In the May issue:

Does the road to peace pass through Paris? Kabul Direct analyzes the prospects Did we take a wrong turn in London or was that just a speed bump?  Having lived with the foreign presence for seven years now, most Afghans trust they are not out to destroy the beliefs and traditions they hold dear...What Afghans do fear is that the international community will abandon Afghanistan before it is able to deliver on what has been promised.  Kabul Direct explains how Afghans see the stakes.

Paris Conference in focus: Jafur Rasuli explains

A leading Afghan international affairs expert tells Kabul Direct what he thinks needs to happen in Paris. He says corruption is the government’s greatest challenge but goes on to say the NGOs might be even more corrupt.  Development and reconstruction are, he says, the keys to lasting peace.

Afghanistan’s investment climate: An interview with Dr. Omar Zakhilwal The CEO of Afghanistan Investment Support Agency describes the state of business opportunity in the nation.  While outside investors focused their investments primarily in telecommunications and construction, many opportunities are to be had in agriculture and energy. 

What happens in Paris:  The opposition’s perspective from Fazil Sancharaki Sayyed Fazil Sancharaki, the head of the National Front, the coalition party formed to oppose the Karzai administration, gives the opposition’s view on what needs to happen in Paris and why power sharing and negotiation are the only way forward. 

In the April issue:

NATO’s Mission in Afghanistan:  An Afghan Perspective  Kabul Direct examines NATO’s mission in Afghanistan since taking command in 2006.  Kabul Direct analyzes the challenges NATO faces, its achievements and the future of the allied countries mission. 

Afghanistan’s Foreign Policy after the

Taliban:  In the second installment of Kabul Direct's

interview with Dr. Abdullah, former foreign

minister of Afghanistan, he talks about the country’s relations with Britain, Russia, and the Islamic conference countries. He also shares his thoughts on Afghanistan’s ties to the neighbors - Iran, Pakistan, and India.

Herat Province’s Emerging Situation:

Instability and Insurgency:  In an interview with Kabul Direct, Afghan  Parliamentarian Ahmad Behzad from Herat talks about a range of issues from the roots of instability and criminal activities in the province of Herat and the Taliban’s potential support base in the west of Afghanistan. 

In the March issue:

The Taliban's New Front: Iranian Balochi‐

Jihadists? Kabul Direct looks at what is being said on pro‐Taliban Farsi websites that appear to be originating out of Iranian Balochistan.  

The Taliban's spring offensive: Kabul Direct examines what the Taliban has said about its military plans, objectives, and stances on various domestic and international issues. 

Afghanistan’s foreign policy since the fall

of the Taliban:   This is the first of a two‐installment  interview with Dr. Abdullah, a leader of the Northern Alliance that was instrumental in defeating the Taliban and served as foreign minister in the Karzai administration until the cabinet shake-up in 2006.  Dr. Abdullah explains to Kabul Direct his take on the country’s foreign policy since 2001, especially in relation to Iran, Pakistan, India, Russia and Britain. 

The current status of women in

Afghanistan:  Leading proponent of women's rights, and member of Parliament, Shukria Barikzai, tells Kabul Direct how women's status has improved since the fall of the Taliban.  She then goes on to describe the challenges Afghan women must still confront and why she remains hopeful that things are still improving.