Women continue to be hit with barriers to freedom in "Liberated" Afghanistan. Now, the southeastern province Nangahar (which is heavily patrolled by U.S. forces) has banned women from the television - including news presenters - because female entertainers is "un-Islamic."

Stuff reports:

[S]ome provinces remain deeply conservative and provincial governors command broad authority over their regions, often in defiance of the central government. ... Diplomats said Nangahar's ban would be seen as a setback for moderates in President Hamid Karzai's government in their battle with conservatives opposed to liberalisation since the Taliban's overthrow.

President George W. Bush has justified the invasion of Iraq, in part at least, by arguing that the creation of a democratic Iraq would lead to a domino effect throughout the region, leading to greater freedom and liberty for Muslims throughout the Middle East. Afghanistan was invaded before Iraq, though, and things aren't working too well there. What sort of democratic trend can America really impose in this region?

Read More:

• Recent Books on Islam
• Islam
• The Taliban
• Religion in Afghanistan
• Religion in Iraq