 RFE/RL Afghanistan Report 9/22/2010 6:22:17 PM A review of RFE/RL reporting and analysis about Afghanistan. For more stories on Afghanistan, please visit and bookmark our Afghanistan page . |
 Kabul Launches Controversial Plan To Empower Militia Fighters As Police The Afghan government is pushing forward with plans to arm and pay militia fighters as local police in their home districts. But experts warn that the so-called Local Police Initiative could strengthen the power of warlords or plant the seeds of future conflict between rival Afghan tribes. More  Interview: Parliamentary Vote Displayed 'Positive Signs For Afghanistan's Democracy' Mustafa Sarwar of RFE/RL's Radio Free Afghanistan spoke today with Jed Ober, chief of staff of U.S.-based Democracy International, which sent a team of observers to monitor Afghanistan's second parliamentary elections on September 18. More  Afghan Vote Count Begins Amid Concerns Over Fraud Afghan election officials have begun counting ballots a day after the country's nationwide parliamentary polls. As the count begins, there are concerns over fraud marring the vote but also optimism that the country could emerge stronger for the election. More  Explainer: Afghanistan's Key Poll Ranjbar's difficulties illustrate the obstacles faced by many independent candidates in elections where much is at stake for President Hamid Karzai and the future direction of the country. More  More Female Police For Afghan Vote Afghanistan's security forces are bolstered by thousands of women officers as they go on high alert ahead of the nationwide parliamentary elections on September 18. More Election days make the Afghan capital city particularly nervous. Ahead of them, the Taliban always intensifies its threats to attack both the government and would-be voters indiscriminately. More  Different Slogans, Similar Problems For Afghanistan's Women Candidates While the record participation of women candidates in Afghanistan's upcoming parliamentary elections showcase the growing participation of women in the political process, the road to office is still strewn with obstacles. More  For Kabul Voters, Corruption -- Up Close And Personal -- Is The Hot-Button Issue As Kabul's residents prepare to vote in September 18 parliamentary elections, almost everyone seems to agree on one thing. They are angry over the country's high level of corruption and want to stop it. More |
