Afghanistan’s government on Wednesday called for a media blackout on reporting violence as fresh attacks threatened disruptions a day ahead of pivotal presidential elections. The media was asked to refrain from covering any attacks on election day in an effort to “ensure the wide participation of the Afghan people.” This week, the Taliban said it plans to disrupt the elections with continued attacks and threatened to kill Afghans who vote.
Tag Archives: afghan
Violence, graft overshadow Afghan elections
Welcome to democracy, Afghan style. An incumbent president and 38 challengers, including two women, are vying for the votes of 17 million registered Afghans against a backdrop of war, graft, poverty and illiteracy. More than 3,000 donkeys, 3,000 cars and three helicopters will traverse harsh terrain to carry voting materials to remote polling stations
Maverick pro-Taliban militant offers to help U.S. forces
An Afghan militant group is willing to "help" U.S. and coalition forces, if they prepare to leave Afghanistan, the group’s leader said in a statement given to CNN on Monday
Karzai, rivals debate as Afghan elections near
Afghan President Hamid Karzai, heavily criticized last month for skipping a candidates’ debate, met two of his political rivals in a nationally televised debate Sunday night, just four days ahead of the war-torn country’s presidential elections.
Ex-homeless woman leaves $150,000 to Hebrew University
A Jewish Holocaust survivor who later lived on the streets of New York City has left half of her $300,000 estate to Hebrew University, the school said Monday. The new plan is the first time the U.S. military has been directly involved in anti-narcotics efforts in Afghanistan, and commanders say it is an essential part of the overall plan to stabilize the country, which is under heavy Taliban influence.
After Mehsud: Who Will Be Pakistan’s Next Terror Chief?
Terrorist groups often boast about their unity of purpose, the single-minded pursuit of their apocalyptic goals.
Fight for future of Afghanistan’s culture plays out on TV
Hundreds of excited music fans wait in line on the lookout for their favorite singers on a hit television show. Instead of spending the time outside a New York venue or Hollywood soundstage though, these fans braved barbed wire and gun-toting guards in Kabul to attend Afghanistan’s premier pop music event: the finals of “Afghan Star,” the embattled country’s answer to “American Idol.” In line, bright mod outfits have replaced Kabul’s normally conservative dress code
U.S. Spurned Iran Offers to Turn Over Bin Laden’s Son
It may have been a case of hitting the target but missing the opportunity. Reports last week said Saad bin Laden, Osama bin Laden’s fourth son and a mid-ranking al-Qaeda operative, was killed by a recent CIA Predator strike
Request for more troops in Afghanistan likely, source says
The top U.S. commander in Afghanistan is expected to ask the Obama administration for additional troops and equipment, according to a senior U.S. military official familiar with Gen
Lowering Expectations for the War in Afghanistan
Time was kind to the U.S. over its invasion of Iraq: the Bush Administration was able to waste four years pursuing misguided strategies there before finally getting things right last year and turning the situation around. But the new U.S