Afghanistan: news, after all

As I said in my earlier post today, Afghanistan seems to be the afterthought in the U.S. news last week– but not by those Afghanistan-watchers in the blogging community and around the Internet.  Here's a round-up: and thanks to all who labor to bring us up to speed.

Afghanistan:
–At Afghanistan Watch, Tom Perriello gives an excellent and comprehensive picture of the status of security in Afghanistan: first, the switch from frontal assaults to the rise of an insurgent war, and then what this means for Afghanistan, its domestic security forces, and NATO elements.  Unlike Mr. Pereillo, Joshua Foust over at Registan.net is not so sanguine about the new styles of battle, although both posts address some very similar concerns and challenges.
–Barnett Rubin at Informed Comment: an academic-worthy, excellent post on how Afghanistan's historic grievances inform the conflict of the present, from 1993 to Mr. bin-Ladin's videos of 2001.
–Peter Marton discusses how videos can be misread or news stories mis-told, leading to a consensus of opinion through “cascades” or inter-linking that make a falsehood a consensus for action or opinion, using videos from the vehicle bombings of July 15th.  A very nice post that helps us think better–always a plus . . .
–A lot of people besides legislators are saying that NATO organization and commitment in Afghanistan is limiting the options for engagement.  The resultant military choices are limited, and, leading to civilian casualties.  This article also discusses the bumper, mega-poppy crop in Afghanistan this year.
–Also recommended: and thanks again to Afghanistanica, who is on the lookout for worthy blogs for all of us: this is a fun but thought-provoking blog, In Transit to Afghanistan, which has been added to the blogroll at right.  New articles include reviews of books on Afghanistan such as Asne Seierstad's book and the work of Khaled Hosseini;  conspiracy theories and cultural notes on the Red Mosque events (see below (Pakistan) for links on Red Mosque).  I’m not linking a specific article because they were all of interest.

Pakistan:
–Don't rest all U.S.-Pakistan relations on President Musharraf: in the IHT, June 6th
–We have to start this somewhere: most recent conflicts in Pakistan between military and “madrasa militants” led by pro-Taliban Abdul Rashid Ghazi centered around the Lal Masjid, or Red Mosque, a complex of two blocks [See aerial photo from Google Earth (h/t NYT)]  around July 3, 2007: Numerous negotiations ensued, with hostages stuck in the basement of the mosque.  On July 9th, a delegation of religious and political officials attempted to negotiate.  July 10, after failed negotiations, thePakistani military rushed the Red Mosque; intense fighting broke out, that lasted for a sixteen hours.  Mr. Ghazi was killed in the conflict; another 38 Pakistani servicemen; more than 100 dead. 
–The Red Mosque's China connection: Tariq Niazi describes China-Pakistan relations as profound–and mostly silent–and attributes Red Mosque incident to China's influence on Mr. Musharraf; and Mr. al-Zawahiri has said that the Red Mosque incident must be avenged.
—Protests in wake of Red Mosque incident have threatened Mr. Musharraf;
Pakistan is attempting to re-forge relations with tribal leaders in its Western region, in order to provide stability for itself and for Afghanistan in the face of more widespread violence.  
–Analysis that the roots of this conflict are al-Qaeda's desire to create further anarchy for both Pakistan and Afghanistan, here.
–Ahmed Rashid on Pakistan's choices at BBC.