More than a million liters of alcoholic drinks were sent to troops based at German camps in Afghanistan last year. Opposition politicians in Germany have voiced alarm at the amount of alcohol being consumed by Bundeswehr soldiers.

Berlin has warmly welcomed the election of Barack Obama. Now diplomats are busy preparing for a more active German foreign policy. But amid all the euphoria there's concern Germany may be asked to send more troops to Afghanistan.

Concern has been growing in Tokyo in recent years as the US snuggles up with China. It is a course that Barack Obama will be likely to follow as well. And he could also demand more of Japan when it comes to Afghanistan.

Afghanistan's president talks to TIME about Musharraf, the Taliban and corruption charges against his own government

In an interview with TIME, Afghanistan's president says the way to help his country is by fixing Pakistan