"Revolution in the mountains" - series of articles

[2RHPZ]

"Revolution in the mountains" - series of articles by Syed Saleem Shahzad

For those who are interested in the current events in region Afghanistan and Pakistan I can recommend to follow this exhausting reading:

PART 1:
Besieged in Shawal
As the US net closes around al-Qaeda, Taliban and Afghan resistance fighters holed up in the remote Shawal areas of Afghanistan and Pakistan, tribal leaders are being pressured to help catch them. And they are not happy. This is the first in a series of reports from what is likely to*become a key frontier. (May*2, '04)
http://www.atimes.com/atimes/South_Asia/FE01Df04.html

PART 2: The 'al-Qaeda' cleric
In the sweep for al-Qaeda suspects in the Shawal area of Pakistan, Maulana Salahuddin was rounded up, and spent some weeks as a "guest" of the authorities. But it soon became obvious that the humble Sufi cleric had nothing to do with al-Qaeda and the Afghan resistance. Not that he is short on ideas in tackling the issue, though. (May 3, '04)
http://www.atimes.com/atimes/South_Asia/FE04Df04.html

PART 3: Through the eyes of the Taliban
The US, in an attempt to both exploit splits in the Taliban and restore peace to Afghanistan, has made numerous overtures to one of the key figures in the resistance movement - Jalaluddin Haqqani. But the legendary mujahideen leader and former Taliban minister refuses all overtures. His son explains why. (May 4, '04)
http://www.atimes.com/atimes/Central_Asia/FE05Ag02.html

PART 4: Return of the royalists
The US plan to press Afghan warlords into service to fill the political vacuum created by the demise of the Taliban has failed, with many wily commanders turning against their would-be benefactors. Subsequently, Afghan royalists have been pushed into the limelight, an exercise many see as equally futile. One senior royalist with high ambitions begs to differ. (May 5, '04)
http://www.atimes.com/atimes/Central_Asia/FE06Ag01.html

Part 5: Jihadis pay the ultimate price
Foreign fighters were an integral part of the Afghan resistance against the Soviets in the 1980s, and now they play a pivotal role in the guerrilla war against US-led forces in the country. In an ultimate irony, though, these very symbols of jihad may yet be offered as sacrificial pawns to bring peace to Afghanistan. (May 12, '04)
http://www.atimes.com/atimes/South_Asia/FE13Df03.html