Joshua Partlow from the Washington Post reported that the half-brother of Afghan President Hamid Karzai, Ahmed Wali Karzai, was assassinated at his home by his own guard.  He was considered to be the most powerful politician in Southern Afghanistan.

The power vacuum will cause instability in the region and affect American policies.

Investors will need to monitor the effect on the stock market from the ripples as everyone adjust to the socio-political situation.

France’s president, Nicolas Sarkozy, had also announced a troop withdrawal as well during an unexpected visit today with Hamid Karzai and General David Petraeus.  This occurred on the same day as the assassination.

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