The man likely to be Afghanistan’s next leader entered Kandahar on Tuesday escorted by a fleet of white SUVs, showered by fireworks and greeted by thousands of Afghans, at least a few holding rocket-propelled grenades.... Many others just stared ahead, transfixed. Baradar had spent more than half of his adult life as an insurgent or a prisoner, once so certain of his defeat that he prepared a formal surrender after the U.S. invasion following the 9/ 11 terrorist attacks.... Right now, perhaps

( Reuters)-When armed members of the Afghan Taliban knocked on the door of their Kabul apartment, the family of 16 inside had crammed into the bathroom, turned off the lights and mobile phones and covered the children's mouths to keep them quiet. They did not know what to expect, but did not want to take any risks.... The records do not attribute blame for the deaths; the Taliban, then fighting against the government, have largely denied involvement." My family is in fear.... Every second they

KABUL, Afghanistan — The Taliban’s swagger is unmistakable.... “ 59 enemy personnel switch sides to Islamic Emirate, ” read one recent headline. Having outlasted the all-powerful Americans, the rest is child’s play, in the Taliban’s view.... “ They are planning to restore their Islamic emirate, ” he added, “ and they will punish all those involved in corruption and land grabbing.” Antonio Giustozzi, a leading Taliban expert, disputed the idea that the Taliban are necessarily bent on reimposing