Kabul
The West underestimated what it would take to rebuild Afghanistan, British Prime Minister Tony Blair said this week during a surprise visit to Kabul. Blair said that five years after the invasion, rapidly accelerating violence across the country shows that the war is not close to an end. “I think we are wiser now to the fact this is a generation-long struggle,” he said. “I am not saying we remain here in the same way for that length of time, but I am saying that overall the roots of the Taliban and al Qaida are deep.” Insurgents this year have been carrying out an average of 600 attacks a month on NATO or Afghan forces, compared with 130 a month last year.
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.
-
The elite falcon trade in the Middle EastUnder the Radar Popularity of the birds of prey has been ‘soaring’ despite doubts over the legality of sourcing and concerns for animal welfare
-
A running list of the international figures Donald Trump has pardonedin depth The president has grown bolder in flexing executive clemency powers beyond national borders
-
Mixed nuts: RFK Jr.’s new nutrition guidelines receive uneven reviewsTalking Points The guidelines emphasize red meat and full-fat dairy
