Stories by the Author
Helmand Heads for Record Poppy Harvest
Provincial officials say 2007 could be the biggest year yet for opium production in the war-torn province.
15 Feb 10
Herat Officials Accused of Dirty Tricks
In parts of the province, bribery and intimidation are said to be rife.
14 Aug 09
Election Commission Under Fire
Body's neutrality challenged following hard-fought Kurdish election.
13 Aug 09
New Wave of Violence Against Iraqi Gays
Rights advocate speaks of an "extraordinarily brutal campaign", saying hundreds may have been killed in last few months.
8 Jul 09
Pressure on Afghan Media Ahead of Elections
Newspaper closure seen as latest bid by authorities to pressure journalists prior to leadership contest.
25 Feb 09
Helmandis Fear Taleban Noose Tightening
They suspect insurgents are close to taking full control of province, despite official claims that they are being pushed back.
22 Sep 08
Few Choices for Helmand's Troubled Youth
Unemployment is driving some young men into the arms of the Taleban, while others turn to drugs and crime.
12 Nov 07
Foreign Taleban Rile Helmand Residents
Afghans in the troubled province say many of the insurgents are not Pashtuns but incomers from other countries who behave in a high-handed and aggressive way towards local civilians.
8 Nov 07
Kidnapping on the Rise in Helmand
Criminals find kidnapping an easy way to make money in the volatile south.
14 Oct 07
Helmand: Precision Strike or Reckless Bombing?
International forces say an air strike targeted Taleban leaders, but locals say the bombs killed hundreds of innocent civilians.
9 Aug 07
Support local journalists