Rebellion Of Padshah Khan Zadran In

Juan Cole 09/10/2002

The rebellion of Padshah Khan Zadran in Eastern Afghanistan appears to have failed for the moment. The disaffected warlord, who has vowed to overthrow Karzai, had rockets fired into the middle of Khost. He was trying to take the city from Governor Muhammad Hakim Tanival, Karzai’s appointee.

Tanival’s forces have fought off the challenge. But when you have to fight for your governorship in this way, it is not exactly a sign of stability. Why doesn’t the US intervene against Zadran? He has been talking treason for months and now he is causing bloodshed.

About the Author

Juan Cole is the founder and chief editor of Informed Comment. He is Richard P. Mitchell Distinguished University Professor in the History Department at the University of Michigan He is author of, among many other books, Muhammad: Prophet of Peace amid the Clash of Empires and The Rubaiyat of Omar Khayyam. Follow him on Twitter at @jricole or the Informed Comment Facebook Page