Karzai's Cronies

Meet the unsavory characters surrounding the Afghan president and his new government.

BY JORDANA TIMERMAN, DAVID KENNER | NOVEMBER 19, 2009

Ahmed Wali Karzai: Rumors are swirling about the president's younger half-brother and his mafia-like grip on Kandahar and involvement in the opium trade. He is also accused of fabricating ballots through the use of ghost polling stations, which never opened but somehow reported massive majorities for Karzai in this year's presidential election. A recent New York Times story said he has received regular CIA payments for the past eight years for activities that include involvement with a paramilitary force operating outside Kandahar. The relationship points to the tangled nature of the corruption surrounding President Karzai, which seems to enable him to rule and undermine his government at the same time. Above, Ahmed Wali Karzai talks on a cell phone as he celebrates his brother's reelection in Kandahar on Nov. 3, 2009.

BANARAS KHAN/AFP/Getty Images

 SUBJECTS: AFGHANISTAN, MIDDLE EAST
 

ENGUZEL

3:27 PM ET

November 21, 2009

gizlesene

i hate Karzai
gizlesene

 

JOSHUAROBERT144

8:46 AM ET

November 23, 2009

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Karzai's Cronies is a useful exercise, and he has certainly made some shameful choices. But there are also a number of competent and courageous Afghans working to rebuild their country, Interior Minister Atmar, Minister of Rural Rehabilitation Zia, competent Finance and Commerce Ministers, etc. Not to mention the talent individuals working for the Human Rights Commission and heading up a variety of NGOs. The Warlords get enough attention as it is. Perhaps FP should explore these islands of integrity next.