“I think within a year or so, perhaps, if 9/11 had not happened, in Afghanistan would have been a very broad-based general uprising against the Taliban.” IfsThinkingYearsHas BeensHappenedBroadsAfghanistanTalibanUprising Author:Ahmed Rashid
“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
“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
“Some Pakistanis fought for the Taliban. Pakistani extremist groups provided infrastructural support to Al Qaeda. There was a coming and going of Al Qaeda militants and leaders between Afghanistan and Pakistan for several years. All that has really happened is that Al Qaeda has escaped from Afghanistan come into Pakistan, got in touch with their contacts and friends in these extremist groups, which then provided them with safe houses, cars, and not just in the border areas but also in the cities. Rooting out Al Qaeda in Pakistan now is where the main battle is being fought.” YearsHouseCitiesLeaderSupportHappenedGroupsCarBattleSafeAreasContactBordersAlsAfghanistanPakistanExtremistAl QaedaTalibanExtremist Groups Author:Ahmed Rashid
