Thomas Withington
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Afghanistan's broad-based interim government is in danger of losing two influential figures.
Relations between Beijing and Washington may have improved as a result of the American-led war against the Taleban and its allies.
Moscow clearly wants to exert some influence over the new Afghan administration, but it may struggle to do so.
Further delays in the deployment of British troops in Afghanistan could undermine efforts to stabilise the country and secure humanitarian aid shipments.
If the new Afghan government bows to international pressure to ban poppy cultivation the economic consequences could be catastrophic.
Kabul should be wary of the motives of some of the countries contributing to the Afghan reconstruction process.
Afghans believe that the reconstruction of the famous Bamiyan Buddhas could prove to be an important, symbolic step towards the country's recovery.
The Americans and their allies face awesome challenges in trying to build a cohesive national force out of the country's quarrelsome militia groups.
Iran, India and Russia have long backed the continuation of armed conflict in Afghanistan.
The "Balkanisation" of Afghanistan is now a distinct possibility, as Afghan opposition commanders take charge of their old fiefdoms.