Abstracts » Business, international

Deceptive peace: calm returns to Kabul but national conflict unresolved

Article Abstract:

An apparent end to fighting in Kabul has not brought any sign of peace for the rest of Afghanistan, thanks largely to President Burhanuddin Rabbani's refusal to consider compromise. Although 150,000 people have returned to the city from refugee camps in recent months, opponents to Rabbani's Tajik-dominated regime still lie in every direction: Uzbeki General Rashid Dostam to the north, the Shia Hazaras to the west, the Taliban in the south, and in the east, the Pashtun leader Gulbuddin Hekmatyar. Foreign allies and a belligerent military leader give Rabbani hope of winning.

Ethnic relations, Military aspects, Military policy, Rabani, Burhanuddin

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Playing dirty

Article Abstract:

Afghanistan's Shiite Hazara tribe is receiving support from Russia and Iran in its efforts to oppose the country's ruling Pashtun-led Taliban militia. The Taliban is attempting to stave off Hazara attacks by blocking the tribe into its mountain hideouts and starving it into giving itself up. This approach has left more than 1 million civilians in danger of starvation. The US has requested Pakistan to increase pressure on the Taliban to enter into negotiations with the opposition alliance.

International Affairs, Civil Conflict, Political activity, Political aspects, Taliban

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Agonizing aftermath: Ethnic cleansing looms, but UN is helpless,

Article Abstract:

The prospect of ethnic cleansing is looming in Afghanistan, but United Nations agencies are held back from providing aid and mediation because of the changing factional fortunes in the civil war, and the possibility of eviction. The UN is expected to increase pressure on neighbouring countries to stop arming the different factions.

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