“Dost thou think, because thou art virtuous, there shall be no more cakes and ale?”

About Aziz Hakimi

Aziz Hakimi is an Afghan writer and journalist. He is the founder and editor at nebesht.com, the Persian Creative Writing Magazine.

Articles by Aziz Hakimi

This week’s front page editor

Adam Bychawski is an editorial assistant at openDemocracy.

European integration

Six countries. Six different paths to EU integration.

No to TTIP

The secretive EU-US trade deal explained

To the BBC: don’t give airtime to the Taliban’s threats

Aziz Hakimi 7 February 2016

Afghanis inside and outside the country have been angered by the BBC's interview with a Taliban spokesman directly after a suicide attack, in which he announced a new target.

How big are our imaginary lizards?

Aziz Hakimi 16 October 2015

The obviousness of simple facts often get so tainted by political antagonism and conspiracy theories that they pull nations apart, making us forget that no one’s blood is darker than the other.

Capturing Baradar: the ISI reformed?

Aziz Hakimi 19 February 2010

The capture of Taliban number two Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar has been hailed as indicating a change of approach by Pakistani intelligence agency, the ISI. With a reformed image and important bargaining card, Pakistan looks set to benefit from the move.

Amnesty and justice in Afghanistan: "a nose made of dough"

Aziz Hakimi 16 February 2010

In a bid to sweeten talks with disaffected Taliban, Karzai has revived a controversial amnesty law praising the mujahedin as national heroes while ignoring their crimes. If enforced, hopes that the toppling of the Taliban in 2001 might still bring about government in line with justice, democracy and respect for human rights will again be dashed, says Aziz Hakimi

Af-Pak: what strategic depth?

Aziz Hakimi 4 February 2010

Pakistan's military and political class have obsessed over gaining 'strategic depth' in Afghanistan for years, but the at times absurd concept is incompatible with Pakistan's zero-sum approach to regional politics.

Why can't you buy the Taliban?

Aziz Hakimi 20 January 2010

The longer the war continues in Afghanistan, the more likely it is that disparate Taliban groups will unite and join forces with international Islamist militant groups