Afghanistan's Loya Jirga: Substance or Hot Air?

The Jirga, which has no legislative powers, is meant to be consultative. Critics argue that Karzai is merely seeking political cover for an eventual agreement with the U.S. that is bound to be unpalatable not only for some Afghans, but for Afghanistan's neighbors, who have little desire for a continued U.S. presence in the country past the 2014 deadline for American troop withdrawal. - Afghanistan's Loya Jirga: Substance or Hot Air from the Nation's Elders? - TIME