Letter from Pakistan: How a Jailed Imran Khan’s Popularity Continues to Confound his Enemies

In Islamabad this week, tens of thousands of supporters of jailed former Prime Minister Imran Khan invaded the tree-lined streets of the most heavily protected section ‑ the red zone ‑ of the federal capital.

It was no easy feat for them to get there. The army and police were also present in the thousands, amid a security lockdown in the country, internet blackouts and blockades of major roads leading to the capital to repel the demonstrations.…READ MORE

As Canada Welcomes Afghan Women Politicians, a Reminder of a Larger Betrayal

ISLAMABAD — The bipartisan effort by Canadian politicians to bring women Afghan politicians to Canada is a heartwarming story. They are among the 69 women who once served in Afghanistan’s Parliament. One of the former politicians on the list of those hoping to escape to Canada, Mursal Nabizada, was murdered in January 2023. Her security guard was arrested by the Taliban for her murder as well as that of another of her security detail in February 2023. The motive for her murder was not known. But six have made it out safely.…READ MORE

It’s Time for America to Go Back to Afghanistan

It’s striking how much Afghanistan, which has the unfortunate legacy of being the site of America’s longest war, has all but disappeared from public discussion in the United States. But perhaps it’s understandable. After all, there always seems to be another conflict, another war — which, as it happens, is also Afghanistan’s history.…READ MORE