Columnist

A recent mass jailbreak in Afghanistan's eastern Nangarhar province raises significant questions as intra-Afghan negotiations are about to begin. Can it impede the peace process? Who would benefit from it?

Refugees-- symbols of strength but hardship, products of the decisions made by invaders and sometimes, their own governments. Ever since the invasion of Afghanistan in 1979, millions of Afghans have fled to neighbouring countries for mere shelter, for a safe home.

When soldiers from the two most populous countries in the world, who spend more than $300 billion on their militaries have a stand-off, it is a thing of concern to many.

Last month, the Afghan Taliban nominated a Shiite Muslim from the Hazara community as its chief in the district of Balkhab in the northern province of Sar-e-Pul. This has come as a surprise to many.