The maneuverings are consistent with the role Abudllah Abudllah is supposed to play in the "future" Kabul administration. Karzai has become independent, and the orders of the occupaying powers are not followed. Thus, he can either be removed by elections, if possible, or by injecting into his government a high-enough ministerial position that would be the new interface between Kabul and the occupation forces. Abdullah Abdullah is an excellent candidate for this role. He is ambitious, but without clout in the tribal society. Once, he has been a spokesperson for the Northern Alliance, and before that the resistance forced that fought with Soviets. However, beside his good English and slick mannerism, he does not have a power base. Karzai has become the problem because he has cobbled a powerbase among his Pashtuns, and with the support of some within Northern Alliance. He has support of the powerfull general Dostum in Uzbeki region of the north. The general is in Turkey, as he knows that the former Northern Alliance will be the target of the newly reconsituted government. Abdullah Abdullah, with his Tajik roots insured moving war to the north. Already, "Taliban" are showing up in previously peacefull northern region, and are ferried there by hellicopters by the dozens. Afghans can add this up. Getting Karzai sidelined, gives room for manueuvers. He was sidelined first by charges of corruption, then by trying to force him to accept Abdullah into his government, then by forcing a run-off, and now by candidate pull-back, and supposed delay "till spring". Totally predictable. The problem is, everybody in Afghanistan knows it, as Abdullah could not win under any scenario. Corrupt or not, Karzai can winn any election. But by having him tarnished, and then his brother exposed as CIA agent and drug merchant, shows the real intent of this election manipulation by occupying forces.