People vs. Warlords

IWPR has an article about people starting to stand up to the warlords in Afghanistan. That Afghans feel comfortable enough to protest property seizures and demand restitution is a hopeful sign that, against my earlier expectations, things in that country ultimately might work out. I'm still not calling it a democracy, but the elements are starting to come together for a thriving civil society even outside of Kabul that can ultimately fill with meaning the processes which have been created.