Word: afghanization
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Indian accusations of a Pakistani hand in last week's Mumbai massacre couldn't have come at a worse time for the government in Islamabad: As a Taliban insurgency continues to simmer in the tribal areas along the Afghan border, clashes on Sunday between rival political groups in the southern metropolis of Karachi killed 13 people and wounded 70. The country is on the verge of economic collapse, its desperate pleas for financial assistance from China and Saudi Arabia last month having been rebuffed, forcing Pakistan to accept loans from the International Monetary Fund - but those loans come with stern...
...nominate the U.S. military serving in Iraq and Afghanistan. Against tremendous odds in Iraq, American forces have achieved a measure of success in bringing Iraqis a chance at freedom, and in the Afghan theater they lead the way in combatting the worst terrorists on the planet. For their sacrifice and patriotism, our troops on the front lines are worthy of Person of the Year...
Many observers regard Karzai's announcement as a piece of crude political theater in preparation for next fall's presidential election. Xenophobia has always proved popular in Afghan politics, so by appearing defiant Karzai can hope to gain more support, which has been steadily diminishing over frustration with his government's inability to provide security or development. In addition, Karzai can no longer be assured of unwavering U.S. support once the new Administration comes in. In 2004 Karzai benefited from U.S. backing in the country's first election, but President-elect Barack Obama has been clear about his dissatisfaction with...
...international relations at Kabul University, says Karzai's speech directly contradicts his platform of several months ago, when he called on lower-ranking Taliban to reconcile but ruled out negotiations with avowed enemies of Afghanistan, like Omar. Karzai's recent trips to both the U.S. and London, where the Afghan president was criticized for his inability to stabilize his country, crack down on corruption and stop the narcotics trade, may have precipitated the about-face, says Safi. "What he said [on Sunday] was not based on analysis but political survival. He knows he is losing support from Afghans...
...political analyst Dad Noorani believes that Karzai may have unwittingly undermined his already weak standing with his defiant statement. "When he said the international community has two choices, he clearly discredited himself," Noorani said. "All along he has been saying that he was elected by the Afghan people, and now he says if the international community does not accept his offer to Mullah Omar, then they can remove him or leave. How can the international community remove him if he is elected?" Safi agrees: "This just proves that the whole election was a farce, and that Karzai is President...