Kabul's New Patron?
13 April 2010
Christian Le Miere, Kabul's New Patron? The Growing Afghan-Chinese Relationship, Foreign Affairs, 13 April 2010
EXCERPT: "When Afghan President Hamid Karzai visited China last month, his hosts pulled out all the stops. During his three days in Beijing, Karzai met not only with Chinese President Hu Jintao but also with Premier Wen Jiabao and the Politburo Standing Committee member Wu Bangguo. Karzai signed agreements with Chinese...
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Afghan Air Force Struggles to Take Off
13 April 2010
, The Associated Press, 12 April 2010
EXCERPT: "An Afghan air force sounds like a breathtaking ambition in a country still struggling to put together an army on the ground. But the corps is gradually resurrecting itself from wartime destruction and recalling its veteran pilots to duty. Once fully operational, the Afghan National Army Air Corps will be a crucial force in a war that depends heavily...
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Afghan Poll Boss Says Vote Won't Be Fraud-Free
13 April 2010
, AFP, 13 April 2010
EXCERPT: "Parliamentary elections in Afghanistan will not be completely fraud-free but efforts are being made to crack down on vote-rigging, the acting head of the country's main electoral body said. Zekria Barakzai, the deputy chief electoral officer at the Independent Election Commission (IEC), said 'a full package of anti-fraud measures' would be...
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Afghan Officials Want to Direct More Foreign Aid
13 April 2010
, The Associated Press, 13 April 2010
EXCERPT: "Tired of their back-seat role, Afghan government officials are increasingly standing up to Washington and other foreign capitals ? displaying a new streak of independence also seen in President Hamid Karzai's push-back against what he considers foreign interference. The Obama administration is trying to dampen the storm generated this...
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