Rebuilding Afghanistan

            My second week in Kabul is as eventful as the first one, driving in and around the city; I witness sanguinity and fear in a very paradoxical way. As always inhabitants of this great city are hopeful of progress and peace, yet the fear of bombings is ever present in their thoughts and actions. The death of Mullah Dadullah, the apparent leader of Taliban in Afghanistan, has further heightened the presence of police and military in Kabul, many fear retaliation by Taliban, who have shown their utter disregard for differentiating between civilian and military targets.
            The death of Dadullah, who is known in Afghanistan as one of the most radical and ruthless Taliban leader has brought relief to many Afghans. Most people I spoke with on the streets were happy that he is now out of the picture, and hope that his death will bring peace and stimulate the governments' reproach with moderate elements of Taliban.
           Yesterday, news reports indicated that Afghan and Pakistani border guards clashed again which resulted in 6 deaths on the Afghan side, and an unspecified number of causalities on the Pakistani side. This episode of fighting is testaments to the broader challenges in this fragile relationship between the two countries. On another note the US military leadership publicly apologized for the deaths of a number of Afghans in the city of Jalalabad. There was wide spread anger and remonstration by Afghans for the tragic death of an entire family by the US military. The recent death of civilians by NATO forces have angered many, and is widely seen by many analysts as an issue that needs to be corrected by NATO.
           With regards to events on the political stage in Afghanistan, the Attorney General of Afghanistan has stepped up his supposed drive to root out corruption; in his most recent effort, he arrested a number of government officials in the province of Kunduz on corruption charges. The Attorney General has been a controversial figure since his appointment, most notably for his saga with Tolo TV channel. Member of Parliament Malalia Joya is again causing controversy this time for her trip to North America. She has proved a valuable torn on the side of the establishment and warlords.