To the Point
Afghanistan Holds Historic Presidential Election on Saturday
Saturday's election could determine how long US forces stay in Afghanistan. Has our longest war paved the way for democracy? Will voter fraud compromise the outcome?
By Warren Olney • • 51m ListenThis weekend's presidential election could determine how much longer US forces remain in Afghanistan. Has America's longest war paved the way for real democracy? Will violence and voter fraud compromise the outcome? Also, another Fort Hood shooting, and a secret Twitter-like messaging service created by the US to undermine Communist Cuba.
Banner image: Afghan election commission workers load ballot boxes on a car at Ghori village at the Adraskan district of Herat Province April 3, 2014. Photo: Omar Sobhani/Reuters
In this episode
3 storiesAnother Fort Hood Shooting
Three of the victims shot yesterday at Ford Hood, Texas have died along with the shooter, who killed himself. Three others are in critical condition.
Read the story8 minHas Democracy Come to Afghanistan?
With Hamid Karzai termed out of office, eight candidates are running for president of Afghanistan. Some US officials claim this weekend's election will accomplish "the first, peaceful, democratic" transition of power in that country's history. But it might not turn out that way.
Read the story34 minBay of Pigs in 140 Characters?
It sounds like a fantasy TV script or a failed CIA effort, but a plan to undermine the government of Cuba was created by the US Agency for International Development. Associated Press reports -- from 1000 pages of documents and "multiple interviews"-- that USAID drew 40,000 Cubans onto a clandestine cell-phone messaging network.
Read the story9 min
