Paddy Ashdown to Afghanistan?

The Financial Times is reporting that Paddy Ashdown is being considered for the role of UN-NATO special envoy to Afghanistan in the hopes that he'll bring some much-needed focus to the international efforts there. This item completely escaped the notice of this blog for a good 24 hours until one of our readers had mercy upon us, so apologies if this is old news to you Afghanistan-watchers out there.

In other Afghanistan news, afghanistanica popped some humble pie into the microwave and served it up with mushy peas and gravy upon learning that -- contrary to his earlier reports -- the last pig did not leave Afghanistan with the Soviets. In fact, there are several pigs at the Kabul Zoo, where they live happy, contented lives ... save for when Afghans throw rocks at them.