Across Afghanistan suicide attacks are on the rise and in much of the country U.S.-allied forces confront a revived Taliban. A surprising exception is the eastern province of Khost, a hotbed of insurgent activity and al-Qaida ties since before 9-11 but today an unlikely oasis of hope in a troubled land.
Afghanistan: Mosque
Published October 9, 2007
A splendid blue mosque sits near the 4th Brigade headquarters on Forward Operating Base Salerno.
Its light blue color is more striking because it is in a sea of beige buildings. It has smooth steps made of concrete and stone and carpets inside cover the floors.
Set beside a shady tree, the workers use the mosque as a community center and place to pray. This afternoon when I walked by, several of the locals were asleep on mats in the main room...
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On one of my last days in Khost in 2007, I remember the 82nd Airborne Division paratroopers guarding Forward Operating Base Salerno's main gate were shocked that we'd go into the city without guns
In March 2008, The Pulitzer Center partnered with Helium to launch its first round of the Global Issues/Citizen Voices Contest. Find the winning essays here.
Grantee
Kevin Maurer has covered the military as an embedded journalist for The Fayetteville Observer for four years.
In 2003, he followed 82nd Airborne Division paratroopers in Iraq during the...
