Kabul- A city of hope and fear

Walking through the parks and bazaars of Kabul after many years covering the war in the south and the east of the country was both terrifying and liberating.
There is certainly a very real threat from suicide bombers and the “spectacular” attacks that garner international headlines, but the reality is that after walking through IED (improvised explosive device) infested orchards in Kandahar, and climbing mountains swarming with Taliban fighters in Nuristan and Kunar, Kabul felt like a different, much safer world.
Kabul is the heart of Afghanistan. It is the centre of politics and economics, and this is why the Mujahedeen fought the Soviets so hard here, and why the ensuing civil war was so brutal.
Now the Taliban know that although they cannot hope to re-occupy the city while international forces are in the country, keeping up attacks accomplishes two objectives; reminding the public in the West that their troops should leave, and reminding Afghans that once the foreigners are gone, the Taliban will be waiting.