This week’s TIME magazine cover story, How to Save Afghanistan, features photographs by Zalmaï. See the previous post with images of Zalmaï on assignment in Afghanistan.

Since the American-led invasion in Afghanistan began in 2001, more American and coalition troops have died in July compared to any preceding month. The Taliban insurgency has also reclaimed control over some southern and eastern parts of the country.

Photojournalist and former Afghan refugee Zalmaï joined British troops in southern Afghanistan recently. He emailed Aperture Book Publisher Lesley A. Martin in May, writing of a difficult life. They were surrounded by the Taliban, who were less than one mile away. Zalmaï was scheduled to leave for Kabul by helicopter but the trip was postponed after two helicopters were shot down in two days. They were also attacked by small arms and RPGs (rocket propelled grenades).

The images below show Zalmaï and some of the British troops in Afghanistan while Zalmaï was on assignment for Time magazine. Zalmaï is in the blue helmet.

Read the article “Afghanistan: A War That’s Still Not Won” in Time magazine here. View more images in the web-exclusive The Challenge of Helmand, where Zalmaï documents a British unit playing cat and mouse with the Taliban in a strategically vital province of Afghanistan. All photographs by Zalmaï.

In his upcoming book Silent Exodus (Aperture, November 2008), Zalmaï chronicles the plight of Iraqi refugees who have fled to Syria, Jordan, and Lebanon.

Aperture Foundation, United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees and FilmAid International invite you to join us for:

WORLD REFUGEE DAY

Friday, June 20, 2008 5:00-8:00 p.m

Aperture Foundation, 547 West 27th Street, 4th Floor between 10th and 11th Avenue

© Zalmaï

Opening Remarks by Lesley A. Martin, Publisher, Aperture Books; Pierre Bertrand, Director, UNHCR; Caroline Avakian, Director of Communications & External Relations, FilmAid International

Guest Speakers

Zalmaï , acclaimed photographer and former Afghan refugee, will discuss the work in his upcoming book Silent Exodus: Portratis of Iraqi Refugees in Exile

Abraham Awolich, one of the “lost boys of Sudan,” now co-director of the New Sudan Education Initiative [NESEI], will talk about his life and work and what we can do together to move toward peace.

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