This is an interesting and thoughtful discourse on the relationship between a foreign correspondent and his native "fixer" -- an individual that is essential, very vulnerable and too often expendable.

This is an excellent article. It is well written by a reporter that understands and has personal connection to the system.

Categories like 'factual' don't really fit this piece. It's a moving exploration of the relationship between foreign correspondents, and the local reporter-factotums without whom they probably couldn't report. It has a broader context - the vlllagers who 'cooperate' with will intentioned nation builders, and who are killed when someone decides that the nation has been built - and the builders leave.

Yes, this is quality journalism. However, since it is mostly a personal testament of someone, in this case, Sultan Munadi, the fact that it is neither 'fair' nor 'well sourced,' is irrelevant. Nevertheless, the piece does raise some troubling questions over the nature of Stephen Farrell's 'rescue' specifically, and the general outcome of westerners captured by the Taliban with their 'fixers.'