Date: Wednesday 3 February 2010
Time: 12.30-2pm
Venue: Room U8, Tower 1
Discussants: Felix Kuehn, Alex Strick van Linschoten
Chair: Dr. Antonio Giustozzi

Born in a small village of Kandahar, Abdul Salam Zaeef rose to become a senior member of the Taliban. His memoirs of his former role, recently translated from Pashto and edited by Alex Strick van Linschoten and Felix Kuehn, reveal an extraordinary and provocative counter-narrative to the standard accounts of Afghanistan since 1979. Using My Life with the Taliban as an entry point to discussion at this lunchtime event, Alex Strick van Linschoten and Felix Kuehnwill explore the history and role of Kandahar: the birthplace of the Taliban movement and focal area for the recently announced military 'surge'.

As residents of Kandahar and founders of AfghanWire.org, a website which provides alternative views of Afghanistan, Alex Strick van Linschoten and Felix Kuehn will discuss the current situation in Kandahar, highlighting dynamics within the tribes and Taliban. They will share the concerns and views of Afghans living in southern Afghanistan amidst the strategic confusion of foreign political and military representatives locked in an ever-deteriorating conflict. Their talk will end with a look towards the future: what can we expect, and what needs to change.

This event is free and open to all with no ticket required. Entry is on a first come, first served basis.

For more information, contact Charlotte at csp@lse.ac.uk

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