Graeme Wood, for The Atlantic:

The city has suffered a killing spree of prominent citizens this year, in what many observers think is the Taliban’s attempt to sow fear among influential Kandaharis.

Uneasy sleeps the mullah who keeps the cloak.

The cloak might cure disease, end hunger, and anoint kings. But bringing security to Kandahar may be beyond its powers.

From Wood's previous report:

“Is the boy a Talib?” I asked. “Future Talib,” he said.

From the scene of an easier problem:

"Mom, we killed women on the street today. We killed kids on bikes. We had no choice."