Stories written by Melek Zimmer-Zahine

POLITICS: Corruption in Afghanistan Cuts Both Ways

By Melek Zimmer-Zahine
Unfortunately for both Afghans and Americans, Afghan President Hamid Karzai and Barack Obama, his counterpart in Washington, missed a chance to reset the critical relationship between their two countries and move the dialogue in an honest direction.
An Afghan civilian holds pictures of relatives who died in Kunduz Credit: Ghaith Abdul Ahad/Killid

AFGHANISTAN: More Civilian Deaths Unless U.S.-NATO Peace Keep

By Melek Zimmer-Zahine
Each month since U.S. President Barack Obama has taken office, Afghanistan has seen a growing number of civilian and military deaths - a spiral of violence which has served to destabilise a nation already struggling to recover from its previous three decades of war.
That millions of Afghans voted is a sign of progress Credit: Najibullah Musafer/Killid

AFGHANISTAN: Best Left Alone for Democracy to Grow

By Melek Zimmer-Zahine
If the numerous foreign diplomats, envoys and super envoys assigned to Afghanistan really want to help the country, the best thing they can do during these vote counting and election-fraud investigation days and maybe weeks ahead is to go on vacation.

AFGHANISTAN: Finding a Way Out of the Crossfire

By Melek Zimmer-Zahine
The people of Afghanistan are increasingly caught in the cross-fire between a violent insurgency and a violent counter insurgency but does this mean the entire country is unravelling?


ervand abrahamian