Afghanistan: December 12, 2003

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American special forces clashed with the  rebellious military chief of a province a hundred kilometers east of Kabul. Four hostile Afghans were killed and ten arrested. Tribal allies of the arrested men then protested to the provincial governor. A common problem in Afghanistan is the independence of the tribal chiefs. They see it as their right to do as they please. In this case, it was taking a few shots at a passing convoy of American and Afghan troops. The Afghans get upset when the Americans promptly counterattack, feeling that this is far to serious a response to a few shots fired in their direction. Another example of cultural differences. 

India is sending about a hundred commandos (special border guard troops, actually) to guard Indians working on aid projects in Afghanistan. Two Indian workers were kidnapped recently, either by Taliban or bandits (it's often hard to tell the difference.)

 

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