Afghanistan in 2011: Positioning for an Uncertain Future.

This article discusses the political environment of Afghanistan in 2011, including the assassinations of politicians Ahmad Wali Karzai and Ghulam Haidar as well as the withdrawal of U.S. troops. Topics include the increased military hostility in North and East Afghanistan from groups such as the Taliban's Quetta Shura (Quetta Council), the Haqqani network, and the Hezb-e Islami (Party of Islam) of Gulbuddin Hekmaytar, the death of Osama bin Ladin in Pakistan on May 1, 2011, and the political turmoil faced by Afghan President Hamid Karzai due to conflict over the legitimacy of the Wolesi Jirga Parliament elections.