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Reports on concerns of the United States regarding the alleged meddling by Iran in neighboring Afghanistan. Idea that Iran may be attempting to topple the interim Afghan government; Struggle between pro-Western reformists, led by democratically elected President Mohammed Khatami, and religious conservatives loyal to Iran's Supreme Leader, Ayatullah Ali Khamenei; Belief that Iran is funneling weapons to Ismail Khan, the strongman in the Afghan city of Herat who has been reluctant to obey the new government.

Discusses the United States-led war against the Taliban in Afghanistan. Bombardment of key cities, including Kabul, in order to help the Taliban opposition, the Northern Alliance; Pressure in the United States government and internationally to show results in the war or discontinue it; Increased bombing and release of additional ground troops by the United States to speed up the war; Public relations efforts to maintain support for the military.

Discusses the United States-led war on terrorism in Afghanistan. Impact of the execution of Abdul Haq, who led opposition against the Taliban regime; Suggestions on how to improve American military strategy; Discussion of the need to accept a long war, and the assertion that the Northern Alliance does not look ready for war; Possible accidental bombing of civilian targets; Concern about Muslim sentiment in Pakistan; Support of Northern Alliance ground forces with bombing; The potential impact of bad weather.

Reports on the progress of plans to retaliate against al-Qaeda, who are suspected to be the terrorists who attacked the United States in September, 2001. Necessity of building a global coalition against terrorism; Previous attempts to retaliate against terrorist Osama bin Laden; Probability that armed retaliation may be limited to Afghanistan; Reaction of the Taliban government to the possibility of a U.S. attack; Limits of a military approach. INSET: Why the Spooks Screwed Up, by J.F.O McAllister.

Addresses the question of who will rule Afghanistan if the Taliban falls. Possible contenders for leadership; Attitudes of bordering nations; Realization by the United States and its allies of the need for a stable postwar Afghanistan; The challenges which Afghanistan faces; Why Iran and Pakistan are interested in Afghanistan's future government; Question of United Nations involvement; Role of the U.S. in rebuilding. INSET: ONCE AND FUTURE LORDS?.

Reports on the debate over how peace can be established and maintained in Afghanistan without making targets of American forces. Possibility that U.S. forces could be perceived by various Afghan factions as favoring one side or another; Question of what the long-term role of international peacekeepers will be; The main focus of American military activity, according to Douglas Feith, Under Secretary of Defense for Policy.

Focuses on the political leadership of Afghanistan following the imminent capitulation of the Taliban government. Significance of Kabul, which is held by Northern Alliance troops, to Afghan leadership; Details of the various groups vying for leadership, including the Northern Alliance, exiled Pashtun leaders, regional warlords and others; Political influence of countries with interests in Afghanistan; Difficulty of uniting Afghan factions to form a viable government.

Discusses members of the Taliban in Afghanistan who may not believe in all that their group teaches them. Speculation on the involvement of moderate Taliban members in a coalition government after the war; Description of moderates, including Jalaluddin Haqqani and Mullah Mohammad Hasan Rahmani; Speculation on salvaging part of the Taliban.

Focuses on European support for the United States-led bombing of Afghanistan. Comment made by British foreign minister, Jack Straw, about the apparent faltering of public support for the campaign among European allies; Lack of significant and tangible results from the bombing, as of four weeks into the campaign; Drop in the approval rating of French President Jacques Chirac; Evidence of rising support for a pause in the bombing to allow aid convoys into Afghanistan.