NATO's commander in Afghanistan recently described the situation in the country as "close to anarchy," saying Afghan and coalition forces are "running out of time". Lt. Gen. David Richards, who will lead NATO as it takes control of the US-led coalition in southern Afghanistan at the end of the month, spoke at a conference in London of "a lack of unity between different agencies," according to the Guardian.
Gen Richards also spoke of his concerns that "poorly regulated private security companies" are "all too ready to discharge firearms," as well as a shortage of equipment for NATO forces, the Guardian reports. This grave depiction contrasts sharply with his interview in TIME magazine which appeared earlier this month when he said, "If I didn't have optimism about what we are doing, I shouldn't be here."
Media Resources: The Guardian 7/21/06; Time Magazine 7/10/06
5/20/2013 Afghan Violence Against Women Law Blocked in Parliament - On Saturday, the Speaker of the Lower House of Afghan Parliament delayed a vote on the Elimination of Violence against Women law after two hours of vociferous debate between conservative religious and more liberal members of Parliament. . . .
5/20/2013 Walmart, American Retailers Refuse to Join Bangladesh Accord - Walmart, along with 13 other major North American companies, refused to sign a legally binding agreement to improve working conditions for overseas factory workers that manufacture their clothes after a garment factory collapsed in Bangladesh killing an estimated 1300 workers, the New York Times reports.
The agreement requires retailers pay $500,000 to improve worker safety measures over a five year period. . . .
