WAR FOR SALE
National Geographic says they are rushing to complete a new map of Afghanistan in just a smidgen of the time it normally takes to update an entire country. Particularly challenging is the fact that the war- and drought-ravaged country hasn't had an official government map in decades. The mapmakers said that in the past month, they've been gathering info from a number of places, including the CIA, State Department, and the Northern Alliance. But don't plan on using it as a stocking stuffer for your Soldier of Fortune buddies: "For strategic reasons airbases, refugee camps, trails and unpaved roads, obscure mountain passes and watering holes known only to the locals are being left off." The new map will be included in the December issue of National Geographic, which hits newsstands in mid-November.

If your jonesing for other items to follow the war from the comfort of your home, National Geographic is already selling a nice big map of the entire Middle East and Amazon.com has put together a special Sept. 11 store with books about terrorism, Islam, and the Taliban.
- posted by Amy @ 10/23/2001 09:45:00 AM