Special reports | On a wing and a prayer

Dr Muhammad Atash, a man with a kindly but worry-lined face, sinks into his chair and rubs his eyes. Ariana faces a number of "difficulties", he explains modestly, counting them out on his fingers. "Embezzlement. Nepotism. Red tape. Lack of qualified staff." He tugs on a thumb. "And a general attitude not to work." But then he pauses, allowing his lips to crack into a thin smile. "I believe we are starting to make progress."