Afghanistan: May 17, 2005

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President Karzai has demanded that American troops stop raiding wherever and whenever they want. The U.S. rules of engagement allow them to keep Afghans out of the loop (lest pro-Taliban, or just sloppy, officials tip off the targets), and hit anywhere and any time. This upsets the pro-Taliban tribes, who have always been very "anti-foreigner." Karzai is trying to talk the heads of these tribes into calling off their armed opposition to the government. One of Karzai's bargaining chips is his influence with the Americans.