“There's a sense of desperation in Afghanistan because of the lack of funding and the fact that the U.S. only has a one-track military strategy. It doesn't have an economic and political game plan.” FactsPoliticalGamesPlansEconomicMilitaryStrategyTrackAfghanistanDesperationFundingGame PlanMilitary StrategyPolitical Games Author:Ahmed Rashid
“Pashtun nationalism is reasserting itself. Its political history spans several hundred years. The Pashtuns are angry at the Americans because, one, they're still being bombed, and two, they perceive that the Americans are backing the Tajik faction, which controls the army and security forces in Kabul.” YearsStillsTwoPoliticalForceSecurityHundredArmyAngryPerceiveNationalismFactionsKabulPolitical HistorySecurity ForcesPashtuns Author:Ahmed Rashid
“The Pashtuns feel discriminated against by the Americans because they supported the Taliban and the war is still going on in their region with continued U.S. bombing. They are also disgruntled at the overwhelming power of their ethnic rivals the Tajiks, who dominate the security forces in Kabul and control the key levers of political power. Although Karzai is a Pashtun also, many Pashtuns consider him a hostage to the Tajiks and Americans.” FeelsStillsWarPoliticalForceSecurityKeysRegionsOverwhelmingRivalsBombingTalibanPolitical PowerHostageLeversKabulDisgruntledSecurity ForcesPashtuns Author:Ahmed Rashid
“It would have been better if the United Nations had sent a team to Mali right away to mediate between the government and the rebels. But where is the political initiative? The Americans make their usual recommendations. They want to train the army for the fight with the rebels. US special forces are already in Mali.” PoliticalFightingTeamSpecialArmyTrainRebelInitiativeUnited Nations Author:Ahmed Rashid
