Afghanistan The New Mexico?: Assassinations And The Drug Trade -- Yahoo News/New American Media
In the last few months, the Afghan drug trade has entered a new phase of power struggles that could lead to the sort of violence that plagues Mexicans on a daily basis.
The trigger has been four key assassinations of government officials who were alleged drug barons. Their deaths have already opened the door to significant consequences for Afghanistan’s narco-economy.
More than anything, the assassinations have resulted in a power grab among the stakeholders in the multi-billion dollar Afghan drug trade – Afghanistan produces 95 percent of the world’s opium and heroin. There is now a real threat of death squads, more violence and a breakdown of the community and tribal links that have thus far prevented Afghanistan from becoming another Mexico.
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More News On Afghanistan
ISAF Joint Command morning operational update -- Dvids
Combined Force Detains Insurgents, Seizes Weapons -- US Department of Defense
FACTBOX-Security developments in Afghanistan, Aug 3 -- Alertnet
IED Attacks in Afghanistan Hit All-Time High -- National Journal
Officials: Two Pa. Marines killed in war in Afghanistan -- Philly.com
Suicide assault team strikes guesthouse in Kunduz -- Threat Matrix
Suicide attack against security company in northern Afghanistan kills 7 -- Wire Update
Taliban Suicide Bomber Kills 4 in Afghanistan -- Time
Taliban suicide bomber kills 4 in Afghanistan -- Yahoo News/AP
14 insurgents killed in Afghanistan -- Philstar.com
Afghan forces uncover clandestine 'military uniform-making factory' -- Threat Matrix
American Troops Go Medieval for Knightly Protection -- National Journal
Afghanistan Seeks to Disband Some Armed Militias -- New York Times
In one tense district, Afghan crisis comes into focus -- Stars and Stripes/McClatchy News
Afghan official: Peace depends on Pakistan -- Stars and Stripes/AP
Mapping Violence Against Journalists in Afghanistan -- Columbian Journalism Review
Way cleared to contact Taliban leaders to end conflict in Afghanistan -- New Kerala
A ‘sign of weakness’ in the propaganda of war -- H.D.S. Greenway, Boston.com
To Exit Afghanistan, We Should Say We’ll Stay -- Meghan O’Sullivan, Bloomberg Businessweek
IED Attacks in Afghanistan Hit All-Time High -- National Journal
Officials: Two Pa. Marines killed in war in Afghanistan -- Philly.com
Suicide assault team strikes guesthouse in Kunduz -- Threat Matrix
Suicide attack against security company in northern Afghanistan kills 7 -- Wire Update
Taliban Suicide Bomber Kills 4 in Afghanistan -- Time
Taliban suicide bomber kills 4 in Afghanistan -- Yahoo News/AP
14 insurgents killed in Afghanistan -- Philstar.com
Afghan forces uncover clandestine 'military uniform-making factory' -- Threat Matrix
American Troops Go Medieval for Knightly Protection -- National Journal
Afghanistan Seeks to Disband Some Armed Militias -- New York Times
In one tense district, Afghan crisis comes into focus -- Stars and Stripes/McClatchy News
Afghan official: Peace depends on Pakistan -- Stars and Stripes/AP
Mapping Violence Against Journalists in Afghanistan -- Columbian Journalism Review
Way cleared to contact Taliban leaders to end conflict in Afghanistan -- New Kerala
A ‘sign of weakness’ in the propaganda of war -- H.D.S. Greenway, Boston.com
To Exit Afghanistan, We Should Say We’ll Stay -- Meghan O’Sullivan, Bloomberg Businessweek
Afghan forces uncover clandestine 'military uniform-making factory' -- Threat Matrix
American Troops Go Medieval for Knightly Protection -- National Journal
Afghanistan Seeks to Disband Some Armed Militias -- New York Times
In one tense district, Afghan crisis comes into focus -- Stars and Stripes/McClatchy News
Afghan official: Peace depends on Pakistan -- Stars and Stripes/AP
Mapping Violence Against Journalists in Afghanistan -- Columbian Journalism Review
Way cleared to contact Taliban leaders to end conflict in Afghanistan -- New Kerala
A ‘sign of weakness’ in the propaganda of war -- H.D.S. Greenway, Boston.com
To Exit Afghanistan, We Should Say We’ll Stay -- Meghan O’Sullivan, Bloomberg Businessweek
Afghanistan needs a break from the Seals -- Ahmed Rashid, Financial Times
Thorny road ahead for Afghan self-determination -- Daily Yomiuri editorial
Afghanistan: Anatomy of a hit -- Conn Hallinan, Morning Star
Are The US And Taliban Ready To Tango? – Analysis -- Dr Shanthie Mariet D Souza, Eurasia Review
US military deaths in Afghanistan at 1,575 -- AP
American Troops Go Medieval for Knightly Protection -- National Journal
Afghanistan Seeks to Disband Some Armed Militias -- New York Times
In one tense district, Afghan crisis comes into focus -- Stars and Stripes/McClatchy News
Afghan official: Peace depends on Pakistan -- Stars and Stripes/AP
Mapping Violence Against Journalists in Afghanistan -- Columbian Journalism Review
Way cleared to contact Taliban leaders to end conflict in Afghanistan -- New Kerala
A ‘sign of weakness’ in the propaganda of war -- H.D.S. Greenway, Boston.com
To Exit Afghanistan, We Should Say We’ll Stay -- Meghan O’Sullivan, Bloomberg Businessweek
Afghanistan needs a break from the Seals -- Ahmed Rashid, Financial Times
Thorny road ahead for Afghan self-determination -- Daily Yomiuri editorial
Afghanistan: Anatomy of a hit -- Conn Hallinan, Morning Star
Are The US And Taliban Ready To Tango? – Analysis -- Dr Shanthie Mariet D Souza, Eurasia Review
US military deaths in Afghanistan at 1,575 -- AP