gwzluckyluc

Do you think the firing of Gulab Mangal was a smart idea?

what effect would the replacement of Karzai (by the us) would have on the outer provinces like Helmand where he wields little power and is very unpopular?

What was the effect of richard holbrooke's death on the Af-Pak relationship?

Who is more unpopular: US/NATO or Karzai?

Do you need a researcher? one who is very familiar with the politics of the area as a result of a year long internship at VOA afghan service

Thanks for responding to my questions!

When I was at VOA, I got the impression the ISAF/NATO/US forces were more popular than the news organizations in the State would have us believe. Most of the people I worked with were Afghan and all I ever heard was how happy they were to be rid of the Taliban. As much as they dislike the uncertainty of the post-Taliban Afghanistan and President Karzai, they still fear the Taliban more. Some of the dissatisfaction with the ISAF/NATO/US forces seemed to emanate from the propping up of Karzai and because he is deemed dirty and corrupt, they're less willing to trust those who support him. Daoud Sediqi, who used to host the Afghan version of American Idol and works at VOA now, said that under the Taliban he couldn't even watch TV, but after 2001 he was able to host a music competition on TV. To me, that distinction said a lot.

Was Gulab Mangal's removal connected in any way with the rising amounts of poppy being produced? What affect will the halt in ISAF funding into Helmand have on the region? I imagine quite a lot! Do you think that since this new governor is closer to Karzai, it will be beneficial for Helmand? Has Richard Holbrooke's death worsened relations between Afghanistan and Pakistan? In what way?