One of the largest anti-American protests (WSJ) in years turned deadly in Kabul and threatened to disrupt Saturday's parliamentary elections, with as many as five protesters killed by police. The protest began when an Islamic preacher gathered a crowd on the outskirts of Kabul to denounce the reported burnings of Qurans in the United States. Protesters carrying the white flag of the Taliban set tires on fire, blocked major roads, and chanted anti-U.S. and anti-Afghan government slogans. Mobs ripped off campaign posters in the streets of candidates running in the September 18 parliamentary elections. The mullah behind the demonstration is a former commander in the militia of Abdul Rasul Sayaf, a conservative power broker running in Saturday's election who once backed Osama bin Laden but is currently allied with Afghan President Hamid Karzai. Many of the recent protests are believed to have been organized by candidates who are trying to gain influence (NYT) by rallying people around anti-American sentiments. The demonstrations' organizers have exploited the country's widespread illiteracy, with many people unaware (LAT) that Florida pastor Terry Jones did not carry out his Quran-burning plans. On Thursday, the Taliban called for an election boycott (AFP).

Analysis:

In the Times of India, Kanti Bajpai says it is better for the United States to "withdraw as quickly as possible [from Afghanistan] and turn its attention to its internal problems, its role in East Asia, and much larger global challenges."

Damage to the U.S. image in the wake of calls to burn the Quran in the United States, followed by anti-Muslim demonstrations, could be long-lasting and far-reaching, says public diplomacy expert Joseph S. Nye Jr.

Background:

Read this July 21 speech by U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton on tackling the challenges in Afghanistan.

 

PACIFIC RIM: Japan Warns on More Yen Action

 

Japan's decision to intervene in markets to lower its currency value riled EU and US officials (FT) who criticized the "unilateral actions" as "not an appropriate way to deal with global imbalances." Japanese Prime Minister Naoto Kan warned his government was prepared to take further action on the yen (FT).

Kan's reelection as head of Japan's ruling Democratic Party means some long-needed continuity in Japanese government, but the party needs to demonstrate its effectiveness, says CFR's Sheila Smith.

China: A bipartisan U.S. bill to impose tariffs (WSJ) and other penalties aimed at China's currency policy is gaining momentum for passage into law, amid rising U.S.-China tensions.

This Backgrounder examines the economic imbalances plaguing the U.S.-China relationship.