News from Afghanistan...

Again, thanks to Miserable Donuts

- Taliban believes the hype thanks to the European Press

- USDOD's Five Year Afghanistan Report. A few interesting facts from the Report:

(1) Women in Politics: Women hold 68 of 188 seats in the lower house of parliament.
(2) Independent Radio:There are now 32 independent radio stations that reach 60 percent of the population.
(3) Refugees Return: At least 4.7 million refugees have returned to Afghanistan.
(4) Education: At least 5 million students are enrolled, a 500 percent increase since 2001. Of these, 40 percent are women and girls.
(5) Health Care: At least 80 percent of the population has access to at least basic health care.
(6) Economy: The Afghanistan economy was valued at $2.4 billion in 2002. The number for 2006 is $7.3 billion, and projected to rise to $8.8 billion next year.
(7) Per Capita Income: Doubled since 2001.
(8) Property Rights: More than 3 million land deeds and more than 55,000 businesses have been registered since 2001. At least 85 percent of all property deeds have been restored or reorganized, decreasing land-ownership disputes.
(9) Tax Revenue: The government of Afghanistan collected more than $177 million in revenue in 2002–2003, and $300 million in 2004–2005, an increase of 70 percent. President Karzai estimates the revenue for 2005–2006 will be $500 million

Not too shabby for just five years.

- Afghan soldiers and police training in the U.S.