Just in case we might forget that other front in the "War against terror, here an extract from a news item from today's Guardian (Civil war fear as Afghan city falls to warlord :

"Fighters loyal to one of Afghanistan's most powerful warlords have seized a major northern city from pro-government forces, raising fears that the country is sliding into civil war. ..

The forces of General Abdul Rashid Dostum, a special adviser to President Hamid Karzai, who is known for crushing his prisoners under tanks, invaded the northern province of Faryab on Wednesday…

During the Soviet occupation of Afghanistan, Gen Dostum emerged as the leader of a pro-Soviet militia. He has since changed sides many times in three conflicts, turning first against the Soviet-backed administration, then against the mojahedin government that replaced it….

… As a leader of the anti-Taliban Northern Alliance, Gen Dostum was a firm favourite with the US. He was rewarded with the job of deputy defence minister in Mr Karzai's first cabinet.