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From Afghanistan to Gaza — When War Hides Among Civilians

By: Former Member of the Targeting Board, Afghan Ministry of Defense (2017–2021) In every war, the line between “legitimate defense” and “civilian casualties” is far thinner than it appears from the outside. I have seen this reality firsthand — during my years at the Afghan Ministry of Defense, I was responsible for reviewing and approving airstrike operations. Today, when I look at Gaza, I see the same scenario — only on a larger scale and in a far more densely populated geography. I focused only on the technical aspects and the parts I found essential. I chose not to include the legal dimension — partly because legal debates around this issue have already become overly saturated, and partly because I don’t believe the law can offer a truly rational answer in this particular case. This analysis is therefore focused on operational realities rather than legal debates. In Afghanistan, our official policy was clear: no airstrike could target a mosque, school, hospital, or civilian ...
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A Boy in the Shadow of War: A Story of Tribe, Taliban, and America

In traditional, tribal societies, the birth of a son is not simply a private blessing but a symbol of power and a means for economic survival. The more sons a family has, the greater its standing within the tribe. This equates to possessing a private army during disputes over land, honor, pride, or any other tribal obsession. Perhaps it is from this belief that the discrimination against women and their relegation to second-class status in society originate. In the community where I was born and raised, the boy carries such importance that daughters are often regarded as commodities—sold or exchanged to secure brides or to finance the needs of the sons. When it comes to marriage, especially within the traditional Pashtun tribes of my birthplace, no regard is given to the groom’s age, social standing, or whether he already has wives and children. Nor does the daughter’s age—whether seven or fifteen—matter. If a suitor is willing to pay more, the father offers his daughter’s hand, bi...
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