Kabul
After weeks of debate, Afghanistan’s loya jirga has approved a new constitution that provides for a moderate Islamic republic with most power concentrated in the president. “We have proven that through 30 years of war, we still have a culture, and we are still civilized,” said President Hamid Karzai. “It is a success for all of us.” The approval clears the way for Afghanistan’s first democratic elections, scheduled for June. But applying and interpreting the new constitution will be a long-term challenge. The document grants equal rights to women, for example, but also forbids passing any law that goes against the tenets of Islam. Some Afghans fear such provisions are bound to clash and that the struggle will have to play out in the courts and in parliament.
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.
-
8 splashy items to elevate any pool partyThe Week Recommends Fire up the snow cone machine, and turn on that outdoor movie projector
-
What to know as student loan collections resumethe explainer The restart comes as part of the Trump administration's reversal of Biden-era policies
-
'We already have the tools to do better'Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
