Joshua Partlow

Recent stories written by Joshua Partlow

Top Afghan accused of graft (11/18/2009)

KABUL – The Afghan minister of mines accepted a roughly $30 million bribe to award the country's largest development project to a Chinese mining firm, according to a U.S. official who is familiar with military intelligence reports.

Clash between rivals threatens Afghan runoff (10/27/2009)

KABUL, Afghanistan – In a day of military tragedy and political drama, 11 American troops and three U.S. civilians died Monday in two helicopter crashes in rural Afghanistan, while President Hamid Karzai and his top political rival escalated their dispute over conditions for holding a runoff election scheduled for Nov. 7.

Afghan votes tossed (10/20/2009)

WASHINGTON – Obama administration officials said they expect President Hamid Karzai to announce today that he will accept a runoff in Afghanistan's disputed election, following the invalidation of more than a million of his votes by the commission investigating fraud in the Aug. 20 race.

Karzai may face runoff election (10/16/2009)

WASHINGTON – An investigation of allegedly fraudulent ballots in Afghanistan's troubled election has reduced President Hamid Karzai's portion of the vote to about 47 percent, an outcome that will trigger a runoff between him and his closest competitor, according officials familiar with results.

Afghan vote challenged (8/24/2009)

KABUL, Afghanistan – The main challenger to Afghan President Hamid Karzai said Sunday he has received "alarming" reports of "widespread rigging" in Thursday's presidential election by pro-government groups and officials, but he called on supporters to be patient and said he hopes the problem will be resolved through the official election review.