Pashtun ethnic agenda at heart of Afghan war - KATHY GANNON

KABUL -- In a recent debate leading up to the presidential elections here, the first question was not about terrorism, or violence, or even opium. It was about how candidates viewed a jagged line casually drawn on a map 115 years ago by British colonial rulers.

"Pashtuns are critical to the Afghan election," says Hassan Abbas, research fellow at Harvard University's Belfer Center for Science and International Affairs. "Pashtuns are at the heart of insurgency in both Pakistan and Afghanistan because they have been used and abused in the last three decades by regional as well as international players. Their social fabric has been torn to smithereens and their tribal ethos has been under severe stress and strain due to the rise of fanatical religious elements. Pashtuns today are a victim of circumstances."
Pashtun ethnic agenda at heart of Afghan war
Pashtun Dream-Glance

McCain says US may need more troops in Afghanistan
US to seek more British troops for Afghanistan - guardian