Kandahar, Afghanistan
A top Taliban leader and mastermind of several kidnappings killed himself this week, as Pakistani security forces closed in on his hideout near the Afghan border. Afghan officials hope the death of Abdullah Mehsud will herald an end to a spate of kidnappings of foreigners. In recent months, Taliban fighters have used kidnapping as a political tool, choosing victims from coalition countries perceived as waffling in their support for the U.S.-led war. At least three German civilians were snatched last month, and more than two dozen Chinese and South Korean workers were taken in the past two weeks.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
-
What should you be stockpiling for 'World War Three'?In the Spotlight Britons advised to prepare after the EU tells its citizens to have an emergency kit just in case
-
Carnivore diet: why people are eating only meatThe Explainer 'Meatfluencers' are taking social media by storm but experts warn meat-only diets have health consequences
-
Scientists want to fight malaria by poisoning mosquitoes with human bloodUnder the radar Drugging the bugs
