“Despite all the dire predictions made in 2001, the Afghans have given the international community, its aid workers and soldiers a large window of opportunity to repair the damage done by 25 years of war. That window, which has stayed open for nearly five years, with amazing good will from the Afghans, is threatening to close unless the world wakes up and deals with the crisis.” WorldYearsMadeWarDoneOpportunityGivenCommunityDealsFiveWindowWake UpCrisisWorkersSoldierInternationalAidsDespiteDamageFive YearsPredictionsThreateningGood WillInternational CommunityWindow Of Opportunity 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
“There is no way the Americans are going to be able to carry out a full scale war against Iraq and at the same time maintain the same kind of pressure on the Al Qaeda network in countries as diverse as Indonesia, Philippines, and Pakistan, as well as in Europe.” WayWellsKindWarCountryAbleEuropePressureIraqScalesAlsDiversePakistanIndonesiaAl QaedaPhilippines Author:Ahmed Rashid
“The West would be well advised to change its approach towards failing states. At present, no major power can find the correct ways and means - and the numbers of failing states are increasing. This year we watched the collapse of Mali, a consequence of the Libyan civil war. The south of Libya and Mali, and Niger too, are well on the way to becoming a no-man's land. After 9/11, George W. Bush and Tony Blair made the promise that they would not tolerate failed states because they could become a haven for terrorists. And today? The number increases.” MeanWarTodayFailingPromiseConsequenceTerroristCivil WarTolerate Author:Ahmed Rashid
