Afghan Elections: Karzai Is Well Positioned To Win
On August 20, about 17 million Afghans will go to the polls. The elections are taking place in a country at war. Since the previous presidential election of 2004, the security situation in Afghanistan has become considerably worse. The Taliban insurgency has re-gained momentum, allowing the militants to control some areas in the South and […]
Taliban Threatens To Harm Voters & To Attack Polling Stations
Today, the Taliban made numerous threats to attack polling stations and to arm, in very specific & gruesome ways, Afghans who intend to participate in the elections. The threats were made in leaflets, posted overnight. Some of them warning that the Taliban would cut off the noses and ears of those who vote on Thursday. […]
Deadly Bomb Blast In Kabul Outside NATO Base
Today, a huge blast right outside the NATO military base left 8 people dead and about 71 wounded. The Taliban claims responsibility for the car bomb. The attack (see photo) took place in what is supposed to be one of the most secured location of Afghanistan, and shows that the Taliban have the ability to […]
Senator Webb Is In Burma To Meet Junta Leader
Today, US Senator Jim Webb arrived in Burma for talks with Than Shwe, the leader of the military junta. The visit comes a few days after the military regime extended the house arrest sentence of opposition leader, Aung Suu Kyi. The sentence drew some strong international condemnations, especially from the EU and the UN. Senator […]
Is The Recession Over In Europe?
Today, some new economic data coming from Germany & France are showing signs that both economies have finally stopped contracting. Both France & Germany announced today a surprising GDP ( gross domestic product) growth of 0.3 percent for the 2ND quarter of 2009. Economists, in Germany & France, had predicted more contraction of their respective […]
