In the Pursuit of Future

By: Habib Sangar Afghanistan, taking into consideration its geopolitical location, for many centuries has been the center of focus for conquerors and superpowers. However, over the past 30 years and with the emergence of other regional actors (China, India, Iran, and Pakistan), the regional dynamics within the region that has had a direct impact over the situation in Afghanistan has been greatly shifted otherwise. Looking at the current situation of Afghanistan, its weak and corrupted administration, poorly equipped and fragile National Army and Police, as well as weak economy, the country has a long way towards being able to stand on its own feet and to defend its citizens against any kind of inside and outside threats. Unless there is a long-term guarantee and assurance that is more likely to be created with the long-term presence of the United States and its NATO allies on the ground, the likelihood of relapsing back into chaos is undeniable. The negotiation...

It was a windy dark night. Things could hardly be seen as I was riding my bike to one of my friend’s house.   There was no reason going to his place in that late evening other than to borrow the Titanic movie which was just released that year.   There was neither shop nor any other places where someone could buy or rent movies in the country.   The country, by then, was ruled by the ferocious regime of Taliban. While riding bike in the evening, there was no less chances of not to be stopped by the Taliban, and therefore I made sure to be ready to trick them in case if I was stopped for search. I had a metal box of oil tied to the backside of my bike.   It was looking as new and heavy as if it was full of oil.   Once getting those movies, I would place them into that box before heading back for my destination.   I was in my late teenage years, so I would take any risk to watch that movie as I had heard so much about it.   I, also, had to tr...

By: Habib Sangar Monterey CA The university itself is located right across the Kabul river to the left and Kabul - Jalalabad highway to the right. This is one of the most beautiful campuses I have ever been to. The natural and ragged beauty surrounding this area has its own distinct attributes that would be hardly found elsewhere. Only a mile or so towards the west, there is the end tail of popular Black mountain, while the spectacular view of White mountain, even though it’s laid hundreds of miles to the south, can be enjoyed from the every corners of the campus. The Darunta electrical dam, which electrifies Jalalabad city, and including this beautiful campus, has provided an amazing destination for the students as well as for the people to go and enjoy the waterfall as well as the delicious fried fish which is served out there. However, despite of its natural beauty and attractiveness, the campus establishments and infrastructure have larg...