Imran Gul would like to see a better future for the tribal youth of his corner of Pakistan, but most days he only sees military helicopters returning from Waziristan, ferrying wounded and dead. Casualties in the conflicts along the Afghan border serve as a reminder that the tribal system, once strong and proud, is now falling apart.
History and war have slowly eaten away its edifice, and Mr. Gul worries that what the tribal system can no longer provide young people - peace, income, a sense of purpose, a social network - a new and rising force can: the Taliban.
![""]("http://www.christiansciencemonitor.com/images/itm/061606itm.jpg")
![""]("http://www.christiansciencemonitor.com/images/s.gif"){kind=small}
![]("http://www.christiansciencemonitor.com/images/dotLine55.gif"){kind=small}
![]("http://www.christiansciencemonitor.com/images/emailThis.gif"){kind=small}
![]("http://www.christiansciencemonitor.com/images/write.gif"){kind=small}