While Iraq is the story dominating the headlines, Afghanistan, long consigned to the dustbin of history by most of the mainstream media, remains a troubled country. Reports are emerging that forces loyal to Warlord General Abdul Rashid Dostum invaded the northern province of Faryab on Wednesday. Dostum is currently at least nominally allied to American appointed Afgan leader Hamid Kharzai, although over the years he has changed sides in the coutry's various conflicts on numerous occasions and is accused of various, often quite serious, human rights abuses including the crushing of prisoners under tanks. Concerns are growing that the country may, once again, descend into civil war.