harsh interpretation of Islam. Sources: Afghan News Network, Afghan Online Press, Radio Free Afghanistan, Pajhwok Afghan News, Seattle Times
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