Insurgents a threat to Afghan civilians

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Reporter John Bohannon of Science magazine explored the statistics on civilian deaths in Afghanistan and discovered that the war is getting more lethal to the Afghan population because of insurgent attacks, not military mistakes. Anchor Marco Werman has details. Download MP3

Man arrested in Afghan mutilation case

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Afghan police have arrested a man in connection with the mutilation of Bibi Aisha. The Afghan woman’s nose and ears were cut off two years ago when she tried to run away from her husband. Aisha was left for dead, but found refuge in a shelter run by Women for Afghan Women in Kabul. Anchor Lisa Mullins speaks with Huma Safi, the program manager at the shelter. Download MP3

• New York Times story with images of Bibi Aisha
• Women for Afghan Women

US-Pakistani cooperation

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The World’s Matthew Bell reports that the reported capture of Afghan Taliban leader Mullah Baradar could signal increased cooperation between the United States and Pakistan.

Afghan civilians scared by US effort to stop roadside bombs

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Ben Gilbert reports on US efforts to stop the use of roadside bombs by insurgents in Afghanistan, and why Afghan civilians fear those efforts.

British view of Afghan mission

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The World’s Laura Lynch reports on how the mission in Afghanistan is viewed by military families in Britain.

Mentoring Afghan police

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Earlier this week an Afghan policeman turned on five British soldiers and killed them. It’s not the first time that the people being trained to take over security in their country have attacked the very ones who provide that training. Retired Captain Doug Beattie says he twice encountered situations that made him question the loyalty of his Afghan allies. Anchor Marco Werman speaks with him.

Karzai rival continues criticism

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Afghan President Hamid Karzai’s main presidential opponent Abdullah Abdullah, who dropped out of the run-off election, today questioned the legitimacy of the Karzai government. The World’s Aaron Schachter reports.

Afghans speak out on call-in show

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Anchor Marco Werman checks in with Inayatulhaq Yasini, host of the BBC’s Pashto-language radio show “Your Voice,” to find out what his Afghan listeners are talking about as the presidential run-off election draws near.

NATO investigates Afghan tanker attack

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Anchor Marco Werman speaks with the BBC’s Chris Morris in Afghanistan about an NATO attack against two fuel tankers hijacked by the Taliban. The attack led to blasts that killed several civilians, and NATO has opened an investigation.

Disillusionment with Karzai’s government

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To understand the growing disillusionment among Afghan’s with Hamid Karzai’s government look to the case of Ghulam Yahya. Yahya used to be a member of the Karzai government. He used to work hand in hand with western officials to help rebuild Afghanistan. And he used to fight the Taliban. Now Ghulam Yahya has JOINED the Taliban. Anchor Marco Werman speaks with Wall Street Journal reporter Yaroslav Trofimov, who travelled to Herat to profile the man who switched his allegiances and took up arms against US and NATO forces.

Pictograms help illiterate Afghan voters

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Many Afghans are illiterate so today’s ballots included pictograms to help identify the many candidates. The World’s Jeb Sharp explores the use of symbols in Afghanistan’s presidential election.

US watches Afghan election

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Much is stake for the US in today’s election in Afghanistan. Charlie Sennott of the website GlobalPost tells anchor Lisa Mullins that the vote is a test of the strength of President Obama’s strategy there.

New Taliban “code of conduct”

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Anchor Katy Clark speaks with the BBC’s David Loyn about what Taliban leaders are promoting as a new code of conduct for militants. This new code echoes recent U-S efforts to win the hearts and minds of Afghan civilians.

Fighting in Afghanistan (3:00)

Anchor Lisa Mullins speaks with Sarah Chayes, advisor to the commander of NATO’s International Security Assistance Force, about the outbreak of fighting in western Afghanistan today. Dozens of casualties have been reported just one day before Afghan president Hamid Karzai is set to meet with President Obama at the White House.