Karzai abandons Taliban peace talks

I don't think this is the first attempt on Karzais life and I doubt it will be the last.

Definately not. I only bring it up because of the timing. Sure it COULD be coincidence, but...

Laymen speaking, but I'm starting to wonder why Karzai doesn't just resign and skip the country.

fog@He's a politician they don't usually like to give up their power or use their brain power.

But his days are clearly numbered. He's vilified by his own backers, i.e. Americans. If he died tomorrow there would be much rejoicing. Has he never cracked open a book? Or an encyclopedia under "D", for Diem?

Well even if his doom wasn't impending, he's got an expiry date...he can't run for president again when his term ends. I figure he thinks he might as well enjoy the perks of power while he can since he'll have left office the same year the Americans do.

In short, he figures he won't end up like Najibullah since he'll already be gone by then.

He's already fucking rich. Just go retire to the south of France and enjoy your perks of Still Breathing.

Two things:

Never underestimate the lust for power. Najibullah, much like Karmal before him, could have fled to Moscow and retired happy. The possibility of continuing on in the post-Communist Afghanistan was too tempting. Likewise Karzai.

Never underestimate the power of nationalism. The man was practically born into Afghan politics, being of the same tribe as the former King.

@Radical Taoist: If four nuclear armed powers go at it, invest in bomb shelters.

Russia glassing China is not likely to be good for humanity as a whole.