News of Afghanistan #56

This edition is brought to you by the latest shipment of Alokozay Tea, from the World's Greatest Military Contractor (thanks haji-o-matic!). Let us see what is happening:

A quick summary of the day.

What is with all the "scare quotes"? Maybe they were meant to be direct quotes, but if so, the effect is quite clumsy.

Leave? Most say "no thanks". I am sure Pakistan is none too happy.

If I remember this man correctly, the motives to kill him were legion. But he was sitting in the Meshrano Jirga, and this isn't something that should be tolerated - corrupt past or not.

photo: UNHCR/V.Tan

Iran shows something by doing this - beyond the obvious lack of humanitarian action. I think this reveals how much strain the Iranian economy is under. Even Pakistan isn't acting so drastically, and they have twice as many people... see also.

Well, we'll just see what happens. At least they didn't try to punch each other.

Indian biogas digester toilet training camp...begin!

Yea, microfinance!

President Karzai, facing efforts by senior members of his government to curb his powers, said on Wednesday he was working on a cabinet reshuffle. First Vice President Ahmad Zia Masood and several current and former cabinet members have formed a political party to push for the creation of a new post of prime minister, who would take some of the powers currently held by Karzai. Some pro-Karzai MPs have said the dissidents should leave the government if they want to oppose the president. (Reuters)

Hey, hey, hey do the Karzai Shuffle.

An interview with someone I'd love to kick in the butt. However, he is fairly blunt about some things in a way that surprises me.

Can not! Can too! Can not! Can too! Ugh.

Involving India is a good thing. I liked hearing this.

And in sports - the results from Spin Zar Stadium...