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Wednesday, May 26, 2010 1:01 AM UTC

On the line in Afghanistan

Slide show: On the Pakistan border, divisions and danger are everywhere, and Americans nowhere to be found SLIDE SHOW

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Topics: Scenes from Afghanistan, Afghanistan, Slide Shows, slideshow,

On the line in Afghanistan

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Editors’ note: For years, a guerrilla war has made photography a very difficult enterprise in Afghanistan. Trying to keep a lens focused on the Afghan National Security Forces proved no less complicated this past April. While he was developing this fourth installment in our Scenes From Afghanistan photo-essay series, American military officials expelled James Lee from Nangarhar province after he traveled with ANSF during an opium eradication operation near the Pakistan border, a violation of media ground rules. One week later, Lee received written authorization from Afghanistan’s Office of Social Affairs to rejoin ANSF forces based in Laghman province. Due to reports of suicide bombers in the province, Afghan military officials prevented Lee from accompanying ANSF patrols into populated areas. Despite these challenges, Lee continued to photograph ANSF as they worked alone, without Americans. A photojournalist and former Marine, Lee got himself to Afghanistan for an extended stay. He is also keeping a photo blog at the Ventura County Star.

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  • The protests take on a festive element as police forces move out of the park and square. Wearing a gas mask, this young man dances to traditional Turkish music in front of Taksim Square’s Ataturk Monument.

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  • In Gezi Park since March 31st, this protester, originally caught off-guard by the Government’s teargas and water cannons, went out and bought a Russian army mask from WWII, preparing for what was to come.

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  • This rambunctious boy seems to be enjoying the chaos. After taking this picture he threw a stone at the already destroyed building in the background.

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  • Forming a line, the police face off directly with protesters in Taksim Square. After a while, they retreated and there was a general cheer – a back-and-forth dance that has been common since the beginning of this protest.

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  • An elderly woman in Gezi Park reads the news. The tent community occupying the park was violently destroyed on June 16th.

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  • Many different groups had set up booths to promote their cause in Taksim Square and Gezi Park. Standing in front of one, this man waves his flag while posing with conviction.

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  • Many home-remedies are used to minimize the effects of tear gas. This woman has put a milky solution on her face, removing her mask after the tear gas dissipated. Before sunrise, the police came again for another round of teargasing.

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  • People capitalize on the uprising -- selling flags, beer, gas masks, sky lanterns and spray paint to name just a few of the popular items.

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  • On Monday morning, June 11, the police execute a strong offensive. Many plain-clothed police officers, like the ones seen here, clash with protesters in the side streets away from the main stand-off in Taksim.

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  • The authorities seem to be most aggressive in the night, pushing protesters away from the square and park. After being teargassed this young woman catches her breath with other protesters on Siraselviler Street.

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Scenes from Afghanistan is a photo-essay series by James Lee, a photojournalist and former Marine. See also his blog and Salon's full Afghanistan topic page.
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