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Afghanistan: A tale of three cities

We investigate how three key Afghan cities are being affected by the gradual withdrawal of American troops.

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Peaceful slogans are seen on the walls of Herat, September 20, 2013
By John D McHugh
Published On 5 Dec 2013

Afghanistan: A Tale of Three Cities is the latest in a series that filmmaker John D McHugh has been making for Al Jazeera’s People & Power, looking at Afghanistan through the prism of 2014, when international troops are scheduled to withdraw from the country.

Having spent much of the last eight years immersed in the war, McHugh wanted to talk to ordinary Afghans about their lives, and what 2014 means to them. Last year he made a film entitled Kabul: A City of Hope and Fear, in much the same vein, but this time he decided to examine other Afghan cities: Herat in the west, Mazar-e Sharif in the north and Jalalabad in the east.

Here one such message of peace can be seen on the walls of Herat, September 20, 2013
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A fruit seller is seen on the streets of Herat, September 20, 2013
The Friday Mosque is seen in Herat, September 20, 2013
Young Afghans enjoy swimming and diving at a pool in Herat, September 20, 2013
These young people have experienced a freedom their parents could never dream of
Afghans watch a motorcycle rider perform in a "Wall of Death" in a park in Herat, September 20, 2013
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Afghans enjoy a ferris wheel ride in a park in Herat, September 20, 2013
Young girls take a computer class and learn about the Internet and social media in Herat, September 22, 2013
Young girls learn about social media in Herat, September 22, 2013
Women wearing traditional burqas walk past the ancient Citadel fortress in Herat, September 22, 2013
Money traders are seen in the Herat Currency Exchange on September 22, 2013
Iranian rials being exchanged openly for US dollars
There are accusations that the Exchange is a centre of money laundering and may be contravening US sanctions against Iran
A general view of the five remaining 15th century minarets of the Musalla Complex in Herat, September 22, 2013
Atta Mohammad Noor (right), the governor of Balkh province, hands out gifts to the Afghan National Soccer Team after an official reception in Mazar-e-Sharif, September 24, 2013
Football fans wait for the Afghan National Soccer team(***)s arrival at an official reception in Mazar-e Sharif, September 24, 2013. Mazar-e-Sharif was the first stop on the team(***)s nationwide tour after Afghanistan(***)s victory at the South Asian Ffederation Football Cup
Carpet sellers are seen examining their wares in Mazar-e-Sharif, September 25, 2013
A general view of the Blue Mosque in Mazar-e-Sharif, September 26, 2013
White pigeons are seen at the Blue Mosque in Mazar-e-Sharif, September 25, 2013
Another view of the Blue Mosque in Mazar-e-Sharif, September 26, 2013
A man gathers shoes at the entrance to the Blue Mosque in Mazar-e-Sharif, September 26, 2013
A woman and child walk near the Blue Mosque in Mazar-e-Sharif, September 26, 2013
A woman weaves a carpet on a loom in her home in Mazar-e-Sharif, September 28, 2013
Young boys practice their juggling skills at the Mobile Mini Circus for Children, Jalalabad, October 1, 2013
Haroon Sherzad (right), a volunteer with the Mobile Mini Circus for Children, oversees practice in Jalalabad, September 30, 2013
Afghan police patrol the streets of Jalalabad, October 1, 2013
A general view of the Mahipar pass on the Kabul to Jalalabad road, October 2, 2013. This road is considered one of the most dangerous in the world, with accidents and fatalities occurring almost daily