Hamid Karzai

President of Afghanistan

After winning a democratic mandate in the election and removing many of the former Northern Alliance warlords from his cabinet, many thought that Karzai would persue a more aggressively reformist path in 2005. However Karzai has proved to be more cautious than was expected, even going as far as to fire his Finance Minister, who was the most visible reformer.

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Nevertheless, most experts agree that Afghanistan is gradually becoming more stable, despite the upsurge in Taliban violence before the Parliamentary elections. At least 28 Battalions of the Afghani Army are now capable of combat operations, with more in training. The Afghan Economy has been growing rapidly for the first time in years and government revenue is increasing, although it still relies completely on foreign aid.

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