An indicator on Afghanistan

I don't know why this struck me, but the violence in Afghanistan is becoming broad enough that we're beginning to see "catchall articles." It used to be there was maybe one or two Afghanistan articles written about one or two specific acts of violence. Now...

Seven dead in Taliban attacks across Afghanistan

A series of Taliban-linked attacks across Afghanistan has left seven people dead, including a provincial councillor who was shot dead on his way to work in the southern city of Kandahar.

Also: This troubling article in the Independent about the shortage of helicopters supporting the British troops.