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Emran Feroz is an Afghan-Austrian journalist currently based in Stuttgart, Germany. He is regularly writing from Afghanistan, often focusing on the Middle East, Central Asia, drone warfare, refugee policies and human rights. Emran is writing in both German and English. His work has already appeared in international media outlets such as Al Jazeera, The Intercept, Alternet, The Atlantic or the New York Times and in various German and Austrian news papers and magazines.
In Afghanistan, Warlordism Is Still A Huge Problem
2017 ended in Afghanistan with heavy political clashes between the Afghan government in Kabul and one of its members, Atta Muhammad Noor, governor of the northern province of Balkh.
Balkh was ruled by Atta during the last 13 years. In fact, the warlord, who became famous during both the war against the Soviets and the Afghan Civil War in the 1990s, ruled the province like a king or, as some describe it, like a dictator.
The former Mujahideen fighter has cut his long beard, started to wear expensive suits and became incredibly rich. He has his own palace and his private army.
But last month, Afghan President Ashraf Ghani fired Noor.
However, in Afghanistan things are different. In a typical strongman manner, Noor did not accept the decision of the government in Kabul. He even threatened to smash the teeth of his former friend and colleague, Abdullah Abdullah, now the country's Chief Executive Officer.
Observers believe that Ghani's move would not have been possible without American support. But now, Noor is wooing Washington's attention too.
Although another person has already been selected as Balkh's new governor, Noor does not want to leave, and he is convinced that is not going to change soon.
"They were thinking I was the same as the governors they had appointed with a piece of paper and removed with a piece of paper. I am the operational chief of a strong political party, I am part of a strong coalition, and the people trust me for who I am, for my charisma", he told the NYT.
