Heard In Afghanistan: Mehsud's Death Has Major Impact

Pakistani Taliban Chief's Death Would Have Major Impact
August 7 -- Pakistani Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi has said authorities are heading to a remote eastern tribal district "to be one hundred percent sure" that Pakistan's Taliban chief, Baitullah Mehsud, was among those killed in a recent missile strike. But would Mehsud's death truly be a major blow to the Pakistani Taliban? RFE/RL's Abubakar Siddique takes a closer look. [Read in English]

NATO Changes Leadership at Difficult Moment
August 1 -- On August 1, former Danish Prime Minister Anders Fogh Rasmussen took over as Secretary General of the NATO alliance. He is confronted with immediate challenges, the most pressing of which is NATO's effort in Afghanistan, which appears to be stagnating as the shooting war heats up. Radio Azadi examines Rasmussen's chances of success. [Read in English]

Afghan Athlete Wins Gold
August 5 -- Afghanistan's Taekwondo star, Nesar Ahmad Bahawi, has won the country's first gold medal at the First Asian Martial Arts Games in Bangkok, Thailand. Speaking to Radio Azadi minutes after besting his rival in the final round, Bahawi said, "I dedicate this medal to my war-torn nation." This is the second time Bahawi has made a name for his country on the world athletic stage - he finished with the silver medal at the 2007 World Taekwondo Championships in Beijing. [Read in Dari]

Team 'Abdullah' Beats 'Karzai' on Volleyball Court
August 6 -- Supporters of Abdullah Abdullah and Hamid Karzai, the two leading candidates in the upcoming August 20 presidential elections, competed in a friendly volleyball match on Monday in the western Ghor Province, Radio Azadi reports. Team Abdullah defeated Team Karzai three games to two.