Latest Articles about South Asia
AFGHAN ELECTIONS INSPIRE BOTH FEAR AND OPTIMISM
Preparations are underway for the Afghan parliamentary elections on September 18, amid continuing violence and intimidation. At the same time, there is optimism as the U.S.-led coalition forces prepare for the security challenges that the elections present. The parliamentary balloting will complete the final stage... MORE
NATO EXPANDING ITS ROLE IN AFGHANISTAN
The NATO-led International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) has completed the deployment of additional forces in northern and western Afghanistan to support the holding of elections to the National Assembly and Provincial Councils. ISAF units are tasked to act as Election Support Forces in the run-up... MORE
“GODFATHER OF THE TALIBAN” ACCUSES ISLAMABAD OF AIDING TALIBAN INSURGENTS
As Afghanistan's September 18 parliamentary elections draw closer, there are new allegations about Pakistan's involvement in that country's domestic politics. Pakistan has also announced the closure of more than 30 refugee camps in Baluchistan and the North-West Frontier. Afghan and U.S. officials have spoken in... MORE
WOMEN REGISTER FOR AFGHAN PARLIAMENTARY ELECTION DESPITE STIFF SOCIAL RESISTANCE
Afghanistan's Joint Electoral Management Body (JEMB) has issued its final list of the 5,805 candidates registered for the parliamentary and local council elections that are to be held on September 18. However, there are an increasing number of questions about the screening process in general,... MORE
Pakistan under pressure following the London attacks
Pressure continues to pile on Pakistan over the visit to Pakistan by the London bombers months before the attacks on July 7. Immigration officials have established that two of the four suspected bombers (both of Pakistani origin) — Shahzad Tanweer and Mohammed Siddiq Khan —... MORE
AFGHANISTAN MOVES TO COMPLETE DISARMAMENT AHEAD OF ELECTIONS
On June 30, 2005, Afghanistan concluded the Disarmament Demobilization, and Reintegration (DDR) process. During the closing ceremony, President Hamid Karzai called the experience a success and symbolically accepted the last weapon from a commander (Afghan Tolo TV, July 9). Ariane Quentier, a spokesperson for the... MORE
TALIBAN ATTACKS GROW BOLDER
In the biggest operation since the U.S. invasion of Afghanistan in October 2001, last week the U.S.-led coalition and Afghan forces backed by U.S. helicopters and British jet fighters killed more than 170 insurgents and arrested another 56 men, some of whom wounded. Afghan and... MORE
AFGHAN GOVERNMENT BLAMES TERRORISTS FOR RECENT ATTACKS
Afghanistan is facing a bloody summer, after the June 1 bombing of a mosque in Kandahar and an attack in southern Afghanistan on June 8 that killed two American soldiers. Such incidents have raised many questions about the Taliban's current activities (see EDM, June 2).... MORE
TALIBAN FORCES NOW ATTACKING SUNNI LEADERS IN AFGHANISTAN
Yesterday, June 1, a suicide bomber struck the grand mosque in Kandahar City, southern Afghanistan, killing at least 27 people and injuring scores of others. Among the dead was the Kabul police commander, General Akram Khakraizwall. The attack was carried out during a ceremony held... MORE
CANDIDATES REGISTER FOR AFGHAN PARLIAMENTARY ELECTIONS
Monday, May 23, was the last day to register as a candidate for Afghanistan's new parliament. The Joint Electoral Management Body (JEMB) extended the deadline by six days in Nangarhar province and three days in the other 33 provinces to accommodate more candidates. The eastern... MORE