1.0link225058<![CDATA[Ballots Not Bullets for Afghanistan]]>http://www.huffingtonpost.com/amb-tim-carney/ballots-not-bullets-for-a_b_225058.htmlOn August 20, Afghanistan holds only the second election in its long and often turbulent history. For its own people, this is a historic event. For the many nations helping Afghanistan with troops and aid, it is a critical watershed.
Elections held in a conflict zone are always far more difficult, and the enemies of Afghanistan's freedom and democracy are now far more active and dangerous than they were in 2004 when the first election was held.