between war zones and wet wipes

I used to think that working in the middle of a war was hard work, but then I had a daughter. And then another one!

[johndmchugh]

Fellow photographers, you know it's true!

[johndmchugh]

My latest film from Afghanistan, looking at people's lives in three regional cities

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Tonight at 10:30 GMT, Al Jazeera English will be airing Reportage photographer John D McHugh’s new documentary “A Tale of Three Cities.” John writes:

Afghanistan: A Tale of Three Cities is the latest in an occasional series that I have been making for the People and Power strand of Al Jazeera English, looking at Afghanistan through the prism of 2014. Having spent much of the last eight years immersed in the war, I wanted to talk to ordinary Afghans about their lives, and what 2014 means to them. Last year I made a film called Kabul: City of Hope and Fear in much the same vein, but this time I decided to go to examine some of the regional cities; Herat in the west, Mazar-e Sharif in the north and Jalalabad in the east. What I found was a country struggling with unemployment, violence, kidnapping, corruption and drug addiction, but most of all there is a lack of stability, and with the US withdrawal next year it is hard to see how things will improve.

See more of John’s photographic work on the Reportage Web site.

Caption: Afghans watch a motorcycle rider perform in a “Wall of Death” in a park in Herat on September 20, 2013. (Photo by John D McHugh)

[johndmchugh]

My new film from Afghanistan goes to air on Al Jazeera English 4th Dec at 22:30 GMT, and then every day for a week added feeing times, listed on this image. Apologies to my American friends who can no longer access Al Jazeera English, but I a assured the film will also be shown in Al Jazeera America and as soon as I have dates I will post them.

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A general view of the mountain hairpin turns on the Kabul-Jalalabad road, 02 October 2013. (John D McHugh)

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A women weaves a carpet in Mazar-e Sharif, 28 September 2013. (John D McHugh)

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Children dance in front of the Blue Mosque in Mazar-e Sharif at sunrise, 26 September 2013. (John D McHugh) e Sharif, Mosque,

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Five minarets, dating from the 15th Century, are seen in Herat, 22 September 2013. The tilting Minaret in the foreground is supported by two stainless steel cables. (John D McHugh)

[johndmchugh]

Cash traders are seen trading Tomans, Afghanis, Dollars, and Euros in the frenetic and chaotic money market in Herat, 22 September 2013. (John D McHugh)

[johndmchugh]

Anti war graffiti appeared overnight on walls in Herat, 20 September 2013, ahead of the International Day of Peace on 21 Sept.

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A glassmaker produces various household items by hand in his workshop in Herat, 18 September 2013. (John D McHugh) Afghanistan, Herat, photojournalism, iphoneography

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Paris Couture by Gareth Cattermole

[johndmchugh]

In Pictures - Afghanistan: Drawdown

A set of images from my recent trip to Kandahar in the south of Afghanistan.

[johndmchugh]

My new film Afghanistan: Drawdown about the ongoing US withdrawal in now available to see online. Be careful though, because whether you are an Afghan living through the war, or a soldier or family member of someone who deployed to Operation Enduring Freedom, or just a concerned citizen of the world, this is depressing and infuriating in equal measures when you see how little has actually been achieved.

[johndmchugh]

Very saddened to learn of the death of Abdul Jail, an Afghan Local Police commander who died fighting the Taliban. I filmed and interviewed him a few weeks ago in Panjwayi, Kandahar. Abdul Jalil, an Afghan Local Police commander, is seen at a meeting with US troops in Panjwayi district, Kandahar, 25 April 2013. Jalil was killed fighting the Taliban days after this photo was taken. (John D McHugh)

[johndmchugh]

My new film from Afghanistan, Drawdown, airs on Wed 29th May on Al Jazeera English, 10:30pm GMT (so 11:30pm in UK & Ireland taking summertime into account). Afghan National Army soldiers are seen teeing off at Sperwan Ghar Outpost, Panjwayi District, Kandahar, 27 April 2013. The outpost was handed over to the Afghans by US troops 3 weeks previously as part of the ongoing drawdown. (John D McHugh)

[johndmchugh]

Afghan Local Police wait to receive certificates from US troops from 1-38 Infantry after they completed a 3 day training course in Panjwayi, Kandahar, 25 April 2013. (John D McHugh)