Afghan Commentary Post

Published on Foreign Policy Journal In his famous essay “Why I write,” George Orwell (1903-1950) revealed, “When I sit down to write, I do not say to myself, ‘I am going to produce a work of art.’ I write because there is some lie that I want to expose, some fact to which I want to draw attention, and my initial concern is to get a hearing.” To follow the path of George Orwell requires courage and dedication, if one wishes to dig out the truth. But sometimes, doing that can be costly. Jamal Khashoggi, a Saudi Journalist, was assassinated in Turkey last year, allegedly by Saudi authorities working at the behest of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. Hundreds of journalists have been kidnapped, persecuted and even killed, like Khashoggi, simply for doing their jobs to expose wrong-doing, human-rights violations, corruption or crimes that have been covered up by governments or the powerful.  Consider the story of legendary Afghan singer Sadiq Fitrat, who adopted the pseudonym Nas...

Afghan Commentary Post: Freedom of Speech Requires Courage : In his famous essay “Why I write,” George Orwell (1903-1950) revealed, “When I sit down to write, I do not say to myself, ‘I am going to ...

In his famous essay “Why I write,” George Orwell (1903-1950) revealed, “When I sit down to write, I do not say to myself, ‘I am going to produce a work of art.’ I write because there is some lie that I want to expose, some fact to which I want to draw attention, and my initial concern is to get a hearing.” To follow the path of George Orwell requires courage and dedication, if one wishes to dig out the truth. But sometimes, doing that can be costly. Jamal Khashoggi, a Saudi Journalist, was assassinated in Turkey last year, allegedly by Saudi authorities working at the behest of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. Hundreds of journalists have been kidnapped, persecuted and even killed, like Khashoggi, simply for doing their jobs to expose wrong-doing, human-rights violations, corruption or crimes that have been covered up by governments or the powerful. Consider the story of legendary Afghan singer Sadiq Fitrat, who adopted the pseudonym Nashenas (which means unknown ) to hide his i...

Afghan Commentary Post: Biden's Candidacy Would Help Republicans : If I were a Republican strategist advising the party on how to win the 2020 presidential election, I would do everything I could to help J...

If I were a Republican strategist advising the party on how to win the 2020 presidential election, I would do everything I could to help Joe Biden win the Democratic party’s nomination. Why? First, Joe lacks the “electability factor.” In an age of virtual reality politics, Biden lacks the charisma required win the presidency. As Robert J. Chase, founder and president of Creative Connections in Media, observed: “ This goes beyond mere personality or polished good looks. Does a candidate have the “it” factor? Can she or he command the stage? How will they run against an entrenched opponent? Can they bring down-ballot candidates along with them?”   Biden looks stiff and programmed. I don’t see an aura that would entice a crowd to follow him, nor does he stir fear in the hearts of those who would be his opponents.   Aside from that, Biden — unlike Democratic contenders such as Kamala Harris and Bernie Sanders — lacks a fresh message. He appears to promise a return to t...

This story is based on real events, although the names and locations have been altered. He is survived by his wife and two children. The last time I heard of them, the family was living in Quetta, Pakistan 1972 With his domesticated blackbird named Marjan perched on his shoulder, Abdulaleem’s buttocks pushed deeply into a defeated pillow. His long legs extended in front of him, one resting on the lap of his wife, Zari. He fixed his gaze on her blue eyes, watching as she used a sewing needle to dig after a stubborn thorn that had lodged into his foot while he was working in the field. The pain of the needle poking under his skin was soothed by the indescribable sensation of her soft hands running over his rough skin. They lived in a three-room mud house that his badar ( landlord) provided him. Abdulaleem’s only luxury in life was a counterfeit Tabrizi carpet his son Aktar Gul had brought from Iran. A framed photo of Mecca hung on the wall. Abdulaleem was in his early ...