Afghanistan

Afghanistan's Interior Minister Besmullah Khan (L) speaks during a press conference as US ambassador to Afghanistan Karl Eikenberry (R) looks on in Kabul on October 27, 2010. President Hamid Karzai announced on October 27 the creation of a joint commission to establish a timetable for winding up private firms providing security for major development projects in Afghanistan. Karzai signed a decree on August 17 prohibiting the 52 international and Afghan private security companies which operate in Afghanistan by the end of the year, excepting teams protecting embassies and international forces bases.

(FROM L to R) UN special representative for Afghanistan Staffan de Mistura, US special envoy for Afghanistan and Pakistan Richard Holbrooke, Italian special envoy to Afghanistan Massimo Iannucci, German government special representative for Afghanistan and Pakistan Michael Steiner, EU special representative for Afghanistan Vigaudas Usackas and NATO senior civilian representative to Afghanistan Mark Sedwill sit during a press conference on October 18, 2010 at the Foreign Ministry in Rome after a Special Representative for Afghanistan and Pakistan (SRAP) meeting with top international diplomats to discuss Afghanistan.

HERAT, AFGHANISTAN - SEPTEMBER 15: Police run a checkpoint in the street in front of election posters September 15, 2010 in Herat, Afghanistan. Security is of gaining importance as Afghanistan's second parliamentary election is scheduled for September 18, with about 2,500 candidates contesting the 249 seats in Afghanistan's Wolesi Jirga, or lower house of parliament.

MAZAR-E-SHARIF, AFGHANISTAN - SEPTEMBER 17: Afghan men pray at the Blue Mosque a day before the parliamentary election September 17, 2010 in Mazar-e-sharif, Afghanistan. Security is of gaining importance as Afghanistan's second parliamentary election is scheduled for September 18, with about 2,500 candidates contesting the 249 seats in Afghanistan's Wolesi Jirga, or lower house of parliament.

MAZAR-E-SHARIF, AFGHANISTAN - SEPTEMBER 17: Afghan women pray at the Blue Mosque a day before the parliamentary election September 17, 2010 in Mazar-e-sharif, Afghanistan. Security is of gaining importance as Afghanistan's second parliamentary election is scheduled for September 18, with about 2,500 candidates contesting the 249 seats in Afghanistan's Wolesi Jirga, or lower house of parliament.

MAZAR-E-SHARIF, AFGHANISTAN - SEPTEMBER 17: Afghans visit the Blue Mosque a day before the parliamentary election September 17, 2010 in Mazar-e-sharif, Afghanistan. Security is of gaining importance as Afghanistan's second parliamentary election is scheduled for September 18, with about 2,500 candidates contesting the 249 seats in Afghanistan's Wolesi Jirga, or lower house of parliament.

MAZAR-E-SHARIF, AFGHANISTAN - SEPTEMBER 17: Afghans feed pigeons at the Blue Mosque after praying a day before the parliamentary election September 17, 2010 in Mazar-e-sharif, Afghanistan. Security is of gaining importance as Afghanistan's second parliamentary election is scheduled for September 18, with about 2,500 candidates contesting the 249 seats in Afghanistan's Wolesi Jirga, or lower house of parliament.

FEYZABAD, AFGHANISTAN - OCTOBER 12: German Bundeswehr soldiers of a OMLT unit (Operational Mentor and Liaison Team) fire a machine gun during a training session with Afghan National Army soldiers on October 12, 2010 in Feyzabad, Afghanistan. Badakhshan province was free of Taliban until about a year ago, when they began infiltrating the region and have since killed several local government officials as well as attacked German ISAF soldiers on at least two occasions. Germany has more than 4,500 military forces in northern Afghanistan as part of the US-led ISAF International Security Assistance Force and the German role has shifted in recent years from reconstruction to combat as local Taliban presence has grown. A total of 45 Bundeswehr soldiers have been killed so far in Afghanistan.

FEYZABAD, AFGHANISTAN - OCTOBER 14: A gunner sits in the back of a CH 53 helicopter during a flight from Feyzabad to Mazar-i-Sharif on October 14, 2010 near Feyzabad, Afghanistan. Badakhshan province was free of Taliban until about a year ago, when they began infiltrating the region and have since killed several local government officials as well as attacked German ISAF soldiers on at least two occasions. Germany has more than 4,500 military forces in northern Afghanistan as part of the US-led ISAF International Security Assistance Force and the German role has shifted in recent years from reconstruction to combat as local Taliban presence has grown. A total of 45 Bundeswehr soldiers have been killed so far in Afghanistan.

FEYZABAD, AFGHANISTAN - OCTOBER 14: A CH 53 helicopter lands at the PRT (Provincial Reconstruction Team) Feyzabad on October 14, 2010 in Feyzabad, Afghanistan. Badakhshan province was free of Taliban until about a year ago, when they began infiltrating the region and have since killed several local government officials as well as attacked German ISAF soldiers on at least two occasions. Germany has more than 4,500 military forces in northern Afghanistan as part of the US-led ISAF International Security Assistance Force and the German role has shifted in recent years from reconstruction to combat as local Taliban presence has grown. A total of 45 Bundeswehr soldiers have been killed so far in Afghanistan.

FEYZABAD, AFGHANISTAN - SEPTEMBER 30: A Mongolian soldier guards a watch tower at the PRT (Provincial Reconstruction Team) on September 30, 2010 in Feyzabad, Afghanistan. Badakhshan province was free of Taliban until about a year ago, when they began infiltrating the region and have since killed several local government officials as well as attacked German ISAF soldiers on at least two occasions. Germany has more than 4,500 military forces in northern Afghanistan as part of the US-led ISAF International Security Assistance Force and the German role has shifted in recent years from reconstruction to combat as local Taliban presence has grown. A total of 45 Bundeswehr soldiers have been killed so far in Afghanistan.

MAZAR-E-SHARIF, AFGHANISTAN - SEPTEMBER 17: Afghan men transfer ballot boxes to a polling station September 17, 2010 in Mazar-e-sharif, Afghanistan. Security is of gaining importance as Afghanistan's second parliamentary election is scheduled for September 18, with about 2,500 candidates contesting the 249 seats in Afghanistan's Wolesi Jirga, or lower house of parliament.

MAZAR-E-SHARIF, AFGHANISTAN - SEPTEMBER 17: Afghans enter the Blue Mosque to pray a day before the parliamentary election September 17, 2010 in Mazar-e-sharif, Afghanistan. Security is of gaining importance as Afghanistan's second parliamentary election is scheduled for September 18, with about 2,500 candidates contesting the 249 seats in Afghanistan's Wolesi Jirga, or lower house of parliament.

MAZAR-E-SHARIF, AFGHANISTAN - SEPTEMBER 17: Afghans enter the Blue Mosque to pray a day before the parliamentary election September 17, 2010 in Mazar-e-sharif, Afghanistan. Security is of gaining importance as Afghanistan's second parliamentary election is scheduled for September 18, with about 2,500 candidates contesting the 249 seats in Afghanistan's Wolesi Jirga, or lower house of parliament.

MAZAR-E-SHARIF, AFGHANISTAN - SEPTEMBER 17: Maliha Ahmadzia (C), a 25 year-old law and political science student at Mawlana University in Balkh province, who is running for parliament is seen a day before the parliamentary election September 17, 2010 in Mazar-e-sharif, Afghanistan. Security is of gaining importance as Afghanistan's second parliamentary election is scheduled for September 18, with about 2,500 candidates contesting the 249 seats in Afghanistan's Wolesi Jirga, or lower house of parliament.

KABUL, AFGHANISTAN - SEPTEMBER 26: Marjan Fidaye,11, takes a break during orchestra practice at the Afghanistan National Institute of Music on September 26, 2010 in Kabul, Afghanistan. Afghanistan's first and only music high school opened in June and now has 150 students, including 27 girls. The Taliban regime, from 1996 to 2001 banned all music, forcing many musicians to put away their instruments or go into exile. The school's aim is to revive long-neglected musical traditions using both Afghan and foreign instructors. 25 students were recruited from the war-ravaged country's large number of orphans and street children. There is a host of donor governments, international music colleges and instrument suppliers.

FEYZABAD, AFGHANISTAN - OCTOBER 05: Afghan boys pretend to play Buzkashi on their donkeys as German soldiers patrol on October 5, 2010 in Feyzabad, Afghanistan. Buzkashi is a traditional Central Asian team sport played on horseback in Afghanistan. Germany has more than 4,500 military forces in Afghanistan as part of the US-led International Security Assistance Force.

FEYZABAD, AFGHANISTAN - OCTOBER 05: Afghan boys pretend to play Buzkashi on their donkeys as German soldiers patrol on October 5, 2010 in Feyzabad, Afghanistan. Buzkashi is a traditional Central Asian team sport played on horseback in Afghanistan. Germany has more than 4,500 military forces in Afghanistan as part of the US-led International Security Assistance Force.

FEYZABAD, AFGHANISTAN - OCTOBER 05: An Afghan boy pretends to play Buzkashi with his friends on their donkeys as German soldiers patrol on October 5, 2010 in Feyzabad, Afghanistan. Buzkashi is a traditional Central Asian team sport played on horseback in Afghanistan. Germany has more than 4,500 military forces in Afghanistan as part of the US-led International Security Assistance Force.

FEYZABAD, AFGHANISTAN - OCTOBER 12: German Bundeswehr soldiers of a OMLT unit (Operational Mentor and Liaison Team) fire a machine gun during a training session with Afghan National Army soldiers on October 12, 2010 in Feyzabad, Afghanistan. Badakhshan province was free of Taliban until about a year ago, when they began infiltrating the region and have since killed several local government officials as well as attacked German ISAF soldiers on at least two occasions. Germany has more than 4,500 military forces in northern Afghanistan as part of the US-led ISAF International Security Assistance Force and the German role has shifted in recent years from reconstruction to combat as local Taliban presence has grown. A total of 45 Bundeswehr soldiers have been killed so far in Afghanistan.

FEYZABAD, AFGHANISTAN - OCTOBER 09: A German Bundeswehr soldier patrols high ground during a regular patrol on October 9, 2010 in Feyzabad, Afghanistan. Badakhshan province was free of Taliban until about a year ago, when they began infiltrating the region and have since killed several local government officials as well as attacked German ISAF soldiers on at least two occasions. Germany has more than 4,500 military forces in northern Afghanistan as part of the US-led ISAF International Security Assistance Force and the German role has shifted in recent years from reconstruction to combat as local Taliban presence has grown. A total of 45 Bundeswehr soldiers have been killed so far in Afghanistan.

FEYZABAD, AFGHANISTAN - SEPTEMBER 30: A Mongolian soldier guards a watch tower at the PRT (Provincial Reconstruction Team) on September 30, 2010 in Feyzabad, Afghanistan. Badakhshan province was free of Taliban until about a year ago, when they began infiltrating the region and have since killed several local government officials as well as attacked German ISAF soldiers on at least two occasions. Germany has more than 4,500 military forces in northern Afghanistan as part of the US-led ISAF International Security Assistance Force and the German role has shifted in recent years from reconstruction to combat as local Taliban presence has grown. A total of 45 Bundeswehr soldiers have been killed so far in Afghanistan.

MAZAR-E-SHARIF, AFGHANISTAN - SEPTEMBER 17: Ballot boxes are transferred to a polling station September 17, 2010 in Mazar-e-sharif, Afghanistan. Security is of gaining importance as Afghanistan's second parliamentary election is scheduled for September 18, with about 2,500 candidates contesting the 249 seats in Afghanistan's Wolesi Jirga, or lower house of parliament.

MAZAR-E-SHARIF, AFGHANISTAN - SEPTEMBER 17: Afghan men transfer a ballot box to a polling station September 17, 2010 in Mazar-e-sharif, Afghanistan. Security is of gaining importance as Afghanistan's second parliamentary election is scheduled for September 18, with about 2,500 candidates contesting the 249 seats in Afghanistan's Wolesi Jirga, or lower house of parliament.

MAZAR-E-SHARIF, AFGHANISTAN - SEPTEMBER 17: Afghan men pray at the Blue Mosque a day before the parliamentary election September 17, 2010 in Mazar-e-sharif, Afghanistan. Security is of gaining importance as Afghanistan's second parliamentary election is scheduled for September 18, with about 2,500 candidates contesting the 249 seats in Afghanistan's Wolesi Jirga, or lower house of parliament.

KABUL, AFGHANISTAN - SEPTEMBER 26: American violinist William Harvey teaches a female student during a private violin class at the Afghanistan National Institute of Music on September 26, 2010 in Kabul, Afghanistan. Afghanistan's first and only music high school opened in June and now has 150 students, including 27 girls. The Taliban regime, from 1996 to 2001 banned all music, forcing many musicians to put away their instruments or go into exile. The school's aim is to revive long-neglected musical traditions using both Afghan and foreign instructors. 25 students were recruited from the war-ravaged country's large number of orphans and street children. There is a host of donor governments, international music colleges and instrument suppliers.

KABUL, AFGHANISTAN - SEPTEMBER 26: Marjan Fidaye,11, answers a question during english class at the Afghanistan National Institute of Music on September 26, 2010 in Kabul, Afghanistan. Afghanistan's first and only music high school opened in June and now has 150 students, including 27 girls. The Taliban regime, from 1996 to 2001 banned all music, forcing many musicians to put away their instruments or go into exile. The school's aim is to revive long-neglected musical traditions using both Afghan and foreign instructors. 25 students were recruited from the war-ravaged country's large number of orphans and street children. There is a host of donor governments, international music colleges and instrument suppliers.

KABUL, AFGHANISTAN - SEPTEMBER 26: An Afghan student waits for her turn to play in the violin section during orchestra practice at the Afghanistan National Institute of Music September 26, 2010 in Kabul, Afghanistan. Afghanistan's first and only music high school opened in June and now has 150 student, including 27 girls. The Taliban regime, from 1996 to 2001 banned all music, forcing many musicians to put away their instruments or go into exile. The school's aim is to revive long-neglected musical traditions using both Afghan and foreign instructors. 25 students were recruited from the war-ravaged country's large number of orphans and street children. The program is being supported by donor governments, international music colleges and instrument suppliers.

FEYZABAD, AFGHANISTAN - OCTOBER 05: Afghan boys pretend to play Buzkashi on their donkeys as German soldiers patrol on October 5, 2010 in Feyzabad, Afghanistan. Buzkashi is a traditional Central Asian team sport played on horseback in Afghanistan. Germany has more than 4,500 military forces in Afghanistan as part of the US-led International Security Assistance Force.

FEYZABAD, AFGHANISTAN - OCTOBER 09: A German Bundeswehr soldier patrols high ground during a regular patrol on October 9, 2010 in Feyzabad, Afghanistan. Badakhshan province was free of Taliban until about a year ago, when they began infiltrating the region and have since killed several local government officials as well as attacked German ISAF soldiers on at least two occasions. Germany has more than 4,500 military forces in northern Afghanistan as part of the US-led ISAF International Security Assistance Force and the German role has shifted in recent years from reconstruction to combat as local Taliban presence has grown. A total of 45 Bundeswehr soldiers have been killed so far in Afghanistan.

FEYZABAD, AFGHANISTAN - SEPTEMBER 30: A Mongolian soldier guards a watch tower at the PRT (Provincial Reconstruction Team) on September 30, 2010 in Feyzabad, Afghanistan. Badakhshan province was free of Taliban until about a year ago, when they began infiltrating the region and have since killed several local government officials as well as attacked German ISAF soldiers on at least two occasions. Germany has more than 4,500 military forces in northern Afghanistan as part of the US-led ISAF International Security Assistance Force and the German role has shifted in recent years from reconstruction to combat as local Taliban presence has grown. A total of 45 Bundeswehr soldiers have been killed so far in Afghanistan.

FEYZABAD, AFGHANISTAN - OCTOBER 09: A German Bundeswehr soldier patrols high ground during a regular patrol on October 9, 2010 in Feyzabad, Afghanistan. Badakhshan province was free of Taliban until about a year ago, when they began infiltrating the region and have since killed several local government officials as well as attacked German ISAF soldiers on at least two occasions. Germany has more than 4,500 military forces in northern Afghanistan as part of the US-led ISAF International Security Assistance Force and the German role has shifted in recent years from reconstruction to combat as local Taliban presence has grown. A total of 45 Bundeswehr soldiers have been killed so far in Afghanistan.

MAZAR-E-SHARIF, AFGHANISTAN - SEPTEMBER 17: Afghan men transfer ballot boxes to a polling station September 17, 2010 in Mazar-e-sharif, Afghanistan. Security is of gaining importance as Afghanistan's second parliamentary election is scheduled for September 18, with about 2,500 candidates contesting the 249 seats in Afghanistan's Wolesi Jirga, or lower house of parliament.

MAZAR-E-SHARIF, AFGHANISTAN - SEPTEMBER 17: Afghan men transfer ballot boxes to a polling station September 17, 2010 in Mazar-e-sharif, Afghanistan. Security is of gaining importance as Afghanistan's second parliamentary election is scheduled for September 18, with about 2,500 candidates contesting the 249 seats in Afghanistan's Wolesi Jirga, or lower house of parliament.

MAZAR-E-SHARIF, AFGHANISTAN - SEPTEMBER 17: Afghans feed pigeons at the Blue Mosque after praying a day before the parliamentary election September 17, 2010 in Mazar-e-sharif, Afghanistan. Security is of gaining importance as Afghanistan's second parliamentary election is scheduled for September 18, with about 2,500 candidates contesting the 249 seats in Afghanistan's Wolesi Jirga, or lower house of parliament.

FEYZABAD, AFGHANISTAN - OCTOBER 12: German Bundeswehr soldiers of a OMLT unit (Operational Mentor and Liaison Team) fire a machine gun during a training session with Afghan National Army soldiers on October 12, 2010 in Feyzabad, Afghanistan. Badakhshan province was free of Taliban until about a year ago, when they began infiltrating the region and have since killed several local government officials as well as attacked German ISAF soldiers on at least two occasions. Germany has more than 4,500 military forces in northern Afghanistan as part of the US-led ISAF International Security Assistance Force and the German role has shifted in recent years from reconstruction to combat as local Taliban presence has grown. A total of 45 Bundeswehr soldiers have been killed so far in Afghanistan.

FEYZABAD, AFGHANISTAN - OCTOBER 14: A CH 53 helicopter lands at the PRT (Provincial Reconstruction Team) Feyzabad on October 14, 2010 in Feyzabad, Afghanistan. Badakhshan province was free of Taliban until about a year ago, when they began infiltrating the region and have since killed several local government officials as well as attacked German ISAF soldiers on at least two occasions. Germany has more than 4,500 military forces in northern Afghanistan as part of the US-led ISAF International Security Assistance Force and the German role has shifted in recent years from reconstruction to combat as local Taliban presence has grown. A total of 45 Bundeswehr soldiers have been killed so far in Afghanistan.

FEYZABAD, AFGHANISTAN - OCTOBER 12: Afghan National Army soldiers fix a machine gun during a training session with German Bundeswehr soldiers on October 12, 2010 in Feyzabad, Afghanistan. Badakhshan province was free of Taliban until about a year ago, when they began infiltrating the region and have since killed several local government officials as well as attacked German ISAF soldiers on at least two occasions. Germany has more than 4,500 military forces in northern Afghanistan as part of the US-led ISAF International Security Assistance Force and the German role has shifted in recent years from reconstruction to combat as local Taliban presence has grown. A total of 45 Bundeswehr soldiers have been killed so far in Afghanistan.

HERAT, AFGHANISTAN - SEPTEMBER 15: Police run a checkpoint in the street September 15, 2010 in Herat, Afghanistan. Security is of gaining importance as Afghanistan's second parliamentary election is scheduled for September 18, with about 2,500 candidates contesting the 249 seats in Afghanistan's Wolesi Jirga, or lower house of parliament.

HERAT, AFGHANISTAN - SEPTEMBER 15: Police run a checkpoint in the street September 15, 2010 in Herat, Afghanistan. Security is of gaining importance as Afghanistan's second parliamentary election is scheduled for September 18, with about 2,500 candidates contesting the 249 seats in Afghanistan's Wolesi Jirga, or lower house of parliament.

MAZAR-E-SHARIF, AFGHANISTAN - SEPTEMBER 17: Afghan men pray at the Blue Mosque a day before the parliamentary election September 17, 2010 in Mazar-e-sharif, Afghanistan. Security is of gaining importance as Afghanistan's second parliamentary election is scheduled for September 18, with about 2,500 candidates contesting the 249 seats in Afghanistan's Wolesi Jirga, or lower house of parliament.

MAZAR-E-SHARIF, AFGHANISTAN - SEPTEMBER 17: Afghan men pray at the Blue Mosque a day before the parliamentary election September 17, 2010 in Mazar-e-sharif, Afghanistan. Security is of gaining importance as Afghanistan's second parliamentary election is scheduled for September 18, with about 2,500 candidates contesting the 249 seats in Afghanistan's Wolesi Jirga, or lower house of parliament.

MAZAR-E-SHARIF, AFGHANISTAN - SEPTEMBER 17: An Afghan woman is surrounded by pigeons at the Blue Mosque a day before the parliamentary election September 17, 2010 in Mazar-e-sharif, Afghanistan. Security is of gaining importance as Afghanistan's second parliamentary election is scheduled for September 18, with about 2,500 candidates contesting the 249 seats in Afghanistan's Wolesi Jirga, or lower house of parliament.

MAZAR-E-SHARIF, AFGHANISTAN - SEPTEMBER 17: Pigeons fly at the Blue Mosque a day before the parliamentary election September 17, 2010 in Mazar-e-sharif, Afghanistan. Security is of gaining importance as Afghanistan's second parliamentary election is scheduled for September 18, with about 2,500 candidates contesting the 249 seats in Afghanistan's Wolesi Jirga, or lower house of parliament.

MAZAR-E-SHARIF, AFGHANISTAN - SEPTEMBER 17: An Afghan man feeds pigeons at the Blue Mosque after praying a day before the parliamentary election September 17, 2010 in Mazar-e-sharif, Afghanistan. Security is of gaining importance as Afghanistan's second parliamentary election is scheduled for September 18, with about 2,500 candidates contesting the 249 seats in Afghanistan's Wolesi Jirga, or lower house of parliament.

MAZAR-E-SHARIF, AFGHANISTAN - SEPTEMBER 17: Maliha Ahmadzia, a 25 year-old law and political science student at Mawlana University in Balkh province, who is running for parliament poses for a photo a day before the parliamentary election September 17, 2010 in Mazar-e-sharif, Afghanistan. Security is of gaining importance as Afghanistan's second parliamentary election is scheduled for September 18, with about 2,500 candidates contesting the 249 seats in Afghanistan's Wolesi Jirga, or lower house of parliament.

KABUL, AFGHANISTAN - SEPTEMBER 26: A close up of a music sheet for students at the Afghanistan National Institute of Music September 26, 2010 in Kabul, Afghanistan. Afghanistan's first and only music high school opened in June and now has 150 student, including 27 girls. The Taliban regime, from 1996 to 2001 banned all music, forcing many musicians to put away their instruments or go into exile. The school's aim is to revive long-neglected musical traditions using both Afghan and foreign instructors. 25 students were recruited from the war-ravaged country's large number of orphans and street children. The program is being supported by donor governments, international music colleges and instrument suppliers.

FEYZABAD , AFGHANISTAN - OCTOBER 05: Afghan boys pretend to play Buzkashi on their donkeys as German soldiers patrol on October 5, 2010 in Feyzabad, Afghanistan. Buzkashi is a traditional Central Asian team sport played on horseback in Afghanistan. Germany has more than 4,500 military forces in Afghanistan as part of the US-led International Security Assistance Force.

FEYZABAD, AFGHANISTAN - OCTOBER 05: An Afghan boy smiles while he and his friends pretend to play Buzkashi on their donkeys as German soldiers patrol on October 5, 2010 in Feyzabad, Afghanistan. Buzkashi is a traditional Central Asian team sport played on horseback in Afghanistan. Germany has more than 4,500 military forces in Afghanistan as part of the US-led International Security Assistance Force.

FEYZABAD, AFGHANISTAN - OCTOBER 05: Afghan boys pretend to play Buzkashi on their donkeys as German soldiers patrol on October 5, 2010 in Feyzabad, Afghanistan. Buzkashi is a traditional Central Asian team sport played on horseback in Afghanistan. Germany has more than 4,500 military forces in Afghanistan as part of the US-led International Security Assistance Force.