More on Afghan Warlords

Al-Jazeera has an article up on the economic power of Afghanistan's warlords which you must read. Ismail Khan is collecting more in taxes in Herat than the Karzai government which ostensibly rules the entire country. Another interesting note was that putative American ally Uzbekistan is supporting Abd ar-Rashid Dostum, who has been only questionably supportive of Karzai. One thing I definitely fear is that neighboring powers will keep the rival warlords around so they can avoid having to negotiate with a central government in Kabul. This can only be bad for future stability.