Ahmad Shah Massoud

September 9, 2004 1:01 PM

Life After Death. A look at the legacy of Northern Alliance leader Ahmad Shah Massoud, who was assassinated by al Qaeda three years ago today. It was in the first issue of SixBillion.org, an online magazine of narrative journalism. [Via WorldChanging.]
posted by homunculus (4 comments total)

interesting. thanks for the link, I was wondering about this anniversary earlier. I even learned something.
posted by Busithoth at 1:59 PM on September 9, 2004

Meanwhile, Ayman al-Zawahiri appears to be alive and well.
posted by homunculus at 2:11 PM on September 9, 2004

indeed interesting... this presentation paints a much darker picture of the man than robert pelton does in world's most dangerous places (see here, click 'players' then 'massoud'). pelton says "Massoud is one of those leaders who is morally and financially pure, motivated only by a burning resolve to give his people a democratic government of their own choosing" (this was written before the assassination.) the truth is complex. i'm inclined to believe pelton, but i'm sure massoud was no angel. maybe in a country like afghanistan, no one can afford to be.
posted by jcruelty at 5:20 PM on September 9, 2004

great post, homunculus...it's a shame the man didn't live, it would be interesting to see the role he would play today...jcruelty, thanks for the added link - pelton shaped my first view of the man too.

Plus thanks for the tip about Six Billion, homunculus - good find.
posted by madamjujujive at 10:24 PM on September 9, 2004