Salma Yaqoob

The situation in Afghanistan continues to depress. Civilian causalities have risen dramatically and the war is getting more brutal. Yesterday's media carried this shocking account of the flogging and murder of a pregnant Afghan woman by the Taliban for allegedly having an 'illicit affair'. Western policy is failing and talks with the Taliban are inevitable. Later today BBC Radio 4 broadcast the first of three programmes on conflict resolution entitled Talking to the Enemy. The series looks very interesting and includes an interview with Alastair Crooke from Conflict Forum. Part one is broadcast tonight at 20:45pm, 2nd and 3rd episodes on the 18th and 25th August.