Rashid on Central Asia/Afghanistan

I still haven't read the book, it's waiting for me. William Dalrymple reviewed it last week for the New York Review of Books and is eminently readable as usual, echoing Rashid's views in his own recent experiences of Pakistan.

The Swedish Committe for Afghanistan argues with the defence minister about the need and direction for Swedish aid.

Svenska Dagbladet here writes about the Swedish PRT in Mazar and development in the northern provinces.

Dagens Nyheter goes to the cinema in Kabul.

Swedish/Pakistani Ishtiaq Ahmed writes of the talibanization of Pakistan.

Other highlights from the past months on Central asia include ICG's report from October on media freedom in Uzbekistan (an issue also at the core of Swedish journalist Elin Jönssons book on Andijan).