Afghan President Hamid Karzai, America's and NATO's key ally in the war on the Taliban and al Qaeda, turned furiously on the United States in a public outburst Saturday, June 18. He accused Washington of carrying on direct talks with the Taliban behind Kabul's back and contaminating the Afghan environment with the chemical pollutants used in NATO war operations. DEBKAfile: Kabul and Islamabad have begun reorienting their policies on coordination with Saudi Arabia in common cause against Obama policies.
Saudi women start driving for the front seat
DEBKAfile Special Report
The numbers were small, around 40, but the Women2Drive towards independence in a male-dominated society was certainly the most motorized protest of the Arab revolt. King Abdullah has begun opening the door of government to women's employment and women drivers were allowed Thursday, June 17, to get away with taking the wheel for a day. But the royal house is divided on this issue and at least one powerful prince, Interior Minister Prince Nayef, and most of the religious establishment hold out strongly against liberal or democratic reform.
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