Wednesday, April 28, 2010

We Have Met the Enemy and He Is PowerPoint‎ - nytimes

WASHINGTON — Gen. Stanley A. McChrystal, the leader of American and NATO forces in Afghanistan, was shown a PowerPoint slide in Kabul last summer that was meant to portray the complexity of American military strategy, but looked more like a bowl of spaghetti.

We Have Met the Enemy and He Is PowerPoint‎
Radio encryptors deploying to Afghanistan‎

CIA rolls out plan to beef up spy techniques - washingtonpost

WASHINGTON -- The CIA will spend millions of dollars over the next five years to improve intelligence gathering, upgrade technologies and enable analysts to work more closely with spies in the field, under a new plan laid out Monday.

The plan renews the agency's year-old goal to increase the number of analysts and overseas operatives fluent in another language - a problem that has plagued military and civilian intelligence officers throughout much of the last decade of war in Afghanistan and Iraq.

CIA rolls out plan to beef up spy techniques

Tuesday, April 27, 2010

U.N. pulls foreign workers out of Afghan city of Kandahar - latimes

Local staffers were also told to stay home. The decisions reflect the perilous state of security in Afghanistan’s second-largest city, where two civilians were killed in explosions Monday.

U.N. pulls foreign workers out of Afghan city of Kandahar
Afghanistan denies police role in killing of U.N. staffers

Report: Afghans May Have Killed Four UN staff in "Friendly Fire"

UNITED NATIONS - Afghan security forces probably killed an American security officer and three other UN staff in a "friendly fire," exchange during a fog of warfare, UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon reported

Report: Afghans May Have Killed Four UN staff in "Friendly Fire"‎

UN Urged Not To Leave Kandahar
Afghanistan denies police role in killing of U.N. staffers - latimes

U.S. Troops Fill NATO Training Gap In Afghanistan

The Pentagon is sending 800 more American soldiers to Afghanistan in the coming weeks to work as trainers for the Afghan security forces. The contingent is needed because other NATO countries still haven't fulfilled their pledges to send their own troops to train the Afghan army and police.

U.S. Troops Fill NATO Training Gap In Afghanistan
Afghan Peace Talks Await A Karzai-Obama Confab

Pentagon taking closer look at Afghan intel unit

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Defense Secretary Robert Gates ordered a closer look at a military outfit accused of using contractors to help track down militants in Afghanistan, the Pentagon said on Tuesday.

The Pentagon has already launched a criminal investigation into a Defense Department employee, who, instead of providing U.S. commanders details on Afghanistan's social and tribal landscape, is accused of running an off-the-books spy operation.

Pentagon taking closer look at Afghan intel unit
U.N. shuts Kandahar mission as security worsens

U.S. plan to arm Afghan militia founders on tribal rivalries

ACHIN, Afghanistan — Achin district, a home of the Shinwari tribe, is part of an ambitious countrywide U.S. push to fund tribal militias to stand against the Taliban and stabilize the violence-plagued region.

The groups don't receive weapons — which already are plentiful in Afghanistan — but U.S. Special Operations Forces provide money and in some cases training. The militias are meant to complement uniformed Afghan forces and Western troops.

US plan to arm Afghan militia founders on tribal rivalries‎

هفتم ثور؛ دشمنان دیروز، همکاران امروز

در روز هفتم ثور سال ۱۳۵۷ خورشیدی نظام جمهوری محمد داوود خان در پی کودتای نظامی به رهبری حزب دموکراتیک خلق افغانستان سقوط کرد

کودتای هفتم ثور آغاز تحولاتی بود که افغانستان را در سه دهه جنگ و آشوب فرو برد. به نظر بسیاری ها، جنگی که به دنبال این کودتا در کشور آغاز شد، تنها جنگ در جبهه های نظامی نبود، بلکه جنگ ایدئولوژیک هم بود و یک تحول فرهنگی را به دنبال داشت

اما گروه های مجاهدین که بر ضد نظام حاکم می جنگیدند، برای بر قراری حکومت اسلامی در کشور دست به تفنگ برده بودند. شماری از این گروهها از گروههای تندرو اسلامی شمرده می شدند.

اما تحولات اخیر فضای سیاسی کشور را کاملا تغییر داده و جناح هایی که قبلا با میله تفنگ با هم سخن می گفتند، اکنون بدون هیچ مشکلی در کنار هم می نشینند و با هم صحبت می کنند

حالا رهبران هر دو جناح چپ و راست، که در گذشته علیه یکدیگر می جنگیدند، هم در شورای ملی و هم در کابینه افغانستان همکار یک دیگر هستند

این افراد در کابینه ای حضور داشته اند که عبدالرحیم وردک، رئیس کمیته نظامی حزب محاذ ملی، عبدالهادی ارغندی وال و فاروق وردک از اعضای حزب اسلامی گلبدین حکمتیار در زمان جنگ هم در آن وزیر هستند

هفتم ثور؛ دشمنان دیروز، همکاران امروز
Mohammed Daoud Khan - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

SAARC Foreign Ministers Meet On Eve Of Bhutan Summit

Formed in 1985, SAARC originally consisted of India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Bhutan, Bangladesh and Maldives. Afghanistan joined as its eighth member in 2007. China, Iran, European Union, Japan, South Korea, the United States and Mauritius have observer status while Australia and Burma were included as observers for the Bhutan summit.

SAARC Foreign Ministers Meet On Eve Of Bhutan Summit‎

Killings of anti-Taleban politicians in Pakistan signal further abuses - Amnesty International

A fresh spate of killings of anti-Taleban local leaders in the Swat Valley of Pakistan could signal an escalation in the Pakistani Taleban’s campaign of attacks on tribal leaders, Amnesty International has warned.

“The people of Pakistan’s northwest are caught between the Taleban’s systematic abuses, and heavy-handed government military operations that have displaced millions, sparked hundreds of covert extrajudicial executions in Swat, and which have ultimately failed to secure human rights for the area’s civilians.” said Sam Zarifi, Amnesty International’s Asia-Pacific Director.

Killings of anti-Taleban politicians in Pakistan signal further ...

Statement attributable to the Spokesperson for the United Nations Secretary-General

The report describes the confused situation at the Bakhtar guest house with the attackers and responding security personnel both dressed in Afghan police uniforms and a fire raging through the compound. The report suggests the possibility that a UN staff member, Close Protection Officer Louis Maxwell, may have been killed by Afghan security forces who may have mistaken him for an insurgent.

Statement attributable to the Spokesperson for the United Nations Secretary-General
WHO calls for intensified response to Afghan health challenges

علس العمل کارشناسان افغان درمورد خروج کارمندان سازمان ملل از قندهار
U.N. shuts Kandahar mission as security worsens

Laughter Can Stimulate a Dull Appetite - BusinessWeek

MONDAY, April 26 (HealthDay News) -- Laughing can boost the appetite in the same way that exercise does, a finding that could help people eat more when they're sick or depressed, a researcher says.
Those who watched funny videos experienced changes in hormone levels that are linked to greater appetite. The changes are similar to those experienced by people when they exercise moderately.

Laughter Can Stimulate a Dull Appetite BusinessWeek
Laughter 'really is the best medicine' The Hindu
Los Angeles Times (blog)

موارد اختطاف و سوء استفاده از اطفال افزایش یافته است»

افزایش موارد اختطاف و سوء استفاده از اطفال و تجاوز به دختران خورد سال از جمله مواردی اند که افزایش آن در سال های اخیر باعث نگرانی والدین اطفال در افغانستان شده است.

این مطلب به روز دوشنبه در گزارشی که در وزارت کار و امور اجتماعی از سوی موسسه «سی، پن» یا حمایت از اطفال ارایه شد، تذکر یافته است.

موارد اختطاف و سوء استفاده از اطفال افزایش یافته است»

Nearly Half of Adults Have High Blood Pressure, High Cholesterol or Diabetes

Nearly half of adults in the United States have chronic conditions that could lead to heart disease, the leading cause of death among American adults, according to a CDC report released Monday.

45 percent of adults have diagnosed or undiagnosed high blood pressure, high cholesterol, or diabetes, the report said.

Half of Americans Facing Heart Disease
WATCH: Sugar's Connection to Heart Disease
Women's Heart Health: Know Your Risks

Monday, April 26, 2010

Shahid Sardar M. Daoud "Melli Qa'id"

Shahid Sardar M. Daoud "Melli Qa'id"

نخستین سخنرانی شهید داود خان | ویسا خپلواکه ملی ورځپاڼه
Mohammed Daoud Khan - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

مصطفي ظاهر جايزه قهرمان زمين را نصيب شد

جايزه" قهرمان زمين" را شهزاده مصطفي ظاهر رئيس عمومي اداره ملي حفاظت محيط زيست دريافت نمود. شش قهرمان محيط زيست جهان بخاطر تعهدات شخصي ، عمل ، الهام وخلاقيت درراستاي حفاظت محيط زيست امسال به دريافت اين جايزه مفتخر گرديدند. به گزارش خبرنگار آژانس باختر . جايزه قهرمان زمين درسال 2004 ميلادي توسط برنامه محيط زيست ملل متحد بنياد گذاشته شد . اين جايزه به كساني اعطا ميگردد كه ازبينش و خلاقيت لازم براي رهبري و مديريت امور محيط زيست برخوردار ميباشد . تا هنوز اين جايزه به 34 تن از رهبران محيط زيست جهان تعلق گرفته است. شهزاده مصطفي ظاهر رئيس عمومي اداره ملي حفاظت محيط زيست ، ازميان بيش از صد نامزد قهرمان زمين ، بخاطر " الهام بخشي " و " عمل " درراستاي حفاظت محيط زيست برنده اين جايزه شناخته شد

مصطفي ظاهر جايزه قهرمان زمين را نصيب شد
Afghan wins prestigious UN environmental award

U.S. training Afghan villagers to fight the Taliban - washingtonpost

But plans to expand the program have been stymied by Afghan President Hamid Karzai, who fears the teams could turn into offensive militias, the kind that wreaked havoc on the country in the 1990s and prompted the rise of the Taliban. "This is playing with fire," an Afghan government official said. "These groups may bring us security today, but what happens tomorrow?"

Citing Karzai's objections, Karl W. Eikenberry, the U.S. ambassador to Afghanistan, has blocked the release of money needed to broaden the initiative. He also has instructed State Department personnel in the country not to assist the effort until the Afghan government endorses it.

In addition to sharing Karzai's concerns about what would happen to the local defense forces once U.S. oversight ends, Eikenberry and other embassy officials worry that the program would weaken the central government in the eyes of the public and compete with efforts to build up the nation's army and police.

Villagers train to fight the Taliban
Special Forces enlist Afghans to patrol for unrest

سیمینار یاد بود ازپنجا همین سالگرد وفات اعلیضرت امان الله خان دایر شد

سيمينار ياد بود از پنجا همين سالروز وفات اعليحضرت غازي شاه امان الله خان امروز در كابل دایر شد. اين سيمينار از سوي وزارت اطلاعات و فرهنگ با حضور داشت خانواده شاه امان الله ، شخصيت هاي سياسي ، مقامات دولتي ، دانشمندان و خبرنگاران در وزارت خارجه راه اندازي شده بود. در آغاز سيمينار پيام حامد كرزي رئيس جمهور کشور، توسط دوكتور سيد مخدوم رهين وزير اطلاعات و فرهنگ قرائت شد

شاه امان الله خان پسر حبیب الله خان یکی از سرداران پر افتخار و آزادی خواه کشور بود. واستقلال افغانستان در سال 1919 از تحت تسلط برتانیه از جانب وی اعلان شد. شاه بعد از ایجاد نا آرامی توسط حبیب الله کلکانی پس از ده سال پادشاهی مجبور به استعفا شد و روانه ایتالیا گردید. این شاه ترقی خواه، بلاخره در زوریخ سویس در سال 1960 وفات کرد. جنازه شاه پس از انتقال به کشور، در شهر جلال آباد در جوار قبر پدرش بخاک سپرده شد

سیمینار یاد بود ازپنجا همین سالگرد وفات اعلیضرت امان الله خان دایر شد

Afghan Deaths Threaten Support For U.S. Offensive - Jackie Northam

Hundreds of Afghan civilians have lost their lives every year since the U.S. invaded in late 2001. The U.S. military has taken steps to prevent this, but the casualties continue.

"The Special Forces climbed our roof. One of my sons went out to see what happened. They shot him without asking anything," Sharabudin says.

Another son, hearing the shots, ran outside, Sharabudin says.

"He went out and told the forces, 'What is happening? Why are you shooting? We are government officials.' ... Then they killed my second son, too. They also killed three women ... They bring complete disaster and misery to our home. They left a big number of orphans for me. I am absolutely broken."

Two of the females killed in the raid were pregnant; the third was a teenager. One of the sons who died was a policeman; the other a district prosecutor.

Afghan Deaths Threaten Support For U.S. Offensive
80 Afghan Schoolgirls Sick; Poison Suspected AP

Franklin Graham Disinvited From Pentagon Prayer Day For Calling Islam Evil, Offensive - ANNE FLAHERTY

WASHINGTON — Evangelist Franklin Graham's invitation to speak at a Pentagon prayer service has been rescinded because his comments about Islam were inappropriate, the Army said Thursday.

Graham, the son of famed evangelist Billy Graham, in 2001 described Islam as evil. More recently, he has said he finds Islam offensive and wants Muslims to know that Jesus Christ died for their sins.

Nihad Awad, national executive director of Washington-based Council on American-Islamic Relations, said Graham's invitation would have sent "entirely the wrong message" at a time when troops are stationed in Muslim nations.

"Promoting one's own religious beliefs is something to be defended and encouraged, but other faiths should not be attacked or misrepresented in the process," Awad said.

Mikey Weinstein of the Military Religious Freedom Foundation said Graham shouldn't have been invited in the first place.

Franklin Graham Disinvited From Pentagon Prayer Day For Calling Islam Evil, Offensive

مصطفى ظاهر:په هېواد كې د ژوند چاپيريال ورځ تر بلې خرابيږي

په افغانستان كې د چاپيريال ساتنې د خونديتوب مبارزه ځكه له ستونزو او خنډ سره مخ ده، چې لوړ پوړي افغان چارواكي قوانين نه پلي كوي. دا خبرې د افغانستان د چاپيريال ساتنې د ملي ادارې رئيس مصطفى ظاهر د دوشنبې په ورځ په كابل كې خبريالانو ته وكړې

ښاغلي ظاهر وويل، چې په تېرو كلونو كې يې له افغان چارواكو څخه همكاري غوښتې خو هغوى ورسره همكاري نه ده كړې او دوى هم خپلو هدفونو ته نه دي رسېدلي.:
مصطفى ظاهر:په هېواد كې د ژوند چاپيريال ورځ تر بلې خرابيږي

د افغانستان د چاپيريال ساتنې د ملي ادارې رئيس مصطفى ظاهر، په دې وروستيو كې د ملګرو ملتونو له خوا د چاپيريال ساتنې د اتل جايزه اخيستې، دغې جايزې ته سل تنه د نورو هېوادونو څخه انتخاب وه، چې ښاغلي ظاهر تر لاسه كړه

د چاپيريال ساتنې ادارې رئيس وايې، چې په افغانستان په ځانګړي ډول كابل كې د ككړ چاپيريال ستونزې ورځ تر بلې ډېرې او جدي كيږي

كه زموږ هېوادوال او د كابل ښار اوسېدونكي مسئوليت درك نه كړي نو۵ يا ۶ كاله وروسته به په كابل كې ژوند نه شو كولاى.“

مصطفى ظاهر:په هېواد كې د ژوند چاپيريال ورځ تر بلې خرابيږي
مصطفي ظاهر جايزه قهرمان زمين را نصيب شد

د روغتیا نړیوال سازمان افغانانو ته د صحي خدماتو نه رسېدلو په اړه اندېښه لري

په نورستان کې 'شري' ناروغۍ ۲۰ ماشومان مړه کړي

په نورستان ولايت کې د شري ناروغۍ له کبله تر اوسه ۲۰ کسه مړه شوي دي
د نورستان د عامې روغتيا رييس وايي ناروغي په هغو سيموکې ډېر زيان اړولى چې واکسين په کې نه دي شوي

د شري ناروغۍ د مرکزي نورستان د وانت وايګل په ليرو پرتو کليو کې څه موده وړاندې لګېدلى وه، خو خبر يې هله تر رسنيو ورسېد چې يوشمېر ناروغان د اسداباد روغتون ته راوړل شول.

د يادولو ده چې د ژمي په موسم کې د سينه بغل او په اوړي کې د نس ناستي او نورو موسمي ناروغيو له کبله ډير شمير کسان له منځه ځي.

په نورستان کې 'شري' ناروغۍ ۲۰ ماشومان مړه کړي
م. م : ۵۰۰ زره افغانان کافي روغتيايي اسانتياوې نه لري

Afghan wins prestigious UN environmental award

23 April 2010 - The Afghan Director-General of the National Environmental Protection Agency, Prince Mostapha Zaher, has been awarded the UN's highest award, the 2010 Champions of the Earth Award, for environmental leadership.

According to Achim Steiner, UN Under-Secretary-General and UN Environment Programme (UNEP) Executive Director, “Prince Zaher has transformed environmental policy and laid the foundation for sustainability in one of the most challenging countries on the planet at this moment in history. He has balanced the day-to-day realities of Afghanistan with a determination that his country will have clean air and healthy water – backed by laws – upon which a sustainable and peaceful society can be built.”

Afghan wins prestigious UN environmental award

نگرانی سازمان بهداشت جهانی از وضعیت خدمات بهداشتی در افغانستان

سازمان بهداشت جهانی در باره عدم دسترسی شماری از روستاییان افغان به خدمات بهداشتی، اظهار نگرانی کرده است.

پتر گراف، رئیس نمایندگی سازمان بهداشت جهانی در افغانستان در نشست خبری در کابل گفت که ناامنی، صعب العبور بودن راهها و کمبود درمانگاهها باعث شده که شماری از مناطق دوردست روستایی به خدمات بهداشتی دسترسی نداشته باشند

رئیس دفتر سازمان بهداشت جهانی در کابل گفت که براى گسترش خدمات بهداشتی نه تنها به فعال کردن درماندگاههای سیار ضرورت است بلکه به گفته او، باید شمار دکتران و کارمندان بهداشتی نیز افزایش یابد.

نگرانی سازمان بهداشت جهانی از وضعیت خدمات بهداشتی در افغانستان
ثریا دلیل: وضعیت بهداشت در افغانستان بحرانی است

روزنامه های کابل: دوشنبه ۶ ثور، سفر کرزی به هند
مصطفي ظاهر جايزه قهرمان زمين را نصيب شد

Hope trumps hardship as Afghan refugees return home

PESHAWAR, PAKISTAN, April 23 (UNHCR) – After spending his entire life in exile, 23-year-old Romal can barely contain his excitement at the prospect of getting a fresh start in his real homeland – Afghanistan.

Hope trumps hardship as Afghan refugees return home
UNHCR disappointed at Australian decision to reopen detention centre for asylum-seekers

Afghan corruption tribunal jails UK security manager - guardian

A manager at a British company that guards the British embassy in Kabul was sentenced to two years in one of Afghanistan's toughest prisons today after being convicted of bribery.

Shaw's lawyer, Kimberley Motley, said the trial been poorly conducted and there would be an immediate appeal.

She said: "For some reason [the tribunal] decided not to follow Afghan law or the UN conventions to which Afghanistan is a party. Furthermore, the presumption of innocence did not exist for him."

Afghan corruption tribunal jails UK security manager | World news ...
Afghan spy chief: 'I told MI5 that prisoners were being tortured ...

Indo-Pakistan Proxy War Heats up in Afghanistan

Across Afghanistan, behind the obvious battles fought for this country's soul, a shadow war is being quietly waged. It's being fought with spies and proxies, with hundreds of millions of dollars in aid money and ominous diplomatic threats.

Indo-Pakistan Proxy War Heats up in Afghanistan - ABC News
Indo-Pakistan proxy war heats up in Afghanistan‎ - Washingtonpost

Why won't Obama take on the mullahs?‎ - The Australian

The US military discovered a "significant shipment" of arms from Iran to Afghanistan, the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Admiral Mike Mullen, revealed on March 31.

Mullen said the Iranians' "desire to be influential" was increasing. A week earlier, CNN reported that Tehran was training Taliban fighters in Iran.

Why won't Obama take on the mullahs?‎

Sunday, April 25, 2010

د غازي امان الله خان د مړينې ۵۰ تلين ولمانځل شو

د افغانستان ازادي غوښتونكي مبارزغازي امان الله خان له نن څخه پنځوس كاله مخكې په ۱۹۶۰كال كې په سويس كې له نړۍ سترګې پټې كړې.د افغانستان د بهرنيو چارو وزارت د يكشنبې په ورځ د غازي امان الله خان پنځوسم تلين په ځانګړو مراسمو سره په دغه وزارت كې ولمانځه

د غازي امان الله خان د پنځوسم تلين په مناسبت جوړه شوې، غونډه كې د دولت لوړ پوړو چارواکو، د افغانستان د ملي شورا غړو او كار پوهانو ګډون كړى و

د غازي امان الله خان لور انديا په دې مراسمو كې وويل، چې امان الله خان په افغانستان كې د ديموكراسۍ، په سياست او ټولنه كې د ښځو د فعاليت بنسټ اېښودونكى و

د غازي امان الله خان د مړينې ۵۰ تلين ولمانځل شو
از پنجاهمین سال وفات امان الله خان یاد بود بعمل آمد

Afghanistan, UN launches Vaccination Week, World Malaria Day

24 April 2010 - It is vital to immunize more Afghans against vaccine-preventable diseases and protect them from malaria, government and United Nations officials said 24 April during a Kabul ceremony launching two major health events.

United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan

ایران از ما چی می خواهد؟

در خبرهای مربوط به افغانستان گزارش شده است كه عساكر سرحدی کشور ایران دو شب پیش اجساد دو تن از افغان ها كه به تازه گی از سوی دولت آن کشور اعدام شده اند را به مقامات محلی دولت افغانستان در ولایت نیمروز تسلیم كرده اند

انتشار این خبرها یك حقیقت را بر ملا می سازد و آن اینكه در قلمرو جمهوری اسلامی ایران، علیرغم اینكه ادعاهای رسمی مبنی بر حمایت سیاسی از دولت موجود در كابل وجود دارد، اما در عمل تحركاتی صورت می گیرد كه باعث می گردد تا بنیاد های ثبات سیاسی و اجتماعی در افغانستان، با تزلزل مواجه شود. وقتی خبر اعدام افغان ها در ایران منتشر می گردد، باعث می گردد تا در داخل كشور افغانستان عکس العمل های صورت گیرد كه برخی از این عکس العمل ها می تواند ثبات موجود در كشور را با مشکل مواجه كند

از این رو این سوال پیش می آید كه ایران چه نگاهی به افغانستان دارد و اساسا بر اساس چه سیاستی با افغانستان برخورد دارد؟ برخی از كارشناسان به این نظر می باشند كه دولت ایران یك سیاست مرموزی را نسبت به افغانستان اجرا می كند كه بر پایه رقابت خصمانه موجود میان این كشور و ایالات متحده امریكا قرار دارد

ایران از ما چی می خواهد؟

Omega-3 fatty acids are key to a healthier life - latimes

Research shows they promote heart health and reduce pain in people with rheumatoid arthritis. They also may help treat autism, bipolar disorder, depression, Alzheimer’s disease, ADHD and prostate cancer.

So eat more fish. Take fish oil pills (or their vegetarian counterparts). Start buying fortified foods. However you do it, you — like most Americans — could likely benefit from getting more omega-3 fatty acids, specifically DHA and EPA.

But keep in mind, omega-3 fatty acids are not just a single nutrient. The term refers to a family of compounds that are naturally abundant in fish, seafood and algae, and it's their surprising chemical variety that may hold the key to improving our health.

Omega-3 fatty acids are key to a healthier life

80 Afghan schoolgirls fall ill; poison feared

KABUL -- Dozens of Afghan schoolgirls have fallen ill in recent days after reporting a strange odor in their classrooms in northern Afghanistan, prompting an investigation into whether they were targeted by militants who oppose education for girls or victims of mass hysteria.

80 Afghan schoolgirls fall ill; poison feared

Afghanistan says 4-5 years to take over security

KABUL (Reuters) - Afghanistan's security forces will need four to five years before they are fully capable of taking over responsibility for the country's security, its Defense Ministry said on Sunday.

Afghanistan says 4-5 years to take over security
Indo-Pakistan proxy war heats up in Afghanistan

نشست وزیران خارجه ناتو بی نتیجه بود

وزرای خارجه عضو ناتو که برای تعیین یک ضرب الاجل خروج از افغانستان دور هم جمع شده بودند در این نشست تصمیم گرفتند تا واگذاری امنیت و کنترل اوضاع افغانستان به نیروهای افغانی در ماه عقرب آغاز گردد

از سوی دیگر دبیرکل ناتو در سخنرانی اش در این نشست از نیازهایی سخن گفت که بدون توجه به آنها نمی توان برنامه انتقال مسئولیت تامین امنیت به نیروهای افغانستان را عملی کرد، نیاز به آموزش بیشتر نیروهای امنیتی افغانستان و نیاز به مربیان بیشتر به این منظور

دبیرکل ناتو در این باره گفت: برای انتقال مرحله به مرحله و منطقه به منطقه مسئولیت تامین امنیت به نیروهای افغانستان آمادگی دارند، اما توضیح نداد که عملا چنین برنامه ای چه زمانی و از کجا آغاز خواهد شد. و همین بدون برنامه بودن سبب شده تا باز مقامات داخلی و خارجی به اجرایی شدن این روند چشم امیدی نداشته باشند

نکته جالب دیگر اینکه مقامات این نشست اظهار داشتند که خروج نیروهای خارجی از افغانستان یعنی کسب توانایی بیشتر برای افغانستان . بدون اینکه این جمله را شرح دهند که چگونه چنین مطلبی به واقعیت خواهد پیوست؟ آیا واقعا دولت افغانستان به این مرحله رسیده است تا در برابر مخالفینی که خارجی ها توان مقابله با آنها را ندارند ، ایستادگی نماید؟ آیا افراد اردو و پولیس ملی آنقدر آموزش دیده اند تا بتوانند از خود دفاع نمایند؟ و یا اینکه خارجی صرفا قصد دارند خود را نجات دهند! حال بر سر افغانها هرچه آمد عیبی نخواهد داشت

NATO Moves To Make Afghans 'Masters Of Own House'

TALLINN -- NATO has officially set in motion the process that it hopes will eventually allow it to wind up operations in Afghanistan.

"I expect that we will start handing over responsibility to the Afghans this year," Rasmussen said. "Today, we took an important decision to help make that happen. We agreed the approach we will take to transition."

NATO will make a formal decision on the future of security arrangements in Afghanistan at a summit in Lisbon in November.

NATO Moves To Make Afghans 'Masters Of Own House' - Radio Free ...

وزارت صحت (بهداشت) افغانستان می گوید، نزدیک به ۴۰۰ هزار نفر در این کشور مبتلا به بیماری مالاریا هستند.

به گفته مقام های وزارت صحت افغانستان هرچند این بیماری نسبت به سال گذشته پانزده در صد کاهش یافته اما هنوز یک خطر جدی است و حدود بیست میلیون از جمعیت افغانستان در معرض تهدید مبتلا شدن به بیماری قرار دارند

بیماری مالاریا در مناطق گرم و مرطوب بیشتر است و عامل شیوع آن پشه ای به نام انافیل پلامودیم است. که مکروب را از شخص بیمار به افراد دیگر منتقل می کند. و به همین دلیل آنرا پشه مالاریا نیز می گویند

بیماری مالاریا قابل درمان است اما اگر غفلت شود و یا افراد مبتلا به این بماری به دکتر و دارو دسترسی نداشته باشند، ممکن است سبب مرگ افراد بیمار نیز بشود.

'۴۰۰ هزار افغان به مالاریا مبتلا هستند'
'افغانستان از لحاظ مبتلایان به سل جایگاه دوم جهانی را دارد'
روزنامه های کابل: یکشنبه، ۵ ثور

Saturday, April 24, 2010

NATO approves plan to hand over Afghanistan security to government - washingtonpost

TALLINN, ESTONIA -- NATO members adopted a framework Friday for turning over security in Afghanistan to that country's government, and senior officials said they want to begin the transition this year.

"As of today, we have a road map which will lead towards a transition to Afghan leadership starting this year, at which point our publics will start to see the progress for which they quite rightly have been asking," Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen said after a two-day meeting here with NATO foreign ministers.

"It will not be a pullout. It will not be a run for the exits," Rasmussen said. "What will happen is, we will hand over lead responsibility to the Afghans, and our soldiers will move into more of a supportive role."

NATO approves plan to hand over Afghanistan security to government
NATO agrees Afghan plan, but says no rush to exit

Iranian technocrats, disillusioned with government, offer wealth of intelligence to U.S.- washingtonpost

Iran's political turmoil has prompted a growing number of the country's officials to defect or leak information to the West, creating a new flow of intelligence about its secretive nuclear program, U.S. officials said.

In recent weeks, U.S. officials have acknowledged that an Iranian nuclear scientist defected to the West in June. Shahram Amiri, 32, vanished while on a religious pilgrimage in Saudi Arabia and has provided spy agencies with details about sensitive programs, including a long-hidden uranium-enrichment plant near the city of Qom, intelligence officials and Europe-based diplomats said.

Iran technocrats turn informants

'German Soldiers Don't Believe In a Happy Outcome'

Chancellor Angela Merkel told parliament on Thursday that the mission in Afghanistan is "indispensable" for Germany's security.

'German Soldiers Don't Believe In a Happy Outcome'
Greece Asks for Loans from the EU and IMF

Partnering in Afghanistan: New McChrystal Approach Means Greater Danger for German

خروج از افغانستان فاجعه بار است - انگلا مرکل

نخست وزیر آلمان بار ديگر از حضور نيروهاي كشورش در افغانستان حمايت و اعلام کرد که خروج سريع فاجعه ‌بارتر از پيامدهاي حملات 11 سپتامبر خواهد بود

مركل همچنين ضمن غير مسؤلانه خواندن درخواست براي خروج سريع نيروها از افغانستان گفت که درصورت چنين اقدامي، افغانستان در آشوب و هرج و مرج غرق مي‌شود

به باور وی خروج نيروها به افراط گرایان اين قوت قلب را مي‌دهد كه عمليات تروريستي خود را فراتر از افغانستان و حتي كشورهاي همسايه ادامه دهند

خروج از افغانستان فاجعه بار است
تعیین چارچوب انتقال مسئولیت به افغانها

مک کریستتال وارد برلین شد

Precedent suggests Afghanistan Taliban could win: report - CSM

A new study says the Afghanistan Taliban enjoy a slew of advantages that historically correlate with insurgent success, such as Pakistani sanctuary and a weak government in Kabul.

Precedent suggests Afghanistan Taliban could win: report

Financial Reform Fact Check - ABC News

David Muir looks into what financial reform would actually do.

Financial Reform Fact Check - ABC News

Friday, April 23, 2010

France to Ban Muslim Veils in Public?

Home of Europe's largest Muslim population wants to ban women from wearing veils

WATCH: France to Ban Muslim Veils in Public?
Ban Muslim Garb? Europeans Consider It

Nato sets out plans to transfer control in Afghanistan

Nato is preparing to hand control of parts of Afghanistan to the Afghan people this year, Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen has said.

US President Barack Obama has said that the US aims to begin pulling troops out of Afghanistan in 2011.

Nato plans Afghanistan transfer
دبیر کل ناتو: شرایط در افغانستان به نفع ما است

ایران درخواست عضویت در شورای حقوق بشر را پس گرفت

Global recovery moving faster than expected, says G20

The global economy is emerging faster than expected from the deep recession, finance ministers from the world's leading economies, the G20, have said.

Global recovery moving faster than expected, says G20‎
Developing world leads recovery
Greece calls on emergency loans

د ناټو عمومي منشي د افغانستان امنیتي وضعیت ته اندیښنه څرګنده کړه

د ایستونیا په مرکز تالین کې نن جمعه د اپریل ۲۳ د ناټو عمومي منشي اندرس فوګ راسموسن له افغانستانه د بهرنیو ځواکونو د وتلو، افغانانو ته د واک سپارلو او په افغانستان کې د ناټو د ستونزو په اړه څرګندونې وکړې. دغې غونډې ته به نن د هیلري کلنټن هم خبرې وکړي

په دې اړه د ناټو عمومي منشي اندرس فوګ راسموسن نن د ایستونیا په مرکز تالین کې د ناټو په غونډه کې وویل:
"د دې ماموریت راتلونکې څرګنده او روښانه ده، یعنې د افغانانو د کاري ظرفیت لوړیدل او د افغان چارواکو ښه مشرتابه."

د ناټو عمومي منشي د افغانستان امنیتي وضعیت ته اندیښنه څرګنده کړه
«تا وقتی که اطمینان حاصل نه شود، ناتو از افغانستان خارج نمی شود»

کرېسټل: په افغانستان کې د ثبات راوستلو لپاره د کرزي اقدامات پرځای دي

"Afghanistan is one of the world’s poorest countries, but it is not without prospects."

That is not an invitation to let Mr. Karzai off the hook. Mr. Obama needs to keep pressing him to fire the corrupt officials and cronies who have soured millions of Afghans on their own government. The Afghan leader is expert at ignoring such wise counsel, but he does so at his own peril.

The United Nations has enough to do to help strengthen Afghanistan’s political institutions, oversee elections (a new Parliament will be chosen in September) and ensure that humanitarian relief gets where it is needed.

The International Monetary Fund, the World Bank and the Asian Development Bank could all do a better job of monitoring, auditing and coordinating the billions of dollars of international aid flowing into Afghanistan.

Afghanistan is one of the world’s poorest countries, but it is not without prospects. It is believed to have huge mineral wealth, including copper, iron ore and rare earth minerals like lithium, used in making electric cars. Its agricultural areas can be more than self-sufficient if irrigation canals are rebuilt and access provided. Its carpets and textiles have a worldwide market.

With less corruption, better economic management and more focused international effort, it does not have to remain poor. It could begin financing its government and its further development from its own resources.

Editorial: Mr. Karzai Might Even Agree
«افغانستان غریب، اما بدون دورنمای انکشافی نمی باشد»

Franklin Graham on Islam, media - washingtonpost

DIVINE IMPULSES | Son of evangelist Billy Graham says, "I do not agree with the teachings of this religion," calls Islam "wicked."

Graham said to On Faith's Sally Quinn. (Video by Katherine Crnko and Elizabeth Tenety/Washington Post)

Franklin Graham on Islam, media

NATO agrees Afghan plan, but says no rush to exit

TALLINN (Reuters) - NATO ministers Friday agreed conditions to start handing over security responsibility in Afghanistan to Afghan forces this year, but the alliance said this would not mean a rush to leave the country.

"It will not be a pullout. It will not be a run for the exit," Rasmussen told a news conference after a meeting of NATO foreign ministers in the Estonian capital Tallinn.

NATO agrees Afghan plan, but says no rush to exit

دموکراسی و حاکمیت ملی

حاکمیت ملی، اصل پذیرفته شده در روابط بین المللی است که الزاما باید محترم شمرده شود. یکی از محوری ترین اصولی که از کنفرانس باندونگ به بعد مورد قبول کشورهای غیرمنسلک قرار گرفت و برای کشورهای ضعیفی که در وسط دو قطب ابرقدرت زمان یعنی شوروی و امریکا می خواستند بدون وابستگی به این یا آن، حق انتخاب شان را در گزینش نظم و نظام سیاسی حفظ نمایند و اراده شان را در تحقق اهداف و مقاصدشان اعمال نمایند، فرصت می داد تا با کشورهای گوناگون بر اساس اصل همزیستی مسالمت آمیز، در کنار هم حضور داشته و روابط متقابل داشته باشند

ولی آنچه در این رابطه باید مورد توجه قرار گیرد این است که مفهوم حاکمیت ملی، هم پای با تحولات سیاسی و اجتماعی و اقتصادی و غیره، پویایی خاص خودش را دارد و تحول می پذیرد و باید با در نظر داشت همین خصوصیت به فهم و درک و تفسیر آن بپردازیم. گسترش خواسته یا ناخواسته روابط متقابل اقتصادی، سیاسی و بالطبع فرهنگی و... میان کشورها و ملت ها و درهم تنیدن نیازها و ضرورت های مشترک، الزاما روش ها و شیوه های مشترکی را پیش روی همه قرار می دهد که تخطی و فرار از آن ناممکن است و هر نوع لجاجت و تعصب، جز اثرپذیری و انفعال و یا تجرید نتیجه ای در بر نخواهد داشت

برای ایجاد یک رابطه متوازن و متعادل قبل از همه لازم است منافع مشترک و اهداف مشترک هر دو طرف روشن گردد و به آن بها داده شود. حاکمیت ملی در عصر و زمان ما که عصر جهانی شدن هست، از طریق دیوار کشیدن و سیم خاردار و موانع دیگر تحقق پذیر نیست - دموکراسی و حاکمیت ملی

جلسات مشورتی و ترکیب سوال برانگیز آن!
توافق ناتو در مورد انتقال مسوولیت ها به نیروهای افغان

Bandung Conference — (meeting of representatives of 29 African and Asian nations, held at Bandung, Indonesia, in 1955.)

No friendly waves only hatred for British troops in Afghan town‎ - guardian

As with so many of the Helmand towns where the British are present the bazaar in Sangin is officially "thriving".

No friendly waves only hatred for British troops in Afghan town‎

Obama calls Ariz. immigration measure 'misguided' - Houston Chronicle

PHOENIX — Obama said he's instructed the Justice Department to examine the Arizona bill to see if it's legal, and said the federal government must enact immigration reform at the national level — or leave the door open to "irresponsibility by others."

Obama calls Ariz. immigration measure 'misguided'- Houston Chronicle
Reuters - Los Angeles Times - Wall Street Journal

Arizona governor signs immigration measure - washingtonpost

«معمای نا پدید شدن دو جاسوس پاکستانی عمیق تر می شود»

معمای نا پدید شدن دو جاسوس پاکستانی عمیق تر می گردد. گفته می شود دو عضو برجستهء سابق دستگاه استخباراتی پاکستان یا آی، اس، آی که به صورت آشکارا از طالب ها حمایت می کردند، از طرف این گروپ افراطی در مناطق غربی قبایلی پاکستان اختطاف شدند

سلطان امیر تره که بنام کرنیل امام معروف است، اکثراً خود ستانی می کرد که گویا او مربی ملا عمر رهبر خلوت نشین طالب ها و هزارها افغان های افراطی در جریان سال های 1980 و1990 بوده است

خالد خواجه عضو سابق دیگر دستگاه استخباراتی پاکستان، شخصی که از محکمه پاکستان درخواست عدم تسلیم دهی ملا عبدالغنی برادر را به افغانستان نمود، نیزهمراه با کرنیل امام ناپدید شد
این دو جاسوس سابق پاکستانی همراه با اسد قریشی فلم ساز بریتانوی پاکستانی الاصل در اواخر ماه مارچ به منطقه وزیرستان یعنی پایگاه طالب ها رفتند. اما حالا گفته می شود که هر سه آنها از طرف یک گروپ کوچک افراطی نا شناخته بنام « پلنگ های آسیا» اختطاف شدند

احمد رشید ژورنالست شناخته شده پاکستانی به رادیو آزادی گفت، این دو جاسوس سابق پاکستانی پروپاگند چی های طالب های افغان و پاکستانی بودند.

آنها دو شخصیت شناخته شده جهادی اردوی پاکستان بودند که در وقت ضرورت از آنها برای پروپاگند جهاد ضد امریکایی و ضد هندی استفاده می شد

«معمای نا پدید شدن دو جاسوس پاکستانی عمیق تر می شود»

In Pakistan, Mystery Deepens Over Missing Former Spies | Spero News
Fears grow for British film-maker missing in Pakistan's tribal ...Guardian

Clinton and NATO plan West's Afghan exit - Associated Press

TALLINN, Estonia -- NATO's top official said Friday the 28-nation alliance is on track with its new strategy for winding down the war in Afghanistan next year, despite security setbacks and a continuing shortage of foreign trainers for the fledgling Afghan police and army.

Fogh Rasmussen asserted that the Afghan government, which has been hampered by a Taliban insurgency, political corruption, a dysfunctional economy and a dependence on foreign assistance, is starting to take more responsibility for running the country's affairs.

Clinton and NATO plan West's Afghan exit
Afghan forces implicated in U.N. killing
Once-docile Afghan parliament stands up to Karzai and becomes an ...‎

Thursday, April 22, 2010

چرا قانون انتخابات افغانستان جنجالی شد؟

انتظار می رود تعدادی از اعضای مجلس نمایندگان افغانستان، با حامد کرزی، رئیس جمهوری این کشور دیدار کرده و تلاش کنند تا به نقطه مشترکی در مورد حل جنجال ها بر سر قانون انتخابات برسند

در حالی که حدود پنج ماه به برگزاری انتخابات پارلمانی باقی مانده و ثبت نام نامزدهای این انتخابات از همین حالا شروع شده، حکومت افغانستان و پارلمان هنوز نتوانسته اند به تفاهمی در مورد قانون برگزاری این انتخابات برسند

با این حال، وزارت عدلیه (دادگستری) افغانستان فرمان تقنینی رئیس جمهوری در مورد قانون جدید انتخابات را مورد تائید قرار داد و این قانون را برای انتخابات پارلمانی افغانستان اجرایی اعلام کرد

این قانون در جریده رسمی چاپ شده و از سوی رئیس جمهوری نیز توشیح شده است

چرا قانون انتخابات افغانستان جنجالی شد؟
نشریات کابل: پنجشنبه 2 ثور
افغانستان به د برتانيا د ټاکنو په دويم بحث کې مهمه موضوع وي

Pakistan, US undeterred by Afghan setback‎ - Syed Saleem Shahzad

ISLAMABAD - The recent American withdrawal from the strategic Korangal Valley in the eastern Afghan province of Kunar was largely seen among the old-guard mujahideen as a replay of the Soviet withdrawal from that area in 1986.

The withdrawal of American forces from Korangal Valley is a direct result of the failure of the Pakistani armed forces to tame militants in Mohmand and Bajaur, where as in the 1980s, they have vital bases in support of the struggle across the border.

Pakistan, US undeterred by Afghan setback‎

Germany and Afghanistan, What is this thing called war?

Slowly and painfully Germany’s leaders and voters are coming to terms with being at war in Afghanistan

Germany and Afghanistan What is this thing called war?‎
Drug addiction - a growing burden

جلسات مشورتی و ترکیب سوال برانگیز آن!

به ریاست آقای کرزی و اشتراک شماری از مقام های بلند پایه دولتی و رهبران سیاسی ـ جهادی، جلسه مشورتی ای برای بحث پیرامون مسایل جاری کشور برگزار گردید. در نفس مشوره و ضرورت آن، حرفی نیست، ولی در مورد ترکیب آن و این که اشخاص و افراد طرف مشوره چه کسانی باید باشند و آیا تصامیم این چنین جلساتی تا کجا جنبه الزامی دارد، روشنی وجود ندارد. تا هنوز حتا تعریف قانونی از رهبران سیاسی و جهادی در دست نیست و همه کسانی که می توانند زیر عنوان رهبران سیاسی جهادی تعریف شوند، در این نشست حاضر نبوده اند

هم اکنون تعداد زیادی از احزاب سیاسی رسمیت یافته در کشور فعالیت دارند که رییسان آن ها را می توان رهبر سیاسی تعریف کرد. چرا آنان از شرکت در این جلسه مشورتی محروم هستند؟

آیا رییس جمهور برای بحث در مورد گزینش اعضای کمیسیون نظارت بر تطبیق قانون اساسی به جای مراجعه به استادان و حقوق دانان سرشناس و صاحب تجربه به کسانی مراجعه کند که حقوق و قانون را نیز از ورای عینک سیاست و مصلحت می نگرند و در اظهارنظر و مشوره های شان نه بر اساس معیارهای علمی و توانمندی های تجربی، بلکه بر اساس مصلحت هایی شخصی یا گروهی و با در نظر داشت حضور رییس دولت و شرم حضور در محضر بزر گان، نظر و مشوره می دهند؟

گاهی به نظر می رسد که تدویر چنین نشست های بی ضرر و بعضا پر سود، نوعی فرافگنی و فرار از مسوولیتی باشد که انجام آن به قاطعیت و جدیت ضرورت دارد

جلسات مشورتی و ترکیب سوال برانگیز آن!
جرگه صلح به تعويق افتاد؛ طرحی که از اول مشکوک بود!

وردک شایستگی ریاست جرگه مشورتی را دارد؟!

Wednesday, April 21, 2010

Israel Rebuffs U.S. on Building - Wall Street Journal

Prime Minister Netanyahu Says He Won't Freeze Home Construction in East Jerusalem

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu conveyed to the White House this weekend his rejection of a U.S. call for a total Israeli construction freeze in East Jerusalem, calling into question the path toward Middle East peace, according to officials briefed on the diplomacy. - Wall Street Journal

Netanyahu rejects east Jerusalem freeze - Jerusalem Post
Reuters UK - Reuters - AFP
Obama to US Jews: Nothing will distance us from Israel - Ha'aretz

American Medical Overseas Relief - AMOR

In war-ravaged Afghanistan, even bombs don’t keep families away.

Desperation rules in Kabul, where an estimated 5 million people live with an infrastructure designed to accommodate 500,000. Even bombed-out buildings become lodging in such severe circumstances.

Kabul’s population has tripled since late 2001, making it perhaps the world’s fastest-growing city in the last eight years, according to Humanitarian Exchange Magazine. With ongoing war, the city has become a case study of urban displacement.

American Medical Overseas Relief

Option of striking Iran never off the table - Pentagon

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. military action against Iran remains an option even as the United States pursues diplomacy and sanctions to halt the country's nuclear program, the Pentagon said on Wednesday.

Option of striking Iran never off the table - Pentagon
NATO to debate future of nuclear arms in Europe

Taliban No. 2 interrogations yield useful intel - U.S.

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Interrogations of the Afghan Taliban's No. 2 leader have started producing useful intelligence on the group and its operations against U.S. forces across the Pakistani border, U.S. officials said on Tuesday.

Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar was captured in the Pakistani port of Karachi in late January in a joint operation by the CIA and Pakistan's Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) spy agency.

A senior U.S. military official in Kabul described the arrest as part of a power play by Pakistan to ensure it has a major role in any Afghan reconciliation process.

"I think it's a matter of controlling the dialogue, the official said recently, on condition of anonymity. "It's to ensure that they have a ... principal position in a negotiated settlement here, in resolving this conflict.

"I know for a fact that that is the position that the Pakistanis want. They want to ensure that they are not without a big voice in the outcome."

Taliban No. 2 interrogations yield useful intel - U.S. | World ...
Fears grow for British film-maker missing in Pakistan's tribal ...Guardian

US and Europe rethink role of Cold War alliance

WASHINGTON -- Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton is heading to a meeting of NATO ministers in Estonia at a time when the 61-year-old organization is suffering from a kind of mid-life crisis.

US and Europe rethink role of Cold War alliance

France moves towards banning Muslim veil in public

PARIS (Reuters) - France is moving toward a ban on wearing face-covering Islamic veils in public, with the government set to examine a draft bill next month amid heated debate over women's rights and religious freedom.

Sarkozy believed that the full veil, commonly referred to as the burqa in France, "hurts the dignity of women and is not acceptable in French society," he told reporters.

The debate has spread as far as Afghanistan, where some women's rights activists expressed outrage at the French proposal, saying they disliked the burqa but women should be free to wear whatever they wanted.

France moves towards banning Muslim veil in public
Afghanistan sees great white hope in marble sector

Dexter Filkins: Afghanistan's 'Make Or Break' Time

The planned withdrawal, starting in July 2011, would take place after the Afghan troop level is strong enough to target the Taliban-led insurgency. Filkins says that it's difficult to predict what will happen if, and when, the American troops pull out.

"I think what's hanging over all of this is the consequences of failure," he says. "They're pretty bad. If you remember, when the American war here started in 2001, it was because Afghanistan had imploded into a terrible civil war. It was a failed state, the Taliban took over, basically, and gave sanctuary to al-Qaida. You have to ask yourself the question, 'If the Americans pull out, what will prevent that from happening again?' "

Dexter Filkins: Afghanistan's 'Make Or Break' Time

Dangers Mounting for Afghan Women

(Kabul) -- Afghan women in public life have always struggled, but the involvement of the international community in Afghanistan over the past eight and a half years opened space for women that did not exist under Taliban rule. Current trends, though, are negative. Women’s participation in politics and public life generally is declining, and, alarmingly, violence against women who venture out of the private sphere is spiking across the country.

"The Afghan government and the international troops supporting it have failed to adequately protect women working in public office and as human rights defenders," said Zarifi. "The ability of Afghan women to be active outside their homes should be a key benchmark for the effectiveness of the Afghan government and NATO troops, and in this regard, the record is quite poor."

Dangers Mounting for Afghan Women | UN Dispatch

Julius Cavendish: Taliban and the mafia: a terrifying combination‎

"I won't say the names of these people but everyone knows who they are," one man told me. "There are two or three people at Kandahar airfield and maybe 10 in Kandahar City. You can't say anything about these guys. The government is involved with them."

Julius Cavendish: Taliban and the mafia: a terrifying combination‎

Should the Food Industry Ban Added Salt and Sugar?

The pressure is on the food industry to stop poisoning us with all that added salt and sugar that make Oreos, Coke, and Krispy Kreme doughnuts taste oh, so good. On Tuesday, the Institute of Medicine urged the Food and Drug Administration to start regulating the amount of sodium in foods, since simply telling us to eat less salt hasn't had much impact.

Who knew that a Starbucks Java Chip Frappuccino Light Blended Coffee has 350 milligrams of sodium—about 15 percent of our daily allowance?

Los Angeles Times - Atlantic Online
Experts Urge FDA to Mandate Salt Reduction WebMD
At a glance: Changes in sodium levels in food The Associated Press

Russia Tops Agenda Of NATO Meeting In Tallinn

NATO foreign ministers are breathing a collective sigh of relief as skies in Europe clear from volcanic ash and their April 22-23 meeting in the Estonian capital, Tallinn, can now officially go ahead.

Russia Tops Agenda Of NATO Meeting In Tallinn

چین بزرگترین جدی ترین کشور سرمایه گذار در افغانستان

در هشت سال اخیر همکاری های اقتصادی بین چین و افغانستان به طور منظم رشد کرده است.

افغانستان برای پیشرفت اقتصادی خود به سرمایه گزاری های چین نیاز دارد و چین هم که نفوس آن روز بروز بیشتر می شود، برای پیدا کردن مواد خام انرژی و راه های مواصلاتی افغانستان علاقه دارد که می تواند این کشور را به آسانی به آسیای میانه، پاکستان و ایران وصل کند

هرچند فعلا چین برای حضور نظامی در افغانستان علاقه نشان نمی دهد، اما به نظر تحلیل گران تقویهء روابط اقتصادی و سرمایه گذاری های این کشور درافغانستان در طویل مدت، برای منافع ستراتیژیک امنیتی آن هم بی تاثیر نه خواهد بود

«چین بزرگترین جدی ترین کشور سرمایه گذار در افغانستان»

تدویر جرگهء مشورتی صلح به تعویق افتاد
با رمضان بشردوست در مورد تقرر آقای معنوی به حیث رییس کمسیون مستقل انتخابات افغانستان

Study: Dietary Added Sugars Pose Heart Attack, Stroke and Diabetes Risk

The average American consumes about 156 pounds of added sugar each year per capita, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

Sugars occur naturally in foods such as fruits, vegetables and milk, but manufacturers add extra sugar during processing, to boost the flavor or aid with preservation. Consumers may also add sugar to foods on their own.

American adults eat about 104 grams of sugar per day, but the American Heart Association recommends limiting added sugars to 25 grams per day for women and to 37.5 grams a day for men, Savard said.

Study: Dietary Added Sugars Pose Heart Attack, Stroke and Diabetes Risk ABC News
Study: Too Much Sugar Increases Heart Risks TIME
Worcester Telegram - Boston Herald - Reuters
Health Buzz: America's Sweet Tooth Harms Heart Health

U.S. Unveils New $100 Bill Wall Street Journal

WASHINGTON—Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner and Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke unveiled a new $100 bill equipped with two new security features. The bill will go into circulation Feb. 10, 2011.

U.S. Unveils New $100 Bill Wall Street Journal
New US $100 note aims to deter counterfeiters

فساد اداري در افغانستان یک پدیده‏ی داخلی است و ربطي به کشورهاي کمک کننده ندارد

"مارک سيدويل که با خبرنگاران در کابل سخن می‏گفت با اشاره به برگزاری مجلس مشورتي صلح، گفت: اين نشست فرصتي براي گفت وگو ميان دولت و مخالفين خواهد بود
وي همچنين اظهار داشت: اين نشست دو پيامد عمده در برخواهد داشت؛ يکي تشويق مخالفين مسلح به بازگشت به روند زندگي صلح آميز و دومي تحکيم هرچه بيشتر پايه هاي صلح هميشگي در افغانستان

وي در ادامه با اشاره به نشست وزيران خارجه کشور هاي عضو ناتو که قرار است با حضور"زلمي رسول" وزير خارجه کشورمان پنجشنبه هفته جاري در شهر "تالين" پايتخت استوني برگزار شود، تصریح کرد: در این نشست در مورد دو موضوع يکي انتقال مسووليت به افغان ها و ديگري وضعيت جاري سياسي در کشور بحث خواهد شد

این مقام ناتو افزود: این سازمان خود را برای عملی کردن برنامه رییس جمهور کرزی مبنی بر اینکه نیروهای امنیتی افغان ظرف سه سال آینده مسوولیت تامین امنیت مناطق کلیدی و در پنج سال آینده مسوولیت تامین امنیت سراسر افغانستان را به عهده خواهند گرفت، متعهد می داند

همچنين وي از فساد اداري به عنوان عامل بازدارنده پيشرفت و توسعه در افغانستان ياد کرد و گفت: فساد يک پديده داخلي در اين کشور است و ربطي به کشورهاي کمک کننده ندارد و دولت بايد در محو فساد مالي در کشور تلاش هاي جدي به خرج دهد

اين اظهارات نماينده غيرنظامي ناتو درحالي مطرح مي شود که مقامات دولتی کشورمان مکررا اعلام کرده اند که فساد اداری در نهادهای بین المللی بیشتر از ادارات و موسسات داخلی می‏باشد

فساد اداري در افغانستان یک پدیده‏ی داخلی است و ربطي به کشورهاي کمک کننده ندارد

Travel chaos persists despite easing of flight ban

Travel chaos continues to grip Europe, despite the easing of the aerial shutdown as the Icelandic volcano eruption appeared to wane.

Chaos persists as flights resume
Half of European flights 'to fly'

In Afghanistan war, a kinder, gentler night raid?

Gen. Stanley McChrystal has issued new rules designed to make night raids less invasive, as part of the broader Afghanistan war strategy to win over the population. Some soldiers say it’s hamstringing their ability to nab Taliban militants.

In Afghanistan war, a kinder, gentler night raid?

Tuesday, April 20, 2010

The Dancing Boys of Afghanistan , "bacha bazi" - PBS

As the United States deepens its commitment to Afghanistan, FRONTLINE takes viewers inside the war-torn nation to reveal a disturbing practice that is once again flourishing in the country: the organized sexual abuse of adolescent boys.

www.pbs.org/frontline/dancingboys

قانوني: قانون جديد انتخابات از اعتبار ساقط است

بر بنياد ماده 90 قانون اساسي افغانستان شوراي ملي صلاحيت تصويب، تعديل يا لغو قوانين و فرامين تقنيني را دارد
مجلس نمايندگان مي گويد چون فرمان رييس جمهور در مورد قانون انتخابات پروسه قانوني خود را طي نكرده است قانون قبلي انتخابات عملي مي باشد

محمد يونس قانوني، رييس مجلس نمايندگان گفت:" به دلايل حقوقي متعددي كه شما (نمايندگان) طي ايام گذشته عنوان كرديد، مشرانوجرگه هم به صورت كتبي روز گذشته موقف خود را اعلام كرد، فرمان جديد كه براي ما و شما رسيد و از طريق ولسي جرگه رد شد، اين دوسيه مختومه است، از اعتبار ساقط است. عمل به مقتضاي فرمان قبلي كه نافذ است، صورت مي گيرد". وي علاوه كرد:" براي تطبيق اين فيصله ولسي جرگه و شوراي ملي قدم هاي عملي برداشته شود
قانوني: قانون جديد انتخابات از اعتبار ساقط است

اين در حالي است كه پيش از اين كميسيون مستقل انتخابات اعلام كرده بود براساس قانون جديد انتخابات، انتخابات پارلماني را برگزار مي كند.
بر اساس اعلام قبلي كميسيون انتخابت قرار است امروز ثبت نام نامزدان انتخابات پارلماني آغاز شود
قانوني: قانون جديد انتخابات از اعتبار ساقط است
آغاز ثبت نام نامزدان و سرنوشت مبهم قانون انتخابات
قانون انتخابات، پس از انتخابات تصویب می شود!

تنها آمادگی برای مذاکره کافی نیست، ملاعمر باید گام عملی بردارد

Study: Brain Exercises Don't Improve Cognition

"There are approximately 10 million scientists in the world. If you could improve their cognition by 1%, the gain would hardly be noticeable in a single individual. But it could be equivalent to instantly creating 100,000 new scientists."

For now, there is no nifty computer game that will turn you into Einstein, Grahn says. But there are other proven ways to improve cognition, albeit only by small margins. Consistently getting a good night's sleep, exercising vigorously, eating right and maintaining healthy social activity have all been shown to help maximize a brain's potential over the long term.

Study: Brain Exercises Don't Improve Cognition - TIME
Studies: An Idle Brain May Be Ripe for Learning
Mild Exercise May Counter Dementia

Plan Would Revamp Export Controls - Wall Street Journal

WASHINGTON—The Obama administration kicked off a broad push to revamp the nation's export control regime by proposing to raise the walls around the most sensitive U.S. technologies while lowering them for most everything else.

Mr. Gates said that the proposed changes were designed to streamline the export-review process and to protect the "crown jewel" technologies.

Plan Would Revamp Export Controls Wall Street Journal
Gates calls for overhaul of export licensing control - washingtonpost
Gates Calls for Easing Limits on Exports - New York Timess

Dual studies vilify sugar and salt in US diet

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Sugar and salt are damaging the health of Americans by raising blood pressure and cholesterol -- and regulation may be the only way to help, researchers agree.

Dual studies vilify sugar and salt in US diet
Sweet tooth? Here's news hard to live with CNN
Too much sugar increases heart disease risk msnbc.com

Holbrooke Takes Questions on Afghanistan and Pakistan in Live Web Chat

Speaking to reporters, Holbrooke said Afghan President Hamid Karzai and a number of senior Afghan cabinet officials will visit Washington from May 10 through the 14, at the invitation of President Barack Obama.

Holbrooke said he expects an "intense bilateral" meeting between Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and Mr. Karzai as well as meetings at the White House and on Capitol Hill.

Holbrooke Takes Questions on Afghanistan and Pakistan in Live Web Chat
Rising Anti-Westernism in Afghanistan‎

سندی تایمز: آمادگی ملامحمد عمر برای اشتراک در مذاکرات صلح

Salt Shakedown: Institute of Medicine Urges FDA to Regulate Sodium

An Institute of Medicine report that urges the government to set limits on the amount of salt in processed foods could spur a new wave of food regulation -- one that could save hundreds of thousands of American lives from heart attack and stroke, doctors say.

New Report Says Limits on Salt in Processed Foods Could Save Lives, Money
Top 9 Unhealthiest Foods You Can Order

FDA calls for salt cutbacks Los Angeles Times
CNN - AFP - Chicago Tribune - The Associated Press
Lawmakers urge FDA to move swiftly to limit amount of salt in foods

Exclusive: Skyrocketing Heroin, Opium Use Ensnaring Afghan Children - ABCnews‎

Staggering levels of opium and heroin have been detected in Afghan children as young as 14 months by a team of researchers hired by the US State Department, revealing a fast-emerging problem that could cripple American efforts to bring stability to the war-torn country.

Exclusive: Skyrocketing Heroin, Opium Use Ensnaring Afghan Children‎
WATCH: Inside an Afghan Drug Factoryaring Afghan Children‎
More from Brian Ross and the Investigative Team

A Neocon Split on Afghanistan?

The influential group that had helped lead the nation into war in Iraq looked unified on Afghanistan.

A Neocon Split on Afghanistan? | Mother Jones

Diets high in added sugar raise heart disease risk - latimes

A new study suggests that diets high in added sugars can alter levels of important blood fats and increase the risk of cardiovascular disease.

Additionally, those who consumed more than 17.5% of their calories from the sugars — be it ordinary table sugar derived from sugar cane or sugar beets, high fructose corn syrup or any other caloric sweetener — were 20% to 30% more likely to have high levels of blood fats called triglycerides than people with the low-sugar diets, the study found.

Diets high in sugar raise heart disease risk - Los Angeles Times
Sugar Added to Food Linked to Heart Disease Risk, Cholesterol BusinessWeek

High-Sugar Diet Linked to Cholesterol

April 20, 2010 -- The average American eats the equivalent of about 21 teaspoons of added sugar a day -- about 2 1/2 to 3 times more than new heart disease prevention guidelines say they should.

Excess sugar is known to contribute to obesity, diabetes, and other conditions linked to heart disease, and now new research links it to unhealthy cholesterol and triglyceride levels.

High-Sugar Diet Linked to Cholesterol

Sugar Added to Food Linked to Heart Disease Risk, Cholesterol BusinessWeek
Diets high in sugar raise heart disease risk Los Angeles Times

هشدار پنتاگون درباره افزایش توان موشکی ایران - BBC

وزارت دفاع آمریکا (پنتاگون) هشدار داده این امکان وجود دارد که ایالات متحده تا پنج سال دیگر در تیررس موشک های بالستیک ایران قرار بگیرد.

پنتاگون این مطلب را در گزارش غیرمحرمانه ای که به کنگره ارائه شده، اعلام کرده است.

در این گزارش نوشته شده است: "ایران با کمک خارجی کافی احتمالا می تواند تا سال ۲۰۱۵ میلادی یک موشک قاره پیما با توانایی رسیدن به ایالات متحده را تولید و آزمایش کند."

هشدار پنتاگون درباره افزایش توان موشکی ایران
Gates Says U.S. Lacks a Policy to Thwart Iran - NYTimes
Officials Say Iran Could Make Bomb Fuel in a Year
Iranian missile may be able to hit U.S. by 2015

ترکیه بر سر دوراهی حمایت از آمریکا یا ایران
Turkey offers to mediate on Iran

European airports start to reopen for flights - BBC

Planes have been taking off from Paris, Madrid and Frankfurt - however many flights remain cancelled.

Europe starts to resume flights
First flights run after ash chaos
اقدام اتحادیه اروپا در جهت کاهش محدودیت پروازها
تبعات اقتصادی خاکسترهای آتشفشانی آیسلند

مدارس دینی، تبدیل به مراکز انتحاری شده است!

گروه های تند رو القاعده و طالبان با استفاده از مربیان با تجربه پاکستانی، جوانان ساده و پاک را به بهانه دفاع از اسلام، شستشوی مغزی داده و آنها را بر علیه خارجی ها تحریک و وادار به حملات انتحاری می نمایند

به گزارش بخش سیاسی شبکه اطلاع رسانی افغانستان ( afghanpaper )، گروه های القاعده و طالبان با استفاده از مربیان پاکستانی ، مدارس دینی افغانستان را به عنوان مراکز فعالیت و پایگاه حملات انتحاری خود انتخاب می نمایند

متاسفانه به دلیل نبودن تسلط کافی از سوی وزارت معارف بر این مدارس خودجوش دینی، این مدارس به جای اینکه مهد و مرکز تعلیمات اسلامی باشد، طعمه ای شده است برای مخالفین. به این منظور که گروه های تند رو با استفاده از مربیان با تجربه که اکثرا پاکستانی هستند، جوانان ساده و پاک را به بهانه دفاع از اسلام، شستشوی مغزی داده و آنها را بر علیه خارجی ها تحریک و وادار به حملات انتحاری می نمایند

در حال حاضر صدها مدرسه دینی در سراسر کشور فعالیت دارند که اکثر شان خارج از نظام آموزشی دولتی کار می کنند و تاکنون دولت هیچ پلانی برای کنترل فعالیت این مدارس دینی نداشته است

در این میان تنها حمایت و کمکهای مالی کشورهای عربی و در راس آنها عربستان برای احیاء و ابقاء این مدارس می ماند. که با این وجود شرح حال آینده این مدارس لازم به توضیح نیست . زیرا عربستان در دو قرن اخیر تحت تاثیر یک مذهب تازه تاسیس انگلیسی به نام وهابیت قرار گرفته است که تحت اندیشه های نو ظهور بسیاری از مسلمانان اعم از سنی و شیعه را به بهانه های مختلف به خاک و خون کشیده است و تا کنون هیچ عملیاتی از گروه وهابیت بر علیه کفر به ثبت نرسیده است مگر کشتار مسلمانان

مدارس دینی، تبدیل به مراکز انتحاری شده است!

Monday, April 19, 2010

Afghanistan conference in Kabul on July 20: US

WASHINGTON — An international conference will take place in Kabul in July to support Afghanistan's government as Washington and Kabul put their troubles behind them, US envoy Richard Holbrooke said Monday.

US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and other senior foreign officials will take part in the July 20 event, which follows a London conference on Afghanistan in January, Holbrooke told reporters.

Next Afghan conference set for July 20 - Holbrooke Reuters UK
The Rehearsal of Concept Drill in Kabul, Upcoming visit of President Karzai ... US Department of State

پر افغانستان بل نړيوال کانفرانس کابل کې کيږي
ناټو په سياسي بهير کې د طالبانو د ورګډېدا ملاتړ کوي

Obama administration says conflict with Karzai is resolved - washingtonpost

The Obama administration declared its problems with Afghan President Hamid Karzai to be a thing of the past on Monday, announcing that Karzai will visit Washington on May 10-14 for meetings at the White House and with the administration's top national security officials.

An Afghan "peace jirga" with political and tribal representatives -- possibly including insurgent leaders -- that Karzai had set for early next month has been postponed until May 20, following the U.S. visit, Holbrooke said.

Obama administration resolves conflict with Karzai - Karen DeYoung
Quake hits central Afghanistan, at least 7 killed

Work Begins on Canal Project to Stop Flooding in Kabul
U.S., Afghanistan Partner to Improve Local Governance, Services

European Flights Resume, But Ash Still A Threat - NPR

Europe began to emerge from a volcanic cloud Monday, allowing limited air traffic to resume and giving hope to millions of travelers stranded around the world when ash choked the jet age to a halt.

European Flights Resume, But Ash Still A Threat

Distrust Of Government Undermines Obama's Support : NPR

Distrust Of Government Undermines Obama's Support - Listen to the Story

PEW POLL: Trust In Government Hits Near-Historic Low
Series Overview: Trust In Government

Iceland volcano costs US companies millions of dollars

The Iceland volcano has also disrupted tourism, trade in goods, and other economic activities for the US.

Iceland volcano costs US companies millions of dollars
Volcanic ash cloud economics: Europe's winners and losers

Bill Clinton's warning on extremist mood in US - Guardian

Bill Clinton today warned politicians and commentators to tone down their rhetoric for fear of inflaming hate groups and provoking violence, as a poll suggested that public trust in the US government is at its lowest point for half a century.

Clinton warns against extremism

US, Russia urge world to build on their nuclear pact‎

UNITED NATIONS — On the back of their recent atomic arms reduction accord, the United States and Russia urged all UN member states Monday to follow their lead with further progress towards nuclear disarmament.

US, Russia urge world to build on their nuclear pact‎
U.S. open to Iran nuclear fuel deal despite doubts Reuters
Washington Post - Times Online

واقعیت اصلی اظهارات طالبان چیست؟

برخی از کارشناسان مسائل سیاسی معتقدند که این طرح یک طرح پاکستانی می باشد با این مضمون که طالبان هيچ گاه در مقابل فشارهاي نظامي آمريكا سر تعظيم فرود نياورده اند لذا فشارهاي نظامي بر تصميم گيري هاي رهبر طالبان هيچ تاثيري ندارد

برخی دیگر از آگاهان سیاسی بر این باورند که این یک نقشه مطرح شده از سوی غربیهاست که با یک هدف معین از سال گذشته پی ریزی و در حال اجرا شدن است. غربیها در حالی که هیچ موفقیت چشمگیری در عملیات نظامی شان در مناطق مختلف کشور نداشتند، اذعان داشته اند که طالبان برای صلح آمادگی می گیرند و این نشانه موفقیت نیروهای نظامی در افغانستان است

غربیها با انجام این نقشه قصد دارند تا علاوه بر رسیدن به اهداف مشخص خود، نتیجه لشکر کشی به افغانستان را در نظر مردم جهان مثبت جلوه داده و این تغییر را حاصل تدبیر ریاست جمهوری جدید آمریکا نشان دهند

از سوی دیگر این دیدگاه نیز و جود دارد که اين اظهارات نتيجه توافقات سري و پشت پرده ای است که بین دولت کنونی افغانستان و شبه نظامیان طالبان صورت گرفته است. چرا که این نمایندگان طالبان ( که البته خود را نماینده و یا سخنگوی طالبان معرفی ننموده اند) اظهار داشته اند: طالبان تا کنون با چند تن از وزراء کابینه مذاکرات مخفی داشته اند ولی با خود شخص کرزی هیچگاه وارد گفتگو نشده اند

اما سوال این است که چگونه طالبانی که بارها به درخواست رئیس جمهور کرزی مبنی بر پذیرش صلح جواب رد داده بودند، اکنون خواستار مذاکره و بیان مصالحه آن هم بدون شرایط پیش شرط شده اند؟

Taliban may be ready to talk peace - The Sunday Times

وردک شایستگی ریاست جرگه مشورتی را دارد؟!
No peace without justice, says envoy to Afghanistan‎

The Dancing Boys of Afghanistan - On air and online April 20, 2010 at 9:00pm

FRONTLINE GOES UNDERCOVER TO EXPOSE THE RITUAL SEXUAL ABUSE OF BOYS IN AFGHANISTAN

www.pbs.org/frontline/dancingboys

انیسه وهاب چشم از جهان پوشید

انیسه وهاب، هنرپیشه سابقه دار و معروف سینما و تئاتر افغانستان که از مدتی از بیماری تومور مغزی رنج می برد، چشم از جهان پوشید

او هفت ساله بود که کارهای هنری خود را با برنامه های کودکان در رادیوی دولتی افغانستان شروع کرد و درست یک سال بعد، پس از آنکه در نمایشنامه ای مشهور افغانی به "عاطفه" نقش بازی کرد، برنده جایزه اول هنری همان سال شد

انیسه وهاب چشم از جهان پوشید
انیسه وهاب ستاره تیاتر افغانستان چشم از جهان بست

Group challenging enhanced surveillance law faces uphill climb - washingtonpost

A group of lawyers, human rights activists and journalists argued in a federal appeals court on Friday that a 2008 update to U.S. surveillance law has made their e-mails and phone calls more susceptible to government interception and that, as a result, they are forgoing conversations and flying overseas rather than making phone calls or writing e-mails.

In 1978, Congress passed the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act, which ensured that Americans' communications would not be tapped in the course of intelligence investigations without a warrant. The law came in response to a string of abuses by government intelligence agents in the 1960s and 1970s that included spying on civil rights and antiwar activists.

For group, surveillance law is elusive legal target - Ellen Nakashima
Pentagon working to provide more oversight of defense contractors

No peace without justice, says envoy to Afghanistan - The Canadian Press

KANDAHAR, Afghanistan — Any possible peace deal with insurgents will be almost impossible to achieve in Afghanistan until the country comes to grips with the war crimes that have bloodied its recent past, says Canada's ambassador to Kabul.

Human rights violations are not limited to insurgents. Afghanistan's parliament is stacked with former warlords, many with blood on their hands, from the country's chaotic civil war in the early 1990s.

"Canada has long supported the concept of transitional justice. That is to say, those who have committed atrocities -- not just those who are insurgents -- but those who may be part of the political process now should, in one way or another, account for their actions."

The Afghan government in 2005 established, but never implemented, a transitional justice system. The program set a deadline of March 2009 to investigate, document and bring war criminals to justice.

"It was a total disaster," said Ahmal Samadi of Afghanistan Rights Monitor, a human-rights group. "No single criminal was identified; no one brought to justice."

There was no political will among the Karzai government, nor the international community, which did not provide the support and expertise to carry out proper forensic investigations, he said.

Samadi said Afghans are harbouring pent-up anger and frustration.

No peace without justice, says envoy to Afghanistan‎

Afghan police arrest 9 in plot for Kabul attacks‎

KABUL — Afghan security forces arrested nine members of a terrorist cell and seized nearly a quarter-ton of explosives, foiling a plot to stage suicide bombings and other attacks in Kabul, the country's intelligence service said Monday.

Afghan police arrest 9 in plot for Kabul attacks‎
Quake hits central Afghanistan, at least 7 killed

Kabul Alarmed By Iran's Executions Of Afghan Prisoners

Iranian officials have not yet commented on the issue, while the Afghan government says it is investigating the reports.

"These reports shocked the Afghan government and the Foreign Ministry of Afghanistan is seriously following the issue through diplomatic and security sources," Faqiri said.

Kabul Alarmed By Iran's Executions Of Afghan Prisoners - Radio ...

NATO aims to fight Afghan crooks -- without naming them‎

KANDAHAR, Afghanistan (Reuters) - NATO officials in Afghanistan often say the only way they will win the war is to break the grip of "malign actors" -- crooked officials and others who have soured Afghans on their government.

NATO officials' refusal to publicly accuse the "malign actors" -- their catch-all term for crime bosses, corrupt officials, drug lords and warlords -- has raised fears the new offensive will leave the crooks in place, stronger than ever.

NATO aims to fight Afghan crooks -- without naming them‎
NATO Aims to Fight Afghan Crooks - - Without Naming Them - NYTimes.com

Volcanic ash cloud restrictions 'embarrasssing', say airlines

Comprehensive restrictions on flights across Europe resulting from volcanic ash floating over from Iceland are an “embarrassment”, an airline chief has claimed, as calls intensify for the no fly ban to be lifted.

Volcanic ash cloud restrictions 'embarrasssing', say airlines

Afghanistan: UN envoy recommends release of international funds for elections

The highest United Nations official in Afghanistan today recommended the release of international assistance for parliamentary elections to be held later this year, following a meeting with President Hamid Karzai and other Afghan officials in which new senior election commission members were appointed and a question about women candidates clarified.

Afghanistan: UN envoy recommends release of international funds for elections

رکن چهارم: فشار منابع مالی بر روزنامه ها (3)

تاثیرگذاری منابع بر کار روزنامه‌ها محور اصلی جنجال‌های دامنه‌دار در باره مسائل مالی آن‌ها است. روزنامه های افغانستان از منابع مختلفی، از دارایی شخصی صاحب امتیاز تا منابع مختلف خارجی پول می‌گیرند

سنجر سهیل، صاحب امتیاز روزنامه هشت صبح این منابع را چنین دسته‌بندی می‌کند: "گروه‌های سیاسی حاکم، که البته شامل حکومت هم می‌شود، احزاب سیاسی جهادی و شخصیت‌های بانفوذ سیاسی و اقتصادی، کشورهای همسایه، کشورهای خلیج فارس و جامعه بین‌المللی، که عمدتاً شامل کشورهای غربی می‌شود."

"شماری از روزنامه‌ها هستند که از سوی کشورهای همسایه تمویل می‌شوند و این‌ها خطوط جدگانه‌ای را تعقیب می‌کنند."

رکن چهارم: فشار منابع مالی بر روزنامه ها (3)
رکن چهارم: منابع مالی روزنامه ها (2)

زمین لرزه در افغانستان چندین کشته برجا گذاشت

EU emergency talks called on volcanic ash air chaos - BBC

EU transport ministers are to hold emergency talks by video conference on easing the air travel crisis caused by a volcanic ash cloud in Europe's skies.

More than 6.8 million passengers have been affected so far, as the crisis enters its fifth day. EU Transport Commissioner Siim Kallas said: "We cannot just wait until this ash cloud dissipates."

Airspace remains closed, or partially closed, in more than 20 countries.

EU emergency talks on air chaos
Ash chaos costing TUI £5m a day

Sunday, April 18, 2010

Hope for Targeted Lung-Cancer Treatment - WSJ

WASHINGTON—An unusual clinical trial involving four different drugs offered promise that guiding treatment based on the molecular traits of a tumor can improve survival from lung cancer.

Hope for Targeted Lung-Cancer Treatment Wall Street Journal
BusinessWeek - MedPage Today
Testing lung tumors tailors chemotherapy Reuters
Lung cancer researchers suspect therapy can be targeted to specific patients

Survey Reports - Distrust, Discontent, Anger and Partisan Rancor

By almost every conceivable measure Americans are less positive and more critical of government these days. A new Pew Research Center survey finds a perfect storm of conditions associated with distrust of government – a dismal economy, an unhappy public, bitter partisan-based backlash, and epic discontent with Congress and elected officials.

The current survey and previous research have found that there is no single factor that drives general public distrust in government. Instead, there are several factors – and all are currently present.

Pew Research Center for the People and the Press

نظر پوښتنه: د امريکا دريځ ښه شوی دی

Few trust the government, poll finds - latimes

In previous times of similar mistrust, Ronald Reagan was elected president and the GOP took control of the House.

Interest in government regulation has declined, with one exception, Pew says: "A clear majority [61%] says it is a good idea for the government to more strictly regulate the way major financial companies do business, which is virtually unchanged from last April [60%]."

Poll: Majority lacks trust in government - The Associated Press
Majority of Americans distrust the government: survey - Washington Post
Wall Street Journal - BusinessWeek - NPR
Pew Research Center for the People and the Press

Italy aid workers freed in Kabul in good condition‎

KABUL (Reuters) - Three Italian aid workers arrested a week ago in Afghanistan were freed on Sunday and are in good condition, the United Nations and the Italian government said.

The three were detained on suspicion of plotting to kill a provincial governor but have now been declared not guilty by Afghanistan's intelligence agency.

Emergency -- which has operated hospitals and health clinics across some of the most dangerous parts of Afghanistan even under Taliban rule before 2001 -- has a high profile in Italy and the case shocked public opinion there.

Italy aid workers freed in Kabul in good condition‎
ایتالیایی های مظنون به توطئه در هلمند آزاد شدند

Karzai worried over recent US courtship of Pak: Experts - Yahoo ...

shington, Apr.18 (ANI): The relationship between US President Barack Obama with his Afghan counterpart Hamid Karzai has turned sour in the recent past, and experts believe that Karzai fears the recent courtship of Pakistan is a preparation for granting Islamabad keys to war ravaged Afghanistan.

Experts pointed out that Karzai feels that the Obama Administration is dictating terms to him and fears that the White House may turn towards Pakistan.

Karzai worried over recent US courtship of Pak: Experts - Yahoo ...
Work Begins on Canal Project to Stop Flooding in Kabul

Factbox: European airports and airspace closed by ash cloud - Reuters

Here is a list of countries as of 2030 GMT on Sunday and their airspace status:

Factbox: European airports and airspace closed by ash cloud - Reuters
Ministers mull volcano ash cloud flight chaos measures - BBC News
The Associated Press - Aljazeera.net

Extended Airspace Closures Will Hurt EU Recovery

The extended closure of European airspace because of a cloud of volcanic ash threatens to snuff out the region's feeble economic recovery and has prompted airlines to take unusual measures in an effort to regain some control of the situation. - Wall Street Journal

Airlines carry out test flights in Europe's ash-filled skies

Polish president and his wife laid to rest

Krakow, Poland (CNN) -- Poland's first couple was laid to rest on Sunday, marking the end of a journey filled with grief for the central European nation.

"Michelle and I continue to have the Polish people in our thoughts and prayers, and will support them in any way I can as they recover from this terrible tragedy," Obama said in a statement, expressing his regret at being unable to attend. - CNN

BBC News - The Guardian

A somber Poland lays Lech Kaczynski to rest - latimes

The president, killed last week in a plane crash, is buried alongside Poland's most revered figures after a funeral Mass and procession to the nation's most sacred cathedral in Krakow.

A somber Poland lays Lech Kaczynski to rest
Eastern Europe comes together to mourn Poland's President Times Online
CNN - Reuters - BBC News - The Guardian
Poles turn out for state funeral Aljazeera.net

Saturday, April 17, 2010

Taliban may be ready to talk peace - The Sunday Times

“All the mujaheddin seek is to expel the foreigners, these invaders, from our country and then to repair the country’s constitution. We are not interested in running the country as long as these things are achieved.”

“Now all we’re doing is driving the invader out. We will leave politics to civil society and return to our madrasahs [religious schools].”

Another Taliban source with close links to the Quetta shura said the movement was willing to talk directly to “credible” western politicians, including Americans, but not to intelligence agencies such as the CIA.

According to a Nato intelligence source, Taliban representatives have established direct contact with several ministers in President Hamid Karzai’s government. But they refuse to have any direct contact with Karzai, whom they regard as an “illegitimate puppet”.

Asked about a forthcoming Nato offensive in the Kandahar region, a local Taliban commander who sat alongside the two scholars boasted: “We’re ready for this. We’re going to break the Americans’ teeth.”

“There will be no surprise there,” said Abdul Rashid. “We have our people inside all positions in the city, in the government and the security forces.”

“People don’t trust the foreigners because they are backing the warlords. People are fed up with crime and brutality and that’s a big problem for the Americans. We’re well positioned, with supporters everywhere.”

Taliban may be ready to talk peace

Beer, wine and women seized by vice police in Kabul restaurants raid - Times

Afghanistan’s “vice and virtue” police have raided Western bars and restaurants in Kabul, seizing thousands of gallons of alcohol and arresting at least six waitresses, accusing them of being prostitutes.

Kabul vice police seize beer, wine and women
Can Afghanistan President Karzai and Obama still work together?

Air Travel Crisis Deepens as Europe Fears Wider Impact

PARIS — As an increasingly large part of European airspace was shut down for the third day on Saturday and the towering fountain of ash from an Icelandic volcano showed no signs of letting up, questions about the long-term impact of the eruption were being raised in a continent trying to recover from recession.

Air Travel Crisis Deepens as Europe Fears Wider Impact
Europe-Bound Travelers in U.S. Struggle to Cope

«اعدام افغانها در ایران نشان میدهد که آنها در چه وضع قرار دارند»

اعدام سه تبعه افغان به جرم قاچاق مواد مخدر در جمهوری اسلامی ایران نشان می دهد که وضع افغان ها در ایران چگونه است و افغانها به چه ترتیب در سیستم قضایی این کشور گیر مانده اند

به هر صورت، شرح حال و احوال زندانیان در مجموع، از روند یک سیستم غیر کافی و غیر مطمین قضایی خاصتاً برای اتباع افغان حکایت دارد. چنانچه چندین زندانی افغان گفتند، آنها هیچ گاه به محاکمه آورده نه شدند تا با اتهامات علیه آن ها روبرو شوند. حق که در قانون اساسی و قانون جزایی ایران تضمین گردیده است. حق دفاع، یک اصل قانونی است که در اعلامیه جهانی حقوق بشر ملل متحد درج شده است

به اساس بیانات زندانیان، مقامات ایرانی حتی حقایق اساسی را در مورد اتهامات برای آنها اطلاع نداده اند. چندین زندانی افغان گفتند، حکم نهایی محکمه روشن نبوده و حتی به صورت رسمی برای آن ها ابلاغ نه شده است

«اعدام افغانها در ایران نشان میدهد که آنها در چه وضع قرار دارند»

Gates Says U.S. Lacks Policy to Curb Iran’s Nuclear Drive - nytimes

WASHINGTON — Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates has warned in a secret three-page memorandum to top White House officials that the United States does not have an effective long-range policy for dealing with Iran’s steady progress toward nuclear capability, according to government officials familiar with the document.

Gates Says U.S. Lacks Policy to Curb Iran’s Nuclear Drive
White House 'not ready' for nuclear Iran
Gates says U.S. lacks plan to curb Iran's nuke drive: report Reuters

Greek Two-Year Notes Rise on EU-IMF 45 Billion Euro Aid Package

April 17 (Bloomberg) -- Greek two-year notes posted their first weekly advance since March after the European Union and the International Monetary Fund agreed to a 45 billion-euro ($61 billion) plan to help Greece avoid a default.

Greek Two-Year Notes Rise on EU-IMF 45 Billion Euro Aid Package
Greeks cutting back as EU/IMF help looms-survey Reuters
Greece To Decide On EU/IMF Aid 'In Next Few Weeks' - PM Wall Street Journal

At Iran nuclear summit, Ahmadinejad calls for US to disarm first - Thomas Erdbrink

The two-day forum, titled "Nuclear energy for all, nuclear weapons for none," came a week after the Nuclear Security Summit to which the Islamic republic was not invited. The United States was not invited to the Tehran conference.

At Iran nuclear summit, Ahmadinejad calls for US to disarm first
Iran lashes out at US during its own nuclear summit Los Angeles Times

World leaders struggle to reach Poland for funeral

Warsaw, Poland (CNN) -- The White House announced Saturday that President Obama was canceling his trip to the funeral because of the snarled air traffic.

World leaders struggle to reach Poland for funeral CNN
Ash cloud forces President Barack Obama to cancel trip to funeral for ... New York Daily News
Ash may hover for days over uncertain Europe - AP

Learning to work with our man in Afghanistan - Fareed Zakaria

President Obama keeps saying that he intends to win the war in Afghanistan. "There will be difficult days ahead, but I am absolutely confident that we will succeed," he promised in this year's State of the Union address.

This is Afghanistan we're talking about -- one of the five poorest countries in the world, destroyed by 30 years of war. It has a tribal culture and a literacy rate that's among the lowest on Earth. This climate would be challenging for anyone.

A perceptive essay by Barnard professor Sheri Berman in the current issue of Foreign Affairs explains that the real challenge facing Afghanistan is state-building, not nation-building. History suggests the job will require a long, arduous process of centralizing political power and authority. In other words, the Kabul government will need to become stronger over time.

Fareed Zakaria - Learning to work with our man in Afghanistan
perceptive essay by Barnard professor Sheri Berman in the current issue of Foreign Affairs

President Obama has a right to criticize Hamid Karzai - Daniel Gregory

If Fareed Zakaria ["Coming to terms with Karzai," op-ed, April 12] would like Americans to continue sending our aid and, more significantly, our service members to Afghanistan, he should accept that President Obama owes our citizens and international partners a fair public assessment of Afghanistan President Hamid Karzai.

A right to criticize Hamid Karzai
Afghan president appoints electoral officials

Crisis Deepens for Air Travel as Volcanic Ash Spreads East

PARIS — Europe’s three largest airports — London Heathrow, Frankfurt and Paris-Charles de Gaulle — were all shut on Saturday, with officials hoping that flights could resume sometime Sunday or, more likely, Monday.

Airport Crisis Spreads as Ash Moves East

پناهجویان افغان قربانی حمله تروریستی در اروپا

این داستان یکی از صدها خانواده پناهجوی افغان در گوشه و کنار جهان است

فرار از جنگ و ناامنی سه دهه پیش در افغانستان آغاز شد. پناهجویان افغان را هنوز در هرگوشه از جهان می توان یافت، از جزیره کرسمس در اقیانوس هند گرفته، تا اردوگاه های

اغلب این پناهجویان مدعی اند که از ترس مرگ و برای حفظ جان شان از کشور خود فرار کرده اند. اما این فرارها همیشه به ساحل امن و مقصد مطمئن نمی انجامند
پناهندگان در پاکستان و کشور های اروپایی

پناهجویان افغان قربانی حمله تروریستی در اروپا
رئیس کمیسیون انتخابات افغانستان معرفی شد

Volcanic ash: Europe flights grounded for third day - BBC

Virtually all of Europe's major airports remain closed as a huge plume of volcanic ash drifts south and east across the continent from Iceland.
Airlines are losing some £130m ($200m) a day in an unprecedented shutdown of commercial air travel.

Ash deepens Europe travel chaos
Ash causes more flight disruption

Friday, April 16, 2010

Why we should buy Afghan pomegranates - Telegraph

Pomegranates have long been the pride of Afghan agriculture, but have now become a weapon in international-led efforts to curb opium production and fight the rural poverty that is feeding the Taliban insurgency. Demand for the fruit has risen steeply in the West on the back of its fabled health-giving properties. Now, American agricultural advisers are working with the Afghan government to help farmers tap that demand and earn an alternative livelihood to poppy cultivation by showing how, with marketing and packaging, they can raise prices.

Why we should buy Afghan pomegranates - Telegraph

Pollen's more concentrated this year - latimes

Allergies in some places are worse than usual. Blame a late winter that delayed some trees from flowering, forcing them all into bloom at the same time.

But it's not that trees are producing record amounts of pollen. It's that so many trees are making pollen at the same time.

Pollen's more concentrated this year

Why Atheists Are More Intelligent than the Religious - Evolutionary Psychology

It is natural to believe in God, so more intelligent individuals are more likely to be atheists. Religion is a cultural universal, and its practice is observed in every known human society.

Why Atheists Are More Intelligent than the Religious

On Tax Day, Another Look at the President's Relief for Middle Class Families - whitehouse.gov

The Recovery Act: As the President noted in his last Weekly Address, you can get a good handle on how the Recovery Act might help you out on your taxes through our Tax Savings Tool. Here’s a glance at the benefits to working families and small businesses:

On Tax Day, Another Look at the President's Relief for Middle Class Families
Weekly Address: Relief for the Middle Class at Tax Time

Goldman Sachs, Google, Lions Gate, Phase Forward,

SAN FRANCISCO (MarketWatch) -- Shares of the following companies were making noteworthy moves in the U.S. stock market on Friday:

Goldman Sachs, Google, Lions Gate, Phase Forward,
Bank Stocks Lead Wall Street Lower - nytimes

Commodities Fall Fast On Goldman Fraud Allegations-Wall Street Journal
SEC subprime probe adds Goldman Sachs to list - MarketWatch
BusinessWeek - CNNMoney

Experts Seek Clues to How Long Eruption Will Go On - nytimes

As an Icelandic volcano spewed more ash on Friday, disrupting air travel in Europe for a second day, the big question for scientists was how long the eruption might continue.

Experts Seek Clues to How Long Eruption Will Go On - New York Times

US Afghan commander: 'We have too many contractors'

PARIS — The US commander in Afghanistan said Friday that the military is wasting money by employing too many private contractors to do jobs better done by soldiers or local Afghans.

"We have created in ourselves a dependency on contractors that is greater than it ought to be," General Stanley McChrystal told an audience of French officers and military experts at France's defence university in Paris.

According to a US Congressional report, citing figures from US Central Command, in September last year there were 104,100 Department of Defense contractors assigned to Afghanistan compared to only 63,950 troops....

US Afghan commander: 'We have too many contractors'‎
«قوای خارجی در افغانستان بیش از حد به کمپنی های امنیتی تکیه کرده اند»

Commentary: 'Blood money' angers Afghans - McClatchy

KABUL, Afghanistan — The system by which Afghans and their families are compensated if they are injured in an American military attack has increasingly become a source of outrage among Afghans who say they feel a price is being put on their lives.

According to published reports, American military commanders are authorized to pay between $1,500 and $2,500 to a family that has lost a child or an adult. The loss of a limb or other injury is worth between $600 and $1,500; a damaged or destroyed vehicle, $500 to $2,500; damage to a farmer's fields is worth between $50 and $250.

"Afghans must seem like animals to the Americans if they can put prices on them," said Ismail, a 55-year-old Afghan businessman in Kabul.

"If someone killed an American and offered to pay $10,000, would they accept it?" he asked. "They destroy a complete village if one of their soldiers is killed, but set a price of $2,500 for an Afghan's life."

American officials defended the practice. These are "payments of money or donations in kind made to a victim or victim's family as an expression of sympathy," said military spokesman Lt. Col. Todd Vician. "There is no official 'price list' to cover payments to people or families who have suffered loss or injury as a result of action by coalition forces," he said.

Commentary: 'Blood money' angers Afghans | McClatchy

Frustrated and fearful, Afghans blame both U.S. and Taliban for lack of security - KATHY GANNON

With a U.S.-led offensive only weeks away to clear the Taliban from this key southern city, many residents blame foreign troops and the Afghan government as much as the Taliban for pushing Kandahar toward the brink of chaos -- the very thing the military hopes to reverse.

Frustrated and fearful, Afghans blame both U.S. and Taliban for lack of security

Top UN envoy to Afghanistan urges greater efforts to avoid civilian casualties

15 April 2010 – The top United Nations envoy in Afghanistan today voiced his concern over a “disturbing trend” of civilian casualties caused by recent international military operations in the country, urging greater efforts to protect non-combatants.

Top UN envoy to Afghanistan urges greater efforts to avoid civilian casualties

«اردو و استخبارات پاکستان مانع تحقیقات قتل بی نظیر بهتو شدند»

UN report on Bhutto murder finds Pakistani officials ‘failed profoundly’

15 April 2010 – Security arrangements by Pakistan’s federal and local authorities to protect assassinated Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto were “fatally insufficient and ineffective” and subsequent investigations into her death were prejudiced and involved a whitewash, an independent United Nations inquiry reported today.

Pakistani Government ‘failed profoundly’ to prevent murder of Bhutto – UN report

Europe flights could be grounded into weekend by ash - BBC

Flights across much of Europe are being cancelled on a second day of massive disruption caused by drifting ash ejected from a volcano in Iceland.

The UK, Irish Republic, Denmark, Norway, Sweden, Finland, Belgium and the Netherlands closed their airspace on Thursday.

Europe faces prolonged air chaos

UN inquiry says Benazir Bhutto murder was 'avoidable' - BBC

A long-awaited UN report into the killing of Pakistani politician Benazir Bhutto two years ago has been highly critical of the government of the day.

The report, compiled by an independent commission appointed by the UN, concluded that the pervasive presence of Pakistan's politicised intelligence agencies hampered the investigation.

Benazir Bhutto murder 'avoidable'

The Iceland volcano ash problem: European flight disruption

In Europe a number of countries' airports remained off-limits last night. Authorities in Ireland, Denmark, Norway, Sweden, Finland and Belgium closed their airspace, while France shut down 24 airports, including the main hub of Charles de Gaulle in Paris.

Icelandic ash cloud over Europe shuts all UK airports

Volcanic ash to reach ground level - Telegraph

The Health Protection Agency (HPA) said the ash should not cause serious harm but could cause irritation, particularly to those with respiratory conditions.

Volcanic ash to reach ground level
Volcano ash chaos: previous eruption 'lasted more than a year'

Afghanistan war: US leaves remote outpost of Korengal

The remote Korengal Valley has been the scene of some the most intense fighting in the Afghanistan war. US troops have pulled out as part General McChrystal's counterinsurgency strategy.

Afghanistan war: US leaves remote outpost of Korengal

Tax Day 101: How some millionaires can owe no taxes

After all, the US tax code is set up to lean hardest on people with higher incomes, and $1 million is high by any standard.

Yet 959 tax filers had that much income and were not taxed, according to latest (2007) data from the Internal Revenue Service. And, as the earlier Monitor article reported, 1,646 tax filers with incomes between $500,000 and $1 million were "nontaxable," or owed no tax that year.

Tax Day 101: How some millionaires can owe no taxes
Tax day 101: How is the tax code changing under Obama?

Congress passes jobless benefits extension - latimes

President Obama signed an extension of jobless benefits for the long-term unemployed Thursday night that will allow those whose aid expired to apply retroactively.

Congress passes jobless benefits extension
For many, being jobless can seem never-ending

Thursday, April 15, 2010

Obamas pay $1.8 million in federal taxes - USA Today

President Obama and his wife, Michelle, paid $1.8 million in federal taxes for 2009, from an income of $5.5 million -- more than twice what they made in the previous year, the White House announced on its blog today.

Beyond the Nobel money, Mr. and Mrs. Obama also reported donating $329,100 to 40 different charities.

Obamas pay $1.8 million in federal taxes
President Barack Obama tax return reveals he made $5.5M in 2009, largely from ... New York Daily News
White House releases Obamas' 2009 tax returns - Washington Post

Obama on Afghan: We can't be there in perpetuity

SYDNEY -- Defending his troop surge strategy, President Barack Obama said Thursday that things in Afghanistan are getting better not worse and his plans to start withdrawing U.S. forces next year are on track.

Obama reiterated his plan to begin drawing down U.S. troops in 2011 and handing responsibility for security to domestic forces in Afghanistan.

Obama on Afghan: We can't be there in perpetuity
Marines pay Afghan farmers to destroy opium

جرگه مشورتي صلح از نگاه ديگر؛ كمپاين براي رييس جمهور آينده

برگزار كنندگان جرگه مشورتي صلح خبر داده اند كه به تاريخ 12 ثور سال جاري اين جرگه را در شهر كابل برگزار مي كنند. به عنوان مقدمات برگزاري اين جرگه مشورتي، دانشگاه پولي تخنيك كابل تعطيل شده و دانشجويان اين مركز تحصيلي به رخصتي رفته اند

كارشناسان به اين باور مي باشند كه برگزاري اين جرگه با نام و عنوان مشورتي و دعوت از مشران و متنفذان كشور در كنار نمايندگان پارلمان، به اين هدف صورت مي گيرد كه از همين اكنون يك چهره سياسي جايگزين براي قرار گرفتن در مسند رياست جمهوري براي متنفذان و مشران عرضه و معرفي گردد تا زمينه ذهني كمپاين در آينده براي وي وجود داشته باشد

با توجه به اين كه حامد كرزي در صورت عدم تغيير قانون اساسي نمي تواند بعد از پنج سال دوم در قدرت باقي بماند، در نظر دارد تا با ايجاد يك تيم با افراد همسو با خود، حضور دوامدار خود را در قدرت فراهم نمايد. همين موضوع باعث گرديده است تا برخي از كارشناسان، برگزاري جرگه مشورتي صلح را زمينه سازي تيم برسر قدرت براي كمپاين قبل از وقت براي معرفي يك چهره سياسي جديد تلقي كند

آنچه با توجه به اين بحث مي توان مطرح كرد اين است كه چهره سياسي كه آقاي كرزي و تيم برسر قدرت مي خواهند آن را در ديدرس مردم قرار داده و براي مردم معرفي كنند، چه كسي خواهد بود؟

رخصتي دانشجويان دانشگاه پوليتخنيك كابل با اعتراضات گسترده محصلين مواجه شده است. با قرار گرفتن آقاي وردك در راس كميته برگزاري جرگه مشورتي، به كاركرد نهاد معارف نيز صدمه مي رسد. زيرا آقاي وردك بايد بخشي از وقت خود را كه بايد براي سازماندهي معارف به مصرف برساند، به تدارك جرگه مشورتي و چانه زني هاي مربوط به انتخاب و گزينش شركت كنندگان در جرگه اختصاص مي دهد. از اين رو ديده مي شود كه اين جرگه بر معارف نيز تاثير مي گذارد

جرگه مشورتي صلح از نگاه ديگر؛ كمپاين براي رييس جمهور آينده
حمایت شورای علما از انتقادهای کرزی بر غرب؛ چرا سکوت در سایر موارد ؟
حمایت شورای علما از اظهارات ضد غربی حامد کرزی

Volcanic Ash Closes Down Air Traffic in North Europe - nytimes

PARIS — Civil aviation authorities closed airspace and shut down airports in Britain, France, Scandinavia and other parts of Europe on Thursday as a high-altitude cloud of ash drifted south and east from an erupting volcano in Iceland.

Volcanic Ash Closes Down Air Traffic in North Europe
Iceland Evacuates Hundreds as Volcano Erupts Again

Afghanistan : Armed conflict forces increasing numbers of Afghans to flee their homes

The latest estimates indicate that 240,000 persons are currently internally displaced due to armed conflict and insecurity.

Armed conflict forces increasing numbers of Afghans to flee their homes - iDMC
IDMC : Internal Displacement Monitoring Centre | Countries ...

Afghanistan: Searching for Political Agreement‎ - Carnegie Endowment

Coalition strategy in Afghanistan has reached an impasse: tactical successes will not defeat the Taliban while Pakistan offers sanctuary, nor can security be “Afghanized” by a government that lacks legitimacy and is irreparably unpopular. A less costly—both in lives and money—and more effective option would be a negotiated agreement with the Taliban that paves the way for a unity government.

Afghanistan: Searching for Political Agreement‎

Icelandic volcanic ash alert grounds UK flights - BBC

All flights in and out of the UK and several other European countries have been suspended as ash from a volcanic eruption in Iceland moves south.

Ash cloud silences Heathrow skies
North Europe hit by volcanic ash
Live: Volcanic cloud over Europe

After the Fort Hood shootings, a Muslim American soldier battles on friendly ground

At 2 o'clock on a Monday morning, the sound of angry pounding sent Army Spec. Zachari Klawonn bolting out of bed.

Someone was mule-kicking the door of his barracks room, leaving marks that weeks later -- long after Army investigators had come and gone -- would still be visible.

The slur itself was nothing new. Klawonn, 20, the son of an American father and a Moroccan mother, had been called worse in the military. But the fact that someone had tracked him down in the dead of night to deliver this specific message sent a chill through his body.

Before he enlisted, the recruiters in his home town of Bradenton, Fla., had told him that the Army desperately needed Muslim soldiers like him to help win the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Yet ever since, he had been filing complaint after complaint with his commanders. After he was ordered not to fast and pray. After his Koran was torn up. After other soldiers jeered and threw water bottles at him. After his platoon sergeant warned him to hide his faith to avoid getting a "beating" by fellow troops. But nothing changed.

After the Fort Hood shootings, a Muslim American soldier battles ...
Serving his country, testing his faith
Coming to terms with a Muslim identity in the U.S. Army

Soldier Under Fire - Nightline

A Muslim soldier at Fort Hood deals with prejudice and taunting.

Soldier Under Fire - ABC News

Coming to terms with a Muslim identity in the U.S. Army ...
After the Fort Hood shootings, a Muslim American soldier battles - washingtonpost

Poll Finds Tea Party Backers Wealthier and More Educated - nytimes

They hold more conservative views on a range of issues than Republicans generally. They are also more likely to describe themselves as “very conservative” and President Obama as “very liberal.”

And while most Republicans say they are “dissatisfied” with Washington, Tea Party supporters are more likely to classify themselves as “angry.”

But while most Americans blame the Bush administration or Wall Street for the current state of the American economy, the greatest number of Tea Party supporters blame Congress.

Poll Finds Tea Party Backers Wealthier and More Educated

Wednesday, April 14, 2010

جهان عاری از تسلیحات اتمی؛ از رویا تا واقعیت

کابوس انفجار هسته ای از جنگ اتمی بین دولت ها تا حمله اتمی گروه های تروریستی بارها دست مایه فیلم های سینمایی شده و مو بر تن تماشاگرها صاف کرده است . قارچ عظیمی از دود و آتش که به هوا می رود و هیچ جنبنده ای را زنده نمی گذارد. اما رهبران نزدیک به ۵۰ کشور جهان امضای خود را پای تفاهم نامه ای گذاشتند که خطر به واقعیت پیوستن این کابوس را تهدیدی جدی برای امنیت جمعی جهان می داند

این تفاهم نامه ۱۲ بندی حاصل دو روز بحث و گفتگو بین رهبرانی است که از چند گوشه جهان به واشنگتن آمدند تا در اجلاسی شرکت کنند که به میزبانی باراک اوباما رییس جمهوری آمریکا برگزارشد

کانادا، اوکراین، مکزیک و شیلی اورانیوم با غلظت بالای خود را به تاسیسات آمریکا خواهند فرستاد و در عوض، اورانیوم با غلظت پایین می گیرند. آرژانتین، پاکستان و مالزی نیز قراردادهایی امضا کرده اند که امنیت بنادر و بازرسی ها را افزایش دهند و با کمک آمریکا تکنولوژی لازم برای ردیابی مواد رادیواکتیو و اتمی را در این بازرسی ها به کار گیرند. و روسیه نیز حدود ۷۰ تن پلوتونیم تسلیحاتی خود را از میان خواهد برد.

جهان عاری از تسلیحات اتمی؛ از رویا تا واقعیت
روسیه و آمریکا از پلوتونیوم خود می کاهند
مذاکرات رهبران آمریکا و چین درباره تحریم ایران
دور دوم گفتگو درباره پیش نویس تحریم ایران انجام شد

Karzai, McChrystal Declare German Deployment Area a Crisis Zone

On Sunday, Afghan President Karzai and US chief commander McChyrstal met with tribal leaders in Kunduz. The spontaneous visit came as a surprise to the Germans forces in command of the northern area. Diplomats now believe it will become the site of a major new offensive.

Karzai, McChrystal Declare German Deployment Area a Crisis Zone
Facing Reality in Afghanistan: It's Time for Germans to Talk About War
Taliban Boosted by Foreign Help: German Soldiers Face New Enemy in Kunduz

In Mexico, Michelle Obama urges students to aim high

Obama, a Princeton alumna with a Harvard law degree, told students that she entered college "filled with self-doubt."

She said she and President Obama came from families that were not wealthy, yet they prevailed despite "the sting of low expectations, the constant doubts about whether we could succeed, and whether we were even worth the effort."

In Mexico, Michelle Obama urges students to aim high
First Lady Michelle Obama visits Haiti, Mexico
China quake rescue efforts hampered by epicenter's isolation

LAPD officer killed in Afghanistan is honored in somber memorial - latimes

SWAT Officer Robert J. Cottle was on Marine Reserve duty when he died March 24 in an explosion. He was awarded a Purple Heart and a Bronze Star in services at the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels.

LAPD officer killed in Afghanistan is honored in somber memorial
Afghan city fears greater Taliban presence
U.S. seeks to ease strained relations with Afghanistan

Muslim in the Army Alleges Severe Harassment - Nightline

Army Spc. Zachari Klawonn is exactly the kind of soldier the military says it needs. He's the son of Kansas-born father and a Moroccan mother, raised as a Muslim and able to speak Arabic

Klawonn, 20, has earned the praise of his fellow soldiers and his commanders, but he said there are others in the military who have offered nothing but abuse. Since he enlisted, Klawonn has perceived a pattern of harassment for his religious beliefs -- name calling, threats and worse from both his peers and from officers. The abuse has felt so severe, Klawonn has questioned whether he can endure.

His dad was an Air Force veteran who had told his son fond stories of his time in the service. Klawonn began to consider joining the military.

Muslim in the Army Alleges Severe Harassment - Nightline
Coming to terms with a Muslim identity in the U.S. Army - washingtonpost

Obama rejects GOP claim that financial reform bill would encourage bailouts - washingtonpost

President Obama urged congressional leaders Wednesday to work together over the next several weeks on a financial regulation package, expressing confidence that a bipartisan bill remained possible even as Republicans said the Democrats' proposal would make government bailouts more likely.

Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (Ky.), echoing comments he made Tuesday, said the bill amounts to an "endless taxpayer bailout for Wall Street banks." - Obama rejects GOP claim that financial reform bill would encourage bailouts

Match Game: Can You Name These World Leaders?

This week's Nuclear Security Summit was one of the largest gatherings of world leaders hosted by a U.S. president since the 1945 conference that founded the United Nations. But how familiar were the faces of the representatives who traveled to the United States?

We've assembled the photos of 20 people who were there. See how many presidents, ministers and other top leaders you can identify — and then shuffle the deck to add new faces to the mix! - Can You Name These World Leaders?

Economy growing at 'somewhat' faster rate: Beige Book

WASHINGTON (MarketWatch) -- Overall economic activity has increased "somewhat" since mid-March, according to the latest Federal Reserve report on economic conditions released Wednesday. - Economy growing at 'somewhat' faster rate: Beige Book

Intel, chip stocks help lead broad tech gains - MarketWatch
US Stocks Jump as Intel, JPMorgan Earnings Bolster Confidence - BW
Intel buoys tech sector with hopes of recovery - Reuters - WSJ

مسکو قصد ندارد در عملیات نظامی در افغانستان شرکت کند - رئیس جمهوری روسیه

دمیتری مدودف، رئیس جمهور روسیه با انتقاد از نظام سیاسی و وضعیت امنیتی افغانستان گفت مسکو در زمینه عملیات نظامی در افغانستان با دیگر کشورها همکاری نمی کند. دمیتری مدودف دیروز سه شنبه در بازدید از اندیشکده بروکینگز در آمریکا گفت مسکو قصد ندارد در عملیات نظامی در افغانستان شرکت کند.رئیس جمهور روسیه همچنین با بیان اینکه، مسکو هنوز تاریخچه فعالیتهای پیشین خود را در افغانستان در دوران شوروی سابق فراموش نکرده است گفت تصور نمی کند کشورش دوباره بخواهد حوادث گذشته را در افغانستان تجربه کند

مددوف تصریح کرد روسیه برای عادی سازی اوضاع سیاسی در افغانستان به تلاش های بین المللی ادامه خواهد داد - مسکو قصد ندارد در عملیات نظامی در افغانستان شرکت کند

Afghan Women Talk About Obama and Plan B

"Do you have a Plan B?" I asked the Afghan women diplomats. "For yourself and your families?" After all, they had assumed some risk--even in Kabul--by answering the call to serve in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

I had suggested that American forces might not stay in their country more than a few years longer. I reminded them that many Americans want us out. If we can run the Taliban from Kandahar--as surely we will--for the near future, then the President might grab that victory as cover for a face-saving withdrawal.

Afghan Women Talk About Obama and Plan B
US FORCES LEAVE AFGHAN 'VALLEY OF DEATH'

Tough life for Kabul's street children

Street kids without a future in Kabul could become a heavy burden for Afghan society. Some NGOs are trying to get them off the street and introduce them to another world, one of music, dance and education.

Tough life for Kabul's street children | Asia | Deutsche Welle ...
German development minister in Afghanistan