1. Afghanistan: Current Situation
The U.S. Air Force has intensified its bombing campaign against Taliban frontline positions in Northern Afghanistan.
"Heaviest bombing on Taliban frontlines"
"Biggest bomb on Afghanistan"
Afghan Islamic Press and Pakistani newspapers have reported Taliban and civilian causalities.
"Taliban among 40 dead in US bombing"
"Thirty-six civilians killed in fresh bombing"
A Pakistani reporter in Kandahar has noted that the city "remains quite normal here with no emergency situation in effect."
"Despite pounding, Kandahar is composed, quiet"
The Taliban intelligence chief, Qari Ahmadullah, claimed that an opposition commander has now joined the Taliban militia.
"Taliban claim opposition commander's defection"
Reports from Kandahar have suggested that Arab fighters are controlling parts of the country and fighting major battles on the frontlines.
"Arabs have taken over fight from Taliban"
On October 24th, the Taliban captured, and later executed, Commander Abdul Haq, a respected anti-Taliban Pashtun leader. According to a report in The Friday Times, Abdul Haq's execution "has sent a shockwave and frightened everyone."
"Haq's execution demoralizes opposition"
The military chief of the Northern Alliance, Mohammad Qasim Fahim, has announced that his forces are ready to march to Kabul.
"Alliance ready to march on Kabul"
The Taliban claimed capturing 25 Pakhtoon supporters of Zahir Shah, the former king of Afghanistan.
"Twenty-five of Zahir's supporters captured, say Taliban"