nothing could be better than what Maddox has painted in most appropriate words. She has put the finger on the core of the mess created by the cross currants of trio interests in the cursed land its innocent people who have for centuries lived a life of honesty even though it had rough edges of religious fervor and bigotry. The hard working survivors of natures worst surroundings they proved their mettle and maintained their life style and rigid following of their ideals.
As if Pakistan's next door notorious unneighborly interests were not enough, US and its poodle Karazai have complicated the messy state of affairs already made miserable by US creation of Talbaans in 90's to dislodge the soviets. the picture painted by Maddox is painfully true and intriguingly clear and above all worth the eyes of every serious student of politics.

Balraj Cheema, mississauga, Canada

The US is the worlds sole super power, and worlds largest coward. They went in dollars blazing and bought the Taliban. Now the Taliban and ordinary Afghans have had enough and are fighting the US. The US needs to send in troops by the 10s of 1000s if it is really serious, and has the stomach. My guess is not, problems in Iraq, problems in Afghanistan - blame someone else, but yourself. Let's see how tough you are - ask the Ruskies

Shaffiq Mahmood, Halifax, UK

As an Afghan I am hopeful that the future of Afghanistan is brighter. Afghanistan has gone through period of voilence and insecurity many times before specially after her independence. The people who are causing problems are not really Afghans they are from the North West Frontier of Pakistan who are looking the same as Afghans and speak the same language but they are Pakistani national . They are always working as mercenaries for the foreign powers only for money . Now when I see the new projects of economic developements in the north like the Gas Pipeline between Turkmenistan and Afghanistan and the Elecricity power from Uzbekistan and Tadjekistan etc . these projects will atract many unemployed people not only in Afghanistan but also from the neighbouring countries like Iran, Pakistan, India etc . as such the mercenaries will get the work and will have imcome for themselves and their familied and stop fighting and killing others .

Hashim, Kent, UK

nothing could be better than what Maddox has painted in most appropriate words. She has put the finger on the core of the mess created by the cross currants of trio interests in the cursed land its innocent people who have for centuries lived a life of honesty even though it had rough edges of religious fervor and bigotry. The hard working survivors of natures worst surroundings they proved their mettle and maintained their life style and rigid following of their ideals.
As if Pakistan's next door notorious unneighborly interests were not enough, US and its poodle Karazai have complicated the messy state of affairs already made miserable by US creation of Talbaans in 90's to dislodge the soviets. the picture painted by Maddox is painfully true and intriguing and worth a note.

Balraj Cheema, mississauga, Canada

Musharraf's deal with religious parties leaders, as the author has indicated in her article, is far from sight because its only the Jamiat Ulama Islam(F) that could possibly strike deal with Musharraf and that too only by Maulana Fazl ur Rahman who won't be backed up by most of his party members. The MMA would, in that case, would simply dissolve and so Musharraf would have to look somewhere else for a deal, most probabaly Benezir Bhutto, who would favour Musharraf rather more easily, despite a some resentment from her, if he bowed a little more down.

Shah Khalid, N.W.F.P, Pakistan

Pakistan need be neutral in Afghanistan matters. But we can not. Because our national interest are there. We can not afford any enemy in Afghanistan .neither Taliban’s, or karzi, or any one else. Good relation over all with government and opposition it is much needed for Pakistan. Because any anti Pakistani elements in Afghanistan can affect us for many reasons.Pakistan need to tell America, that we can not afford any type of enemy in Afghanistan. Northern alliance is anti Pakistan , karzi don’t have good feeling and Taliban’s also in other campSo Pakistan must engage Taliban in political talks, let them know talibanization style government not acceptable. If Taliban like participate in political activity, if they like to become the part of political system. We must support them. seek exemption for all Taliban’s include mullein Omar and former Taliban regime and free all Taliban’s prisoners form jails, pardon for every Taliban’s

mehboob alam khan, gujranwala Maan, pakistan