Media Summary

October 21, 2010

Update: local media react (or don’t) to the preliminary Wolesi Jirga results. More talk of talks, this time focusing on the possible role of Saudi Arabia.

October 20, 2010

News Summary, Oct 20

Update: the IEC releases preliminary results, confirming that it has thrown out more than 20% of the vote, and acknowledging the move reflects "problems. But we did our best in very difficult circumstances."

October 19, 2010

News Summary, Oct 19

Update: Talks in Rome on Afghanistan are given a slight boost by the presence of Iran; the IEC says it will definitely issue preliminary results on Wednesday. Analysts are neither holding their breath, nor are they holding back on conjecture about the reasons behind the delay.

October 18, 2010

News Summary, Oct 18

Update: Media interest in the election returns after the IEC again delays preliminary results, and speculation grows about why—and just how many votes will in the end be discounted.

October 17, 2010

News Summary, Oct 17

Update: The IEC delays announcing the Wolesi Jirga election results for three days, saying it needed more time to ensure fairness and transparency.

Afghanistan – Election

October 15, 2010

News Summary, Oct 16

Update: More stories and analysis on the peace talks. The IEC says it is on track to release preliminary results of the Wolesi Jirga elections on Sunday; the ECC says it’s giving candidates accused of fraud five days to respond to their accusers.

Afghanistan – Election

October 15, 2010

News Summary, Oct 15

Update: Media focus remains on the peace talks, which may or may not be making progress and significant.

Afghanistan – Security

October 14, 2010

News Summary, Oct 14

Update: Taliban representatives are visiting Kabul for talks, but everything is still early stages.

October 13, 2010

News Summary, Oct 13 pm

Update: ECC shows its teeth by taking on the mayor of Herat. Karzai’s peace council comes to life with its first meeting, but not everyone is impressed or optimistic.

DI is grateful to Colin Cookman of the Center for American Progress for contributing significantly to our afternoon summaries. Colin was a senior member of our Kabul-based media team during the election. To receive the Center for American Progress' full daily summary of Afghanistan, Pakistan, and related news, please subscribe here.

October 12, 2010

News Summary, Oct 12 pm

Update: A review of surveillance footage led U.S. officials to ponder the possibility that a British aid worker may have been killed by friendly fire. Peace talks with the Taliban may not be as far advanced as media are suggesting, but there are signs that Karzai may be softening his position.