Issues

Focus on Afghanistan Focus on Afghanistan- Audio and video footage looking at the country and the situation there. Analysis: Catching Bin Laden Analysis: Catching Bin Laden- How feasible would it be for the United States to capture its "prime suspect" in last week's attacks, Osama Bin Laden, asks the BBC. Mixed Response to 'Sky Marshal' Plan Mixed Response to 'Sky Marshal' Plan- Possible plans to introduce plain-clothes agents on flights and equip airline pilots with weapons have been met with a mixed response by News… UN Evacuates Afghanistan Staff UN Evacuates Afghanistan Staff- The United Nations moved staff out of Afghanistan, fearing US strikes on the country after terror attacks on America. Bin Laden Extradition Raised Bin Laden Extradition Raised- Afghanistan's ruling Taleban militia say they will study any evidence of Osama bin Laden's involvement in the US terror attacks, but ruled out an imm… US Attacks Shock South Asia US Attacks Shock South Asia- South Asian nations spoke out against the devastating attacks on the United States, as they stepped up security around US installations. US Attack Hits Karachi Market US Attack Hits Karachi Market- The main index in Pakistan's biggest stock exchange in Karachi lost nearly 50 points after the attacks in the US. Taleban Tense as US Seeks Targets Taleban Tense as US Seeks Targets- The BBC's John Simpson analyses why the Taleban's relationship with Osama Bin Laden could be its undoing. 'Bangladeshis Killed in US Tragedy' 'Bangladeshis Killed in US Tragedy'- At least 50 Bangladeshis were killed in the attack on the World Trade Center in New York according to the Dhaka government. Taleban Chief Defends Bin Laden Taleban Chief Defends Bin Laden- The Taleban's reclusive leader asserts Osama Bin Laden's innocence as Kabul braces for a retaliatory operation by the United States. Pakistan Weighs up US Demands Pakistan Weighs up US Demands- Pakistan's military leadership has yet to give a firm response to US requests for help in rooting out those behind Tuesday's attacks, reports the BB… India Offers US Military Backing India Offers US Military Backing- India offered full operational backing to the US in the event of military retaliation for the terror attacks in New York and Washington. Indians Desperate for News Indians Desperate for News- The BBC's Daniel Lak looks at the impact of the tragedy in New York on family and friends of victims in India. Aid Agencies Warn of Afghan Crisis Aid Agencies Warn of Afghan Crisis- Aid agencies and the UN say Afghans could flood out of the country in search of food following the withdrawal of aid workers. Pakistanis Pray for US Victims Pakistanis Pray for US Victims- Special Friday prayers have taken place at mosques in Pakistan for those killed in Tuesday's attacks in Washington and New York. Taleban Prepares for Battle Taleban Prepares for Battle- Afghanistan's ruling Taleban warned the US that it would retaliate if a military strike was launched against its country. Analysis: Pakistan's Dilemma Analysis: Pakistan's Dilemma- President Musharraf has pledged support for the US, but many in his country are strongly supportive of Osama Bin Laden, reports the BBC. Pakistan 'Will Comply' on Terror Pakistan 'Will Comply' on Terror- Islamabad says it will adhere to any UN resolutions on terrorism following pressure from the US to co-operate in any attack on Afghanistan. UN Emergency Teams in Pakistan UN Emergency Teams in Pakistan- The UN refugee agency sends a large emergency team to Pakistan as thousands of people leave their homes in Afghanistan Analysis: Pakistan's Role in US plans Analysis: Pakistan's Role in US plans- Looks at the implications of Pakistan's agreement to co-operate with the US in its campaign against Osama Bin Laden. Fears of New Afghan Exodus Fears of New Afghan Exodus- Iran shuts its border with Afghanistan fearing a new wave of refugees fleeing US reprisals against the Taleban and Osama Bin Laden. Pakistan Seeks Bin Laden Handover Pakistan Seeks Bin Laden Handover- Pakistan is to send a delegation to persuade the Taleban to hand over Osama Bin Laden as Afghans flee from possible US attacks. On Edge: Afghanistan's Neighbours On Edge: Afghanistan's Neighbours- Afghanistan's neighbours have much to be concerned about in the current crisis, whatever their view of the Taleban, reports the BBC. US Seeks Bangladesh Assistance US Seeks Bangladesh Assistance- The United States asks Bangladesh for the use of its ports and airports in the event of possible attacks against Afghanistan. Indian Muslim Leader Warns of Protests Indian Muslim Leader Warns of Protests- The chief cleric of India's largest mosque warns the US not to attack Afghanistan without proof of its role in last Tuesday's events. Afghanistan - A Tough Military Option Afghanistan - A Tough Military Option- Eurasia analyst Malcolm Haslett assesses the difficulty the United States is likely to face if it decides to launch a strike against Afghani… Indian Markets Crash Indian Markets Crash- Indian stocks hit an eight-year low as investors sell heavily amid fears of a US strike on Afghanistan. UN Prepares for Major Afghan Crisis UN Prepares for Major Afghan Crisis- The UN refugee agency is sending emergency staff to Pakistan and Iran, warning of a possible major humanitarian disaster for Afghans. Pakistan's Views Possible US Retaliation Pakistan's Views Possible US Retaliation- Owen Bennett Jones asks the people of Peshawar about their views on any impending US military action. India and Pakistan Watch Afghanistan India and Pakistan Watch Afghanistan- The BBC's Mike Wooldridge examines how the emerging situation in Afghanistan is likely to affect relations between India and Pakistan. Analysis: Who are the Taleban? Analysis: Who are the Taleban?- BBC News Online looks at the history and background of the Taleban movement that has ruled much of Afghanistan for the last four years. Pakistani Hospitals on Alert Pakistani Hospitals on Alert- Emergency measures are ordered in hospitals in south-west Pakistan in anticipation of a possible attack by the US on Afghanistan. Analysis: Pakistan's Tough Choice Analysis: Pakistan's Tough Choice- The events of last week in the US have pushed Pakistan into choosing between its old ally, the United States, and its closest neighbour, Afghani… Afghan Exodus Gathers Pace Afghan Exodus Gathers Pace- Thousands of refugees defied border closures to escape the threat of US strikes, as the Taleban delayed a decision on extraditing Osama Bin Laden. Bin Laden's Afghan Victims Bin Laden's Afghan Victims- Kate Clark hears evidence of a scorched earth policy carried out by the Taleban to counter resistance. Airlines Suspend Sri Lanka Flights Airlines Suspend Sri Lanka Flights- Gulf Air and Emirates suspended services to Sri Lanka after a massive increase in war-risk insurance on flights to Colombo. US 'Planned Attack on Taleban' US 'Planned Attack on Taleban'- The BBC is told that the US was planning military action against Osama bin Laden and the Taleban even before last week's attacks. Karachi Protest Against US Karachi Protest Against US- Thousands of religious students in the Pakistani city of Karachi protested at possible military action by the US against Afghanistan. Letter From Afghanistan Letter From Afghanistan- An Afghan who is trapped at the Pakistan border makes a plea to the United States in a letter smuggled out to the BBC. The Taleban Military Machine The Taleban Military Machine- BBC defence correspondent Jonathan Marcos examines possible US strategies for attacking the Taleban. Who is Osama Bin Laden? Who is Osama Bin Laden?- The United States suspects Osama Bin Laden, a wealthy Saudi-born dissident based in Afghanistan, is behind a string of terrorist attacks. Anti-Taleban Faction Sides with Bin Laden Anti-Taleban Faction Sides with Bin Laden- A leading figure in Afghanistan's anti-Taleban opposition says his group would fight alongside the Taleban if the US invaded. Bangladesh Agrees to US Facilities Request Bangladesh Agrees to US Facilities Request- The caretaker government of Bangladesh agrees to a request by the United States to use the nation's airspace, airfields and port facili… Kabul Checkpoints Stem Refugee Exodus Kabul Checkpoints Stem Refugee Exodus- The Taleban set up checkpoints around Kabul to restrict movement, as refugees try desperately to escape to Pakistan. Bomb Blast in Pakistan Bomb Blast in Pakistan- At least six people were killed in a bomb explosion in the Pakistani town of Sialkot, near the Indian border. Taleban Demand Proof on Bin Laden Taleban Demand Proof on Bin Laden- The leader of Afghanistan's Taleban regime tells a meeting of senior clerics that Osama Bin Laden will not be extradited without evidence. Embassies Act on Pakistan Unrest Embassies Act on Pakistan Unrest- Western embassies in Pakistan order the families of diplomats and non-essential staff to leave the capital, Islamabad. Bring Afghans Together Urges UN official Bring Afghans Together Urges UN official- A senior United Nations official has urged the United States and its allies to bring Afghans into its coalition against Osama bin Laden. US Gets Bangladesh Backing US Gets Bangladesh Backing- Bangladesh's caretaker government agrees to a request by the US for logistical support in the event of an attack on Afghanistan. Air India Introduces Plastic Cutlery Air India Introduces Plastic Cutlery- India's international carrier, Air India, says it has replaced its steel and silver-plated cutlery with plastic.