Crisis in Herat

In a moment of truth which will go a long way toward determining Afghanistan's future, Hamid Karzai has fired Herat governor Ismail Khan and appointed in his place one Muhammad Khair Khuwa. Many Heratis are opposed to this, however, which is now causing rioting in the streets. With American military backing, Karzai is seizing a moment of weakness for Khan, who just went through a major battle with another warlord. Getting control of the relatively prosperous Herat region would be a major victory for the central government, but many Heratis are undoubtedly unwilling to give in to a central government of any kind. Another factor in the background of this is that Ismail Khan was Iran's major ally among the Afghan warlords. They gave him arms, money, and provided development aid to his territory. Whether they will do anything to openly help in now is doubtful, but clandestine support is likely.