Muhammad Tahir, a former director of RFE/RL’s Turkmen Service, is RFE/RL's media-relations manager for South and Central Asia in Washington.
When President Barack Obama took office in 2009 he immediately set about revising U.S. plans for fighting the war in Afghanistan. The "Af-Pak" strategy was born. But after two years, is the administration's policy toward the region still on track?
A major exhibition of traditional Central Asian ikat robes and fabrics is drawing visitors to Washington D.C.'s Textile Museum.
The Taliban are making rapid gains in parts of northern Afghanistan, forcing villages to make a difficult choice: join the Taliban now or face reprisals later. The village of Tarbuz Guzar decided to fight.
Afghan election officials have begun counting ballots a day after the country's nationwide parliamentary polls. As the count begins, there are concerns over fraud marring the vote but also optimism that the country could emerge stronger for the election.
The Taliban vowed to disrupt Afghanistan's parliamentary polls, but despite making good on their threats the elections went ahead largely as planned.
As Kabul's residents prepare to vote in September 18 parliamentary elections, almost everyone seems to agree on one thing. They are angry over the country's high level of corruption and want to stop it.
A virtual unknown with shaky local ties and an iffy command of Afghanistan's official languages races to build herself a reputation for activism in time for national elections.
Iraq's Turkoman community is feeling new strength after last month's national parliamentary elections, as it could play a decisive role in the forming of a new government.
The members of the Pakistan National Assembly, Senate, and four provisional assemblies are due to elect the country's next president on September 6. Three political parties have each nominated their own candidate, but there is little doubt that Asif Ali Zardari, co-chairman of the Pakistan People's Party (PPP) and the husband of slain former Pakistani Prime Minister Benazir Butto, will win the ballot.
Pakistani politicians have more important things to do than settle old scores, and should instead concentrate on the fight against extremism and healing the economy.
