Former Afghan Defense Chief Says He's 'Nationally Oriented' -- Gen. Abdul Rahim Wardak discusses why his presidential candidacy is different from the others, in a conversation with The Wall Street Journal.. -- A 68-year-old ethnic Pashtun who was a leading mujahedeen commander in the 1980s war against the Soviets, Gen. Wardak attended the U.S. Army staff college at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas, and includes personal letters from former U.S. President Richard M. Nixon among his campaign materials. - wall street journal