Awaz Apni

Awaz Apni KABUL: A bomb killed four civilians in a crowded part of the Afghan capital on Sunday, security sources said. It happened opposite a clinic on a road often used by foreign forces, one said. The blast took place just two days before dozens of foreign ministers -- including U.N. Secretary General Ban Ki-moon and U.S. Secretary of state Hillary Clinton -- were due in the capital for an international conference of Afghanistan's future.

CNews London: When the commander of British forces in Afghanistan tells you that "good enough" is the best that can be achieved here, you have to sit up and listen. Brigadier Gordon Messenger is every inch a military man, which makes it all the more surprising to hear him settle for something that sounds suspiciously close to second best. He would deny that characterisation of his words, but accepts there are limits to the Afghanistan project. The Afghanistan British troops leave behind - and no-one is willing to commit to any timeline other than to repeat the mantra that it will take "many years" - is going to be an imperfect state. Parts of it may well remain beyond the reach of central government in Kabul, and some of those responsible for the mayhem of the last 30 years could well retain much of their power and influence, perhaps even their militia. New realism It is a far cry from the beacon of democracy some had hoped for. "I don't think it will be r...