Ismail Khan, the popular Tajik ruler of western Afghanistan, is under pressure by the central government to not go to war with rebellious Pushtun tribes in his territory. While most Afghans in the west back Khan, some Pushtun tribes just do not like the idea of a Tajik, no matter how competent and popular, running things. It's also suspected that control of drug smuggling routes also plays a part in Khans gathering of an army to attack Pushtun fortresses.