April 20, 2009

The dragon in the Hindu Kush: China’s interests in Afghanistan

THOMAS ADAMS AND ARNAV MANCHANDA Globe and Mail

It appears that China is forging closer ties with post-Taliban Afghanistan. Afghanistan, meanwhile, is also undoubtedly interested in Chinese investment as it seeks to diversify its international relations away from the West. However, China’s increasing interest in Afghanistan creates a host of implications – within Afghanistan, China and the region as a whole.

Three reasons stand out as explanations for China’s increasing involvement.

First, China requires natural resources from abroad to fuel its fast-growing economy. Afghanistan possesses a critical …

April 19, 2009

Rights Watchdog: Ban Warlords From Afghan Election

KABUL (Reuters) — Afghans accused of human rights violations over three decades of war should be barred from running in the August 20 presidential election, a commissioner of the state-appointed rights watchdog said.

Western backers of Afghanistan, which is in the grip of a growing Taliban insurgency, have pledged extra troops for securing the poll and for paying most of the cost of $230 million for the vote, the second direct one in the country’s history.

The official nomination of candidates is planned for next week, and names that have …