As Kabul awaits runoff, 'everything has stopped' - washingtonpost

KABUL -- But beyond family and religious obligations, this is a capital on hold. Economic activities, from office-building projects to sidewalk shoeshines, are being held hostage to a messy and uncertain presidential election process that has dragged on since early August. - Uncertainty brings life in Kabul to a halt AfPak War

As US looks for exit in Afghanistan, China digs in
Karzai challenger poised to withdraw from race