The American press has started reviving the term AfPak since the middle of 2013. The Obama Administration prefers not to use this term officially. However, American experts use this term to denote Afghanistan and Pakistan as single theatre of war as part of the anti-terrorist campaign launched by NATO. It’s no mere chance that the term AfPak is being popularized. Most likely, the White House is working out a plan to end the Afghan war by signing two agreements with Afghanistan, as well as with Pakistan.
Putin, Karzai to discuss military technical cooperation on sidelines of SCO
Russian President Vladimir Putin will discuss military and technical cooperation at a meeting with his Afghan counterpart Hamid Karzai on Friday.
They will focus on the supply of Russian weapons and training Afghan officers for security agencies, Russian President’s aide Yuri Ushakov told reporters on Thursday.
Russian Foreign Ministry condemns NATO attack killing Afghan civilians
Russian Foreign Ministry has condemned the recent NATO air strike that killed civilians in the eastern Afghan province of Kunar.
As a result of the attack, at least 9 people were killed, including four women and four children. The Afghan authorities also sharply criticized the irresponsibility of foreign troops concerning civilians.
Moscow and Tashkent try to find common approach towards Afghan issue
On the eve, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Igor Morgulov met with Uzbek ambassador to Russia Ziyadulla Pulatkhodzhaev at the Foreign Ministry. According to Uzbek media, one of the key topics of the discussion was issues related to coordination of efforts by Russia and Uzbekistan in solving the Afghan issue.
Most influential politicians in Afghanistan: April 2013
In April, the research group of the Centre for Contemporary Afghan Studies conducted an opinion poll among Afghan experts to find out the most influential people in the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan.