Karzai Wants to Make a Deal
Since apparently Karzai tried to make a deal with the Taliban, a whole bunch of Chevys that are just about as practical.
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CODEL’s Longform Mother’s Day Card for Afghan Women
If it weren’t for congressional delegations (CODELs) and all the good they do, we’d never know that, according to this piece in Time, “Afghanistan’s Success Will Be Measured By Women’s Progress.” Which...
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Afghan Elections Explained, in GIFs and in Song
If you’re the kind of person who wants to love Foreign Policy but can’t get past the popups…or the content…or the editorial direction it’s taken…this post is for you. If you worry more about Mynamar...
View Article5 Ways the Afghan Election Should End (But Won’t)
As I’m drafting this, journalists are waiting on a joint Kerry/Abdullah/Ghani press conference. All goes as planned, the latest example of American non-intervention in a totes transparent process will...
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Democracy, Kerry Style
I admit I went full Jim Jones back when the unity government deal was first announced. In my youth those many weeks ago, I drank deeply and early at the fount of Kerry Will Fix All the Things. The...
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5 Questions for Ghani’s First 100 Days
Since there was an inauguration in Afghanistan today, figured I’d take a break from the usual Monday posting. But since I can’t seem to do anything but some variation on a listicle this early in the...
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The Offer Ghani Can’t Refuse
After the kind of delay that only makes sense if you’re George Lucas and you haven’t figured out a way to bring Jar Jar back into Episode VII so you keep delaying the next movie hoping that maybe by...
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The President’s Pakistan Pivot
“The Cadets Go to Abbottabad” should be the reboot of the Police Academy franchise Steve Guttenberg’s been praying for. Instead it’s the story of six Afghan army officer trainees heading from Kabul to...
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DoS Denied Afghan Husband’s Visa: SCOTUS Wants to Know Why
Those who’ve worked/fought/bled in Afghanistan know that foreign forces both here and in Iraq owe a debt of undying gratitude to the interpreters who made life a lot easier for coalition troops. Many...
View ArticleCarter Cagey On Kandahar
During Ash Carter’s “Everything Is Super Fine In Afghanistan” tour, he made a stop at Kandahar Airfield, which might figure in to his suggestions for the Commander in Chief about the pace of the US...
View ArticleAbdullah’s Talking About the Talks
Sharp dressed man and Afghanistan’s CEO Dr. Abdullah Abdullah told his cabinet that peace talks with the Taliban would be happening soon. Speaking during the cabinet meeting on Monday Dr. Abdullah...
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Mujahideen Part Deux: The Wrath Of Ismail Khan
A long time ago, in a reality far, far away, there were the Commies. The Commies were bad, and if you didn’t like the Commies, that meant you were good. Until you turned out to be bad. Then you were...
View ArticleSuper Scary Taliban Takeover Plans
Indeed, the Taliban is expected to gain more territory and power this year. ― Afghanistan: Five Tasks for Ghani’s Crucial U.S. Visit | The Diplomat
View ArticleCamp Afghanistan? Closed This Summer, Congress Pissed
“Congress is also subject to limitations getting in there now, as well,” Lynch said, referring to Afghanistan. “So we’re doing less oversight, because of the limitations of assets there, we’re told. So...
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Ashraf Ghani and the Americans
It’s been years since he last set foot in the land that once gave him sanctuary. He’s a different man than he was then, and the gray that used to dust his temples has grown, marking the hard years in...
View ArticleNATO Ready To See Other Presidents?
If you’re the commander of all NATO and US forces in Afghanistan trying to hold a discreet meeting with a former warlord who’s publicly expressed his opposition to the government your country’s...
View ArticleShotgun Diplomacy: Why It’s So Hard To Put the “U” In NUG
As my hands fumble for the next words, my eyes are blurring, filled with the sorrow of times past. Of a better time, a better America, where people knew their place. When we understood that some people...
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Oh Dear God, Let This Be Ironic
Because if it’s not some kind of ironic statement about how rough your life really isn’t, then this may be the douchebaggiest tweet ever tweeted by the douchebaggiest resident of Douchebagistan. But...
View ArticleKabul Gets Pak Aid Because If You Can’t Bomb ‘Em, Buy ‘Em
Looks like the Pakistanis are getting into the Afghan “infrastructure development” business. And I’m putting that in “quotes” because if Islamabad’s involved in “development” in Afghanistan, it’s going...
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Arg Plans Eid “Ren Fest,” Invites Taliban
In yet another sign that the Kabul government is willing to try anything to get a peace deal, sources close to the presidential palace have told SIK that there are plans for a “Renaissance Festival” as...
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