The New York Times: One of the most powerful players in Afghanistan, Atta Muhammad Noor, says he would be willing to step down from his post as a northern provincial governor — as soon as the central government reappoints him to the spot. He was actually dismissed as governor of Balkh Province, a vital commercial hub that includes the city of Mazar-e Sharif, a year and a half ago by President Ashraf Ghani, as part of a mass firing of all 34 Afghan provincial governors. Click here to read more (external link).