Just whenI was getting a little optimistic about the changing leadership roles in the Taliban I discover another horror story. On Monday in north west Pakistan they blew up five schools. They have now destroyed 180 schools and,of course, banned education for girls. The Taliban are getting more control in this area of Pakistan which…
I know that this is a contentious issue but I think the debate on Afghanistanoften misses an important point about the nature of the conflict. This is not just a group of ill equipped tribesmen fighting the international forces but a mixture of sophisticated and very determined groups with a common aim of restoring Taliban rule.…
The Earl of Sandwich, that doughty and persistent campaigner, put down yet another question on development in Afghanistan. The answer was upbeat – 5 million children go to school, half a million families belong to microfinance schemes, 82% of people live in districts where there is access to basic health care. Of course it is…
