Question: How much funding does America provide annually to the program?

Answer: $120 million

“The Taliban have all of a sudden felt a rush after Kunduz — they are abandoning plans for districts and making runs on cities,” said a senior Afghan official, who like others interviewed about security spoke on the condition of anonymity to avoid political risk. The militia expansion plan is a reversal for President Ashraf Ghani, who had long talked about the importance of solidifying “the state monopoly over the use of force” in a country still deeply scarred by its civil war. Militia forces wielded by American-backed warlords were responsible for some of the worst atrocities in that decade-long conflict. Afghan officials who described the new plan, however, bluntly called it a matter of survival: Given a choice between ceding territory to the Taliban and reinforcing areas with semiformal militias deemed abusive and predatory, the government is opting for the latter. Officials said the plan called for the immediate recruitment of an additional 15,000 armed militiamen under the Afghan Local Police program, and according to some accounts that may rise to as many as 30,000. The measure is supposed to focus on beefing up defenses at the district level, potentially freeing up the badly overstretched army and the national police to concentrate their forces for more strategic strikes. <hl> While the Americans had long told the Afghan government to respect the 30,000 cap for the force, at least two Afghan officials said that discussions were underway and that the American military had shown interest in finding a way to fund the program’s expansion, which is believed to cost more than the force’s current $120 million annual budget. <hl> Mr. Ghani has told his officials he will seek other sources if the American funding does not materialize.

“The Taliban have all of a sudden felt a rush after Kunduz — they are abandoning plans for districts and making runs on cities,” said a senior Afghan official, who like others interviewed about security spoke on the condition of anonymity to avoid political risk. The militia expansion plan is a reversal for President Ashraf Ghani, who had long talked about the importance of solidifying “the state monopoly over the use of force” in a country still deeply scarred by its civil war. Militia forces wielded by American-backed warlords were responsible for some of the worst atrocities in that decade-long conflict. Afghan officials who described the new plan, however, bluntly called it a matter of survival: Given a choice between ceding territory to the Taliban and reinforcing areas with semiformal militias deemed abusive and predatory, the government is opting for the latter. Officials said the plan called for the immediate recruitment of an additional 15,000 armed militiamen under the Afghan Local Police program, and according to some accounts that may rise to as many as 30,000. The measure is supposed to focus on beefing up defenses at the district level, potentially freeing up the badly overstretched army and the national police to concentrate their forces for more strategic strikes. While the Americans had long told the Afghan government to respect the 30,000 cap for the force, at least two Afghan officials said that discussions were underway and that the American military had shown interest in finding a way to fund the program’s expansion, which is believed to cost more than the force’s current <hl> $120 million <hl> annual budget. Mr. Ghani has told his officials he will seek other sources if the American funding does not materialize.


Question: Which official has changed his decision on military expansion?

“The Taliban have all of a sudden felt a rush after Kunduz — they are abandoning plans for districts and making runs on cities,” said a senior Afghan official, who like others interviewed about security spoke on the condition of anonymity to avoid political risk. The militia expansion plan is a reversal for President Ashraf Ghani, who had long talked about the importance of solidifying “the state monopoly over the use of force” in a country still deeply scarred by its civil war. Militia forces wielded by American-backed warlords were responsible for some of the worst atrocities in that decade-long conflict. Afghan officials who described the new plan, however, bluntly called it a matter of survival: Given a choice between ceding territory to the Taliban and reinforcing areas with semiformal militias deemed abusive and predatory, the government is opting for the latter. Officials said the plan called for the immediate recruitment of an additional 15,000 armed militiamen under the Afghan Local Police program, and according to some accounts that may rise to as many as 30,000. The measure is supposed to focus on beefing up defenses at the district level, potentially freeing up the badly overstretched army and the national police to concentrate their forces for more strategic strikes. While the Americans had long told the Afghan government to respect the 30,000 cap for the force, at least two Afghan officials said that discussions were underway and that the American military had shown interest in finding a way to fund the program’s expansion, which is believed to cost more than the force’s current $120 million annual budget. Mr. Ghani has told his officials he will seek other sources if the American funding does not materialize.

Answer: President Ashraf Ghani

“The Taliban have all of a sudden felt a rush after Kunduz — they are abandoning plans for districts and making runs on cities,” said a senior Afghan official, who like others interviewed about security spoke on the condition of anonymity to avoid political risk. <hl> The militia expansion plan is a reversal for President Ashraf Ghani , who had long talked about the importance of solidifying “the state monopoly over the use of force” in a country still deeply scarred by its civil war. <hl> Militia forces wielded by American-backed warlords were responsible for some of the worst atrocities in that decade-long conflict. Afghan officials who described the new plan, however, bluntly called it a matter of survival: Given a choice between ceding territory to the Taliban and reinforcing areas with semiformal militias deemed abusive and predatory, the government is opting for the latter. Officials said the plan called for the immediate recruitment of an additional 15,000 armed militiamen under the Afghan Local Police program, and according to some accounts that may rise to as many as 30,000. The measure is supposed to focus on beefing up defenses at the district level, potentially freeing up the badly overstretched army and the national police to concentrate their forces for more strategic strikes. While the Americans had long told the Afghan government to respect the 30,000 cap for the force, at least two Afghan officials said that discussions were underway and that the American military had shown interest in finding a way to fund the program’s expansion, which is believed to cost more than the force’s current $120 million annual budget. Mr. Ghani has told his officials he will seek other sources if the American funding does not materialize.

“The Taliban have all of a sudden felt a rush after Kunduz — they are abandoning plans for districts and making runs on cities,” said a senior Afghan official, who like others interviewed about security spoke on the condition of anonymity to avoid political risk. The militia expansion plan is a reversal for <hl> President Ashraf Ghani <hl>, who had long talked about the importance of solidifying “the state monopoly over the use of force” in a country still deeply scarred by its civil war. Militia forces wielded by American-backed warlords were responsible for some of the worst atrocities in that decade-long conflict. Afghan officials who described the new plan, however, bluntly called it a matter of survival: Given a choice between ceding territory to the Taliban and reinforcing areas with semiformal militias deemed abusive and predatory, the government is opting for the latter. Officials said the plan called for the immediate recruitment of an additional 15,000 armed militiamen under the Afghan Local Police program, and according to some accounts that may rise to as many as 30,000. The measure is supposed to focus on beefing up defenses at the district level, potentially freeing up the badly overstretched army and the national police to concentrate their forces for more strategic strikes. While the Americans had long told the Afghan government to respect the 30,000 cap for the force, at least two Afghan officials said that discussions were underway and that the American military had shown interest in finding a way to fund the program’s expansion, which is believed to cost more than the force’s current $120 million annual budget. Mr. Ghani has told his officials he will seek other sources if the American funding does not materialize.

The militia expansion plan is a reversal for <hl> President Ashraf Ghani <hl> , who had long talked about the importance of solidifying “the state monopoly over the use of force” in a country still deeply scarred by its civil war.


Question: In which area was the A.L.P. particularly ineffective according to the EU?

Reached for comment, a United States military official said that Afghan police officials had not formally approached the American military command to discuss expanding the Afghan Local Police forces, which the official described as “important.” But European members of the NATO coalition have expressed concern about the expansion, officials said. And Franz-Michael Mellbin, the European Union’s special representative to Afghanistan, said that even successful reform of the Afghan Local Police, or A.L.P., would not be enough to justify its expansion. “There is nobody on the European side who want to invest in anything that even remotely resembles the A.L.P.,” Mr. Mellbin said in an interview. “The fear is still there that the A.L.P. becomes the arms of local strongmen. We do not think the A.L.P. has worked — especially in the north, where they have become the extension of local interest groups.”

Answer: the north

Reached for comment, a United States military official said that Afghan police officials had not formally approached the American military command to discuss expanding the Afghan Local Police forces, which the official described as “important.” But European members of the NATO coalition have expressed concern about the expansion, officials said. And Franz-Michael Mellbin, the European Union’s special representative to Afghanistan, said that even successful reform of the Afghan Local Police, or A.L.P., would not be enough to justify its expansion. “There is nobody on the European side who want to invest in anything that even remotely resembles the A.L.P.,” Mr. Mellbin said in an interview. “The fear is still there that the A.L.P. becomes the arms of local strongmen. <hl> We do not think the A.L.P. has worked — especially in the north , where they have become the extension of local interest groups.” <hl>

Reached for comment, a United States military official said that Afghan police officials had not formally approached the American military command to discuss expanding the Afghan Local Police forces, which the official described as “important.” But European members of the NATO coalition have expressed concern about the expansion, officials said. And Franz-Michael Mellbin, the European Union’s special representative to Afghanistan, said that even successful reform of the Afghan Local Police, or A.L.P., would not be enough to justify its expansion. “There is nobody on the European side who want to invest in anything that even remotely resembles the A.L.P.,” Mr. Mellbin said in an interview. “The fear is still there that the A.L.P. becomes the arms of local strongmen. We do not think the A.L.P. has worked — especially in <hl> the north <hl>, where they have become the extension of local interest groups.”

We do not think the A.L.P. has worked — especially in <hl> the north <hl> , where they have become the extension of local interest groups.”


Question: Which national organization is concerned about expanding the A.L.P.?

Answer: NATO

Reached for comment, a United States military official said that Afghan police officials had not formally approached the American military command to discuss expanding the Afghan Local Police forces, which the official described as “important.” <hl> But European members of the NATO coalition have expressed concern about the expansion, officials said. <hl> And Franz-Michael Mellbin, the European Union’s special representative to Afghanistan, said that even successful reform of the Afghan Local Police, or A.L.P., would not be enough to justify its expansion. “There is nobody on the European side who want to invest in anything that even remotely resembles the A.L.P.,” Mr. Mellbin said in an interview. “The fear is still there that the A.L.P. becomes the arms of local strongmen. We do not think the A.L.P. has worked — especially in the north, where they have become the extension of local interest groups.”

Reached for comment, a United States military official said that Afghan police officials had not formally approached the American military command to discuss expanding the Afghan Local Police forces, which the official described as “important.” But European members of the <hl> NATO <hl> coalition have expressed concern about the expansion, officials said. And Franz-Michael Mellbin, the European Union’s special representative to Afghanistan, said that even successful reform of the Afghan Local Police, or A.L.P., would not be enough to justify its expansion. “There is nobody on the European side who want to invest in anything that even remotely resembles the A.L.P.,” Mr. Mellbin said in an interview. “The fear is still there that the A.L.P. becomes the arms of local strongmen. We do not think the A.L.P. has worked — especially in the north, where they have become the extension of local interest groups.”


Question: What is the EU afraid of happening if the A.L.P. is expanded?

Answer: the A.L.P. becomes the arms of local strongmen

Reached for comment, a United States military official said that Afghan police officials had not formally approached the American military command to discuss expanding the Afghan Local Police forces, which the official described as “important.” But European members of the NATO coalition have expressed concern about the expansion, officials said. And Franz-Michael Mellbin, the European Union’s special representative to Afghanistan, said that even successful reform of the Afghan Local Police, or A.L.P., would not be enough to justify its expansion. “There is nobody on the European side who want to invest in anything that even remotely resembles the A.L.P.,” Mr. Mellbin said in an interview. <hl> “The fear is still there that the A.L.P. becomes the arms of local strongmen . <hl> We do not think the A.L.P. has worked — especially in the north, where they have become the extension of local interest groups.”

Reached for comment, a United States military official said that Afghan police officials had not formally approached the American military command to discuss expanding the Afghan Local Police forces, which the official described as “important.” But European members of the NATO coalition have expressed concern about the expansion, officials said. And Franz-Michael Mellbin, the European Union’s special representative to Afghanistan, said that even successful reform of the Afghan Local Police, or A.L.P., would not be enough to justify its expansion. “There is nobody on the European side who want to invest in anything that even remotely resembles the A.L.P.,” Mr. Mellbin said in an interview. “The fear is still there that <hl> the A.L.P. becomes the arms of local strongmen <hl>. We do not think the A.L.P. has worked — especially in the north, where they have become the extension of local interest groups.”

“The fear is still there that <hl> the A.L.P. becomes the arms of local strongmen <hl> .


Question: Who feels that expanding the A.L.P. is "important"?

Answer: United States military official

<hl> Reached for comment, a United States military official said that Afghan police officials had not formally approached the American military command to discuss expanding the Afghan Local Police forces, which the official described as “important.” <hl> But European members of the NATO coalition have expressed concern about the expansion, officials said. And Franz-Michael Mellbin, the European Union’s special representative to Afghanistan, said that even successful reform of the Afghan Local Police, or A.L.P., would not be enough to justify its expansion. “There is nobody on the European side who want to invest in anything that even remotely resembles the A.L.P.,” Mr. Mellbin said in an interview. “The fear is still there that the A.L.P. becomes the arms of local strongmen. We do not think the A.L.P. has worked — especially in the north, where they have become the extension of local interest groups.”

Reached for comment, a <hl> United States military official <hl> said that Afghan police officials had not formally approached the American military command to discuss expanding the Afghan Local Police forces, which the official described as “important.” But European members of the NATO coalition have expressed concern about the expansion, officials said. And Franz-Michael Mellbin, the European Union’s special representative to Afghanistan, said that even successful reform of the Afghan Local Police, or A.L.P., would not be enough to justify its expansion. “There is nobody on the European side who want to invest in anything that even remotely resembles the A.L.P.,” Mr. Mellbin said in an interview. “The fear is still there that the A.L.P. becomes the arms of local strongmen. We do not think the A.L.P. has worked — especially in the north, where they have become the extension of local interest groups.”


Question: Which representative feels that expanding the A.L.P. seems unjustified?

Answer: Franz-Michael Mellbin

Reached for comment, a United States military official said that Afghan police officials had not formally approached the American military command to discuss expanding the Afghan Local Police forces, which the official described as “important.” But European members of the NATO coalition have expressed concern about the expansion, officials said. <hl> And Franz-Michael Mellbin , the European Union’s special representative to Afghanistan, said that even successful reform of the Afghan Local Police, or A.L.P., would not be enough to justify its expansion. <hl> “There is nobody on the European side who want to invest in anything that even remotely resembles the A.L.P.,” Mr. Mellbin said in an interview. “The fear is still there that the A.L.P. becomes the arms of local strongmen. We do not think the A.L.P. has worked — especially in the north, where they have become the extension of local interest groups.”

Reached for comment, a United States military official said that Afghan police officials had not formally approached the American military command to discuss expanding the Afghan Local Police forces, which the official described as “important.” But European members of the NATO coalition have expressed concern about the expansion, officials said. And <hl> Franz-Michael Mellbin <hl>, the European Union’s special representative to Afghanistan, said that even successful reform of the Afghan Local Police, or A.L.P., would not be enough to justify its expansion. “There is nobody on the European side who want to invest in anything that even remotely resembles the A.L.P.,” Mr. Mellbin said in an interview. “The fear is still there that the A.L.P. becomes the arms of local strongmen. We do not think the A.L.P. has worked — especially in the north, where they have become the extension of local interest groups.”

And <hl> Franz-Michael Mellbin <hl> , the European Union’s special representative to Afghanistan, said that even successful reform of the Afghan Local Police, or A.L.P., would not be enough to justify its expansion.


Question: Who trained the A.L.P.?

The widespread nature of the problem has prompted Mr. Ghani to order an immediate “personnel asset inventory,” official said. Mr. Atmar said the increase in recruitment of the A.L.P. was to “front-load” for other national forces, with the goal of eventually using the new recruits to fill the vacancies that exist in the army and the police. The Afghan Local Police were established by American commanders as a low-cost auxiliary force trained by the United States Special Forces. But even when units have been under direct American supervision, some have committed abuses. Several assessments, the most comprehensive of them by the International Crisis Group, have concluded that the A.L.P. “has not improved security in many places and even exacerbated the conflict in many districts.”

Answer: United States Special Forces

The widespread nature of the problem has prompted Mr. Ghani to order an immediate “personnel asset inventory,” official said. Mr. Atmar said the increase in recruitment of the A.L.P. was to “front-load” for other national forces, with the goal of eventually using the new recruits to fill the vacancies that exist in the army and the police. <hl> The Afghan Local Police were established by American commanders as a low-cost auxiliary force trained by the United States Special Forces . <hl> But even when units have been under direct American supervision, some have committed abuses. Several assessments, the most comprehensive of them by the International Crisis Group, have concluded that the A.L.P. “has not improved security in many places and even exacerbated the conflict in many districts.”

The widespread nature of the problem has prompted Mr. Ghani to order an immediate “personnel asset inventory,” official said. Mr. Atmar said the increase in recruitment of the A.L.P. was to “front-load” for other national forces, with the goal of eventually using the new recruits to fill the vacancies that exist in the army and the police. The Afghan Local Police were established by American commanders as a low-cost auxiliary force trained by the <hl> United States Special Forces <hl>. But even when units have been under direct American supervision, some have committed abuses. Several assessments, the most comprehensive of them by the International Crisis Group, have concluded that the A.L.P. “has not improved security in many places and even exacerbated the conflict in many districts.”

The Afghan Local Police were established by American commanders as a low-cost auxiliary force trained by the <hl> United States Special Forces <hl> .


Question: Which organization's research suggested that the A.L.P. has actually made the conflicts worse?

Answer: International Crisis Group

The widespread nature of the problem has prompted Mr. Ghani to order an immediate “personnel asset inventory,” official said. Mr. Atmar said the increase in recruitment of the A.L.P. was to “front-load” for other national forces, with the goal of eventually using the new recruits to fill the vacancies that exist in the army and the police. The Afghan Local Police were established by American commanders as a low-cost auxiliary force trained by the United States Special Forces. But even when units have been under direct American supervision, some have committed abuses. <hl> Several assessments, the most comprehensive of them by the International Crisis Group , have concluded that the A.L.P. “has not improved security in many places and even exacerbated the conflict in many districts.” <hl>

The widespread nature of the problem has prompted Mr. Ghani to order an immediate “personnel asset inventory,” official said. Mr. Atmar said the increase in recruitment of the A.L.P. was to “front-load” for other national forces, with the goal of eventually using the new recruits to fill the vacancies that exist in the army and the police. The Afghan Local Police were established by American commanders as a low-cost auxiliary force trained by the United States Special Forces. But even when units have been under direct American supervision, some have committed abuses. Several assessments, the most comprehensive of them by the <hl> International Crisis Group <hl>, have concluded that the A.L.P. “has not improved security in many places and even exacerbated the conflict in many districts.”

Several assessments, the most comprehensive of them by the <hl> International Crisis Group <hl> , have concluded that the A.L.P. “has not improved security in many places and even exacerbated the conflict in many districts.”


Question: Who is supposed to supervise the Afghan Local Police?

Answer: American supervision

The widespread nature of the problem has prompted Mr. Ghani to order an immediate “personnel asset inventory,” official said. Mr. Atmar said the increase in recruitment of the A.L.P. was to “front-load” for other national forces, with the goal of eventually using the new recruits to fill the vacancies that exist in the army and the police. The Afghan Local Police were established by American commanders as a low-cost auxiliary force trained by the United States Special Forces. <hl> But even when units have been under direct American supervision , some have committed abuses. <hl> Several assessments, the most comprehensive of them by the International Crisis Group, have concluded that the A.L.P. “has not improved security in many places and even exacerbated the conflict in many districts.”

The widespread nature of the problem has prompted Mr. Ghani to order an immediate “personnel asset inventory,” official said. Mr. Atmar said the increase in recruitment of the A.L.P. was to “front-load” for other national forces, with the goal of eventually using the new recruits to fill the vacancies that exist in the army and the police. The Afghan Local Police were established by American commanders as a low-cost auxiliary force trained by the United States Special Forces. But even when units have been under direct <hl> American supervision <hl>, some have committed abuses. Several assessments, the most comprehensive of them by the International Crisis Group, have concluded that the A.L.P. “has not improved security in many places and even exacerbated the conflict in many districts.”

But even when units have been under direct <hl> American supervision <hl> , some have committed abuses.


Question: What assessment of the A.L.P. did Mr. Ghani order?

Answer: personnel asset inventory

<hl> The widespread nature of the problem has prompted Mr. Ghani to order an immediate “ personnel asset inventory ,” official said. <hl> Mr. Atmar said the increase in recruitment of the A.L.P. was to “front-load” for other national forces, with the goal of eventually using the new recruits to fill the vacancies that exist in the army and the police. The Afghan Local Police were established by American commanders as a low-cost auxiliary force trained by the United States Special Forces. But even when units have been under direct American supervision, some have committed abuses. Several assessments, the most comprehensive of them by the International Crisis Group, have concluded that the A.L.P. “has not improved security in many places and even exacerbated the conflict in many districts.”

The widespread nature of the problem has prompted Mr. Ghani to order an immediate “<hl> personnel asset inventory <hl>,” official said. Mr. Atmar said the increase in recruitment of the A.L.P. was to “front-load” for other national forces, with the goal of eventually using the new recruits to fill the vacancies that exist in the army and the police. The Afghan Local Police were established by American commanders as a low-cost auxiliary force trained by the United States Special Forces. But even when units have been under direct American supervision, some have committed abuses. Several assessments, the most comprehensive of them by the International Crisis Group, have concluded that the A.L.P. “has not improved security in many places and even exacerbated the conflict in many districts.”

The widespread nature of the problem has prompted Mr. Ghani to order an immediate “ <hl> personnel asset inventory <hl> ,” official said.


Question: What do the strongmen have to gain from militia expansion/

The current expansion is happening without the mentorship of American forces, and under difficult circumstances. Thousands of men who had once been disarmed by government campaigns costing hundreds of millions of dollars are now being rearmed. The design is also being rolled out at a time when factional strongmen and elements of the former government in Kabul have mounted pressure on Mr. Ghani’s government, accusing him of exclusionary politics. In the wake of the Kunduz disaster, the strongmen, many of whom have pasts as northern warlords, have been pressing the government to use militias loyal to them in the fight against the Taliban. Some officials fear the militia expansion amounts to a political payoff to these strongmen, who have often used A.L.P. units for their personal business.

Answer: political payoff

The current expansion is happening without the mentorship of American forces, and under difficult circumstances. Thousands of men who had once been disarmed by government campaigns costing hundreds of millions of dollars are now being rearmed. The design is also being rolled out at a time when factional strongmen and elements of the former government in Kabul have mounted pressure on Mr. Ghani’s government, accusing him of exclusionary politics. In the wake of the Kunduz disaster, the strongmen, many of whom have pasts as northern warlords, have been pressing the government to use militias loyal to them in the fight against the Taliban. <hl> Some officials fear the militia expansion amounts to a political payoff to these strongmen, who have often used A.L.P. units for their personal business. <hl>

The current expansion is happening without the mentorship of American forces, and under difficult circumstances. Thousands of men who had once been disarmed by government campaigns costing hundreds of millions of dollars are now being rearmed. The design is also being rolled out at a time when factional strongmen and elements of the former government in Kabul have mounted pressure on Mr. Ghani’s government, accusing him of exclusionary politics. In the wake of the Kunduz disaster, the strongmen, many of whom have pasts as northern warlords, have been pressing the government to use militias loyal to them in the fight against the Taliban. Some officials fear the militia expansion amounts to a <hl> political payoff <hl> to these strongmen, who have often used A.L.P. units for their personal business.


Question: Who disarmed thousands of men in the past?

Answer: government campaigns

The current expansion is happening without the mentorship of American forces, and under difficult circumstances. <hl> Thousands of men who had once been disarmed by government campaigns costing hundreds of millions of dollars are now being rearmed. <hl> The design is also being rolled out at a time when factional strongmen and elements of the former government in Kabul have mounted pressure on Mr. Ghani’s government, accusing him of exclusionary politics. In the wake of the Kunduz disaster, the strongmen, many of whom have pasts as northern warlords, have been pressing the government to use militias loyal to them in the fight against the Taliban. Some officials fear the militia expansion amounts to a political payoff to these strongmen, who have often used A.L.P. units for their personal business.

The current expansion is happening without the mentorship of American forces, and under difficult circumstances. Thousands of men who had once been disarmed by <hl> government campaigns <hl> costing hundreds of millions of dollars are now being rearmed. The design is also being rolled out at a time when factional strongmen and elements of the former government in Kabul have mounted pressure on Mr. Ghani’s government, accusing him of exclusionary politics. In the wake of the Kunduz disaster, the strongmen, many of whom have pasts as northern warlords, have been pressing the government to use militias loyal to them in the fight against the Taliban. Some officials fear the militia expansion amounts to a political payoff to these strongmen, who have often used A.L.P. units for their personal business.


Question: Who have abused the A.L.P. for their own purposes?

Answer: strongmen

The current expansion is happening without the mentorship of American forces, and under difficult circumstances. Thousands of men who had once been disarmed by government campaigns costing hundreds of millions of dollars are now being rearmed. <hl> The design is also being rolled out at a time when factional strongmen and elements of the former government in Kabul have mounted pressure on Mr. Ghani’s government, accusing him of exclusionary politics. <hl> In the wake of the Kunduz disaster, the strongmen, many of whom have pasts as northern warlords, have been pressing the government to use militias loyal to them in the fight against the Taliban. Some officials fear the militia expansion amounts to a political payoff to these strongmen, who have often used A.L.P. units for their personal business.

The current expansion is happening without the mentorship of American forces, and under difficult circumstances. Thousands of men who had once been disarmed by government campaigns costing hundreds of millions of dollars are now being rearmed. The design is also being rolled out at a time when factional <hl> strongmen <hl> and elements of the former government in Kabul have mounted pressure on Mr. Ghani’s government, accusing him of exclusionary politics. In the wake of the Kunduz disaster, the strongmen, many of whom have pasts as northern warlords, have been pressing the government to use militias loyal to them in the fight against the Taliban. Some officials fear the militia expansion amounts to a political payoff to these strongmen, who have often used A.L.P. units for their personal business.


Question: Who has been accused of exclusionary politics?

Answer: Mr. Ghani

The current expansion is happening without the mentorship of American forces, and under difficult circumstances. Thousands of men who had once been disarmed by government campaigns costing hundreds of millions of dollars are now being rearmed. <hl> The design is also being rolled out at a time when factional strongmen and elements of the former government in Kabul have mounted pressure on Mr. Ghani ’s government, accusing him of exclusionary politics. <hl> In the wake of the Kunduz disaster, the strongmen, many of whom have pasts as northern warlords, have been pressing the government to use militias loyal to them in the fight against the Taliban. Some officials fear the militia expansion amounts to a political payoff to these strongmen, who have often used A.L.P. units for their personal business.

The current expansion is happening without the mentorship of American forces, and under difficult circumstances. Thousands of men who had once been disarmed by government campaigns costing hundreds of millions of dollars are now being rearmed. The design is also being rolled out at a time when factional strongmen and elements of the former government in Kabul have mounted pressure on <hl> Mr. Ghani <hl>’s government, accusing him of exclusionary politics. In the wake of the Kunduz disaster, the strongmen, many of whom have pasts as northern warlords, have been pressing the government to use militias loyal to them in the fight against the Taliban. Some officials fear the militia expansion amounts to a political payoff to these strongmen, who have often used A.L.P. units for their personal business.

The design is also being rolled out at a time when factional strongmen and elements of the former government in Kabul have mounted pressure on <hl> Mr. Ghani <hl> ’s government, accusing him of exclusionary politics.


Question: Who did Mr. Mellbin feel could have prevented the current situation?

The Kabul government’s political struggles have had a direct affect on the morale of the security forces, some officials say. Many of the army and police commanders who were in Kunduz maintain factional loyalties that at times have been at odds with the central government. In the confusion of the Taliban assault, some simply chose not to fight when the moment arrived, some officials claimed. “The security challenges cannot be seen in isolation,” said Mr. Mellbin, the European Union representative. “The political space needs to be worked more effectively. If the elite had come together on Kunduz, the situation could have been managed before it became a national security threat.”

Answer: the elite

The Kabul government’s political struggles have had a direct affect on the morale of the security forces, some officials say. Many of the army and police commanders who were in Kunduz maintain factional loyalties that at times have been at odds with the central government. In the confusion of the Taliban assault, some simply chose not to fight when the moment arrived, some officials claimed. “The security challenges cannot be seen in isolation,” said Mr. Mellbin, the European Union representative. “The political space needs to be worked more effectively. <hl> If the elite had come together on Kunduz, the situation could have been managed before it became a national security threat.” <hl>

The Kabul government’s political struggles have had a direct affect on the morale of the security forces, some officials say. Many of the army and police commanders who were in Kunduz maintain factional loyalties that at times have been at odds with the central government. In the confusion of the Taliban assault, some simply chose not to fight when the moment arrived, some officials claimed. “The security challenges cannot be seen in isolation,” said Mr. Mellbin, the European Union representative. “The political space needs to be worked more effectively. If <hl> the elite <hl> had come together on Kunduz, the situation could have been managed before it became a national security threat.”


Question: Why did some choose not to fight in Kunduz?

Answer: factional loyalties

The Kabul government’s political struggles have had a direct affect on the morale of the security forces, some officials say. <hl> Many of the army and police commanders who were in Kunduz maintain factional loyalties that at times have been at odds with the central government. <hl> In the confusion of the Taliban assault, some simply chose not to fight when the moment arrived, some officials claimed. “The security challenges cannot be seen in isolation,” said Mr. Mellbin, the European Union representative. “The political space needs to be worked more effectively. If the elite had come together on Kunduz, the situation could have been managed before it became a national security threat.”

The Kabul government’s political struggles have had a direct affect on the morale of the security forces, some officials say. Many of the army and police commanders who were in Kunduz maintain <hl> factional loyalties <hl> that at times have been at odds with the central government. In the confusion of the Taliban assault, some simply chose not to fight when the moment arrived, some officials claimed. “The security challenges cannot be seen in isolation,” said Mr. Mellbin, the European Union representative. “The political space needs to be worked more effectively. If the elite had come together on Kunduz, the situation could have been managed before it became a national security threat.”


Question: Which organization does Mr. Mellbin represent?

Answer: European Union

The Kabul government’s political struggles have had a direct affect on the morale of the security forces, some officials say. Many of the army and police commanders who were in Kunduz maintain factional loyalties that at times have been at odds with the central government. In the confusion of the Taliban assault, some simply chose not to fight when the moment arrived, some officials claimed. <hl> “The security challenges cannot be seen in isolation,” said Mr. Mellbin, the European Union representative. <hl> “The political space needs to be worked more effectively. If the elite had come together on Kunduz, the situation could have been managed before it became a national security threat.”

The Kabul government’s political struggles have had a direct affect on the morale of the security forces, some officials say. Many of the army and police commanders who were in Kunduz maintain factional loyalties that at times have been at odds with the central government. In the confusion of the Taliban assault, some simply chose not to fight when the moment arrived, some officials claimed. “The security challenges cannot be seen in isolation,” said Mr. Mellbin, the <hl> European Union <hl> representative. “The political space needs to be worked more effectively. If the elite had come together on Kunduz, the situation could have been managed before it became a national security threat.”


Question: What do officials say affects security morale?

Answer: The Kabul government’s political struggles

<hl> The Kabul government’s political struggles have had a direct affect on the morale of the security forces, some officials say. <hl> Many of the army and police commanders who were in Kunduz maintain factional loyalties that at times have been at odds with the central government. In the confusion of the Taliban assault, some simply chose not to fight when the moment arrived, some officials claimed. “The security challenges cannot be seen in isolation,” said Mr. Mellbin, the European Union representative. “The political space needs to be worked more effectively. If the elite had come together on Kunduz, the situation could have been managed before it became a national security threat.”

<hl> The Kabul government’s political struggles <hl> have had a direct affect on the morale of the security forces, some officials say. Many of the army and police commanders who were in Kunduz maintain factional loyalties that at times have been at odds with the central government. In the confusion of the Taliban assault, some simply chose not to fight when the moment arrived, some officials claimed. “The security challenges cannot be seen in isolation,” said Mr. Mellbin, the European Union representative. “The political space needs to be worked more effectively. If the elite had come together on Kunduz, the situation could have been managed before it became a national security threat.”


Question: In which day has been made the announcement of the Education Department?

Taking a small step to address segregation in New York City schools, the Education Department announced on Friday that it would allow seven schools to reserve slots for children from low-income or non-English speaking families. Six of the seven schools that will change their policies are unzoned, meaning that they admit students by lottery rather than by drawing from the surrounding neighborhood, the Education Department said. Under the pilot program, students who qualify for free or reduced lunch, are in the child welfare system, are English-language learners or have incarcerated parents would be given priority in those lotteries. The schools would set aside from about 20 percent to 60 percent of their seats for students in those groups, many of them black or Hispanic. All the affected schools are elementary schools, and the changes will take effect for the upcoming kindergarten application cycle. The program grew out of recommendations that the schools’ principals made to the Education Department last year, as Mayor Bill de Blasio has faced growing pressure from principals and community leaders to increase diversity.

Answer: on Friday

<hl> Taking a small step to address segregation in New York City schools, the Education Department announced on Friday that it would allow seven schools to reserve slots for children from low-income or non-English speaking families. <hl> Six of the seven schools that will change their policies are unzoned, meaning that they admit students by lottery rather than by drawing from the surrounding neighborhood, the Education Department said. Under the pilot program, students who qualify for free or reduced lunch, are in the child welfare system, are English-language learners or have incarcerated parents would be given priority in those lotteries. The schools would set aside from about 20 percent to 60 percent of their seats for students in those groups, many of them black or Hispanic. All the affected schools are elementary schools, and the changes will take effect for the upcoming kindergarten application cycle. The program grew out of recommendations that the schools’ principals made to the Education Department last year, as Mayor Bill de Blasio has faced growing pressure from principals and community leaders to increase diversity.

Taking a small step to address segregation in New York City schools, the Education Department announced <hl> on Friday <hl> that it would allow seven schools to reserve slots for children from low-income or non-English speaking families. Six of the seven schools that will change their policies are unzoned, meaning that they admit students by lottery rather than by drawing from the surrounding neighborhood, the Education Department said. Under the pilot program, students who qualify for free or reduced lunch, are in the child welfare system, are English-language learners or have incarcerated parents would be given priority in those lotteries. The schools would set aside from about 20 percent to 60 percent of their seats for students in those groups, many of them black or Hispanic. All the affected schools are elementary schools, and the changes will take effect for the upcoming kindergarten application cycle. The program grew out of recommendations that the schools’ principals made to the Education Department last year, as Mayor Bill de Blasio has faced growing pressure from principals and community leaders to increase diversity.


Question: Which one is the method used by 6 of the 7 schools to admit students?

Answer: by lottery

Taking a small step to address segregation in New York City schools, the Education Department announced on Friday that it would allow seven schools to reserve slots for children from low-income or non-English speaking families. <hl> Six of the seven schools that will change their policies are unzoned, meaning that they admit students by lottery rather than by drawing from the surrounding neighborhood <hl> , the Education Department said. Under the pilot program, students who qualify for free or reduced lunch, are in the child welfare system, are English-language learners or have incarcerated parents would be given priority in those lotteries. The schools would set aside from about 20 percent to 60 percent of their seats for students in those groups, many of them black or Hispanic. All the affected schools are elementary schools, and the changes will take effect for the upcoming kindergarten application cycle. The program grew out of recommendations that the schools’ principals made to the Education Department last year, as Mayor Bill de Blasio has faced growing pressure from principals and community leaders to increase diversity.

Taking a small step to address segregation in New York City schools, the Education Department announced on Friday that it would allow seven schools to reserve slots for children from low-income or non-English speaking families. Six of the seven schools that will change their policies are unzoned, meaning that they admit students <hl> by lottery <hl> rather than by drawing from the surrounding neighborhood, the Education Department said. Under the pilot program, students who qualify for free or reduced lunch, are in the child welfare system, are English-language learners or have incarcerated parents would be given priority in those lotteries. The schools would set aside from about 20 percent to 60 percent of their seats for students in those groups, many of them black or Hispanic. All the affected schools are elementary schools, and the changes will take effect for the upcoming kindergarten application cycle. The program grew out of recommendations that the schools’ principals made to the Education Department last year, as Mayor Bill de Blasio has faced growing pressure from principals and community leaders to increase diversity.


Question: How many schools will be able to keep some spots for children coming from low-income or non-English speaking families?

Answer: seven

<hl> Taking a small step to address segregation in New York City schools, the Education Department announced on Friday that it would allow seven schools to reserve slots for children from low-income or non-English speaking families. <hl> Six of the seven schools that will change their policies are unzoned, meaning that they admit students by lottery rather than by drawing from the surrounding neighborhood, the Education Department said. Under the pilot program, students who qualify for free or reduced lunch, are in the child welfare system, are English-language learners or have incarcerated parents would be given priority in those lotteries. The schools would set aside from about 20 percent to 60 percent of their seats for students in those groups, many of them black or Hispanic. All the affected schools are elementary schools, and the changes will take effect for the upcoming kindergarten application cycle. The program grew out of recommendations that the schools’ principals made to the Education Department last year, as Mayor Bill de Blasio has faced growing pressure from principals and community leaders to increase diversity.

Taking a small step to address segregation in New York City schools, the Education Department announced on Friday that it would allow <hl> seven <hl> schools to reserve slots for children from low-income or non-English speaking families. Six of the seven schools that will change their policies are unzoned, meaning that they admit students by lottery rather than by drawing from the surrounding neighborhood, the Education Department said. Under the pilot program, students who qualify for free or reduced lunch, are in the child welfare system, are English-language learners or have incarcerated parents would be given priority in those lotteries. The schools would set aside from about 20 percent to 60 percent of their seats for students in those groups, many of them black or Hispanic. All the affected schools are elementary schools, and the changes will take effect for the upcoming kindergarten application cycle. The program grew out of recommendations that the schools’ principals made to the Education Department last year, as Mayor Bill de Blasio has faced growing pressure from principals and community leaders to increase diversity.


Question: Which percentage of spots will be kept for the above said students?

Answer: about 20 percent to 60 percent

Taking a small step to address segregation in New York City schools, the Education Department announced on Friday that it would allow seven schools to reserve slots for children from low-income or non-English speaking families. Six of the seven schools that will change their policies are unzoned, meaning that they admit students by lottery rather than by drawing from the surrounding neighborhood, the Education Department said. Under the pilot program, students who qualify for free or reduced lunch, are in the child welfare system, are English-language learners or have incarcerated parents would be given priority in those lotteries. <hl> The schools would set aside from about 20 percent to 60 percent of their seats for students in those groups, many of them black or Hispanic. <hl> All the affected schools are elementary schools, and the changes will take effect for the upcoming kindergarten application cycle. The program grew out of recommendations that the schools’ principals made to the Education Department last year, as Mayor Bill de Blasio has faced growing pressure from principals and community leaders to increase diversity.

Taking a small step to address segregation in New York City schools, the Education Department announced on Friday that it would allow seven schools to reserve slots for children from low-income or non-English speaking families. Six of the seven schools that will change their policies are unzoned, meaning that they admit students by lottery rather than by drawing from the surrounding neighborhood, the Education Department said. Under the pilot program, students who qualify for free or reduced lunch, are in the child welfare system, are English-language learners or have incarcerated parents would be given priority in those lotteries. The schools would set aside from <hl> about 20 percent to 60 percent <hl> of their seats for students in those groups, many of them black or Hispanic. All the affected schools are elementary schools, and the changes will take effect for the upcoming kindergarten application cycle. The program grew out of recommendations that the schools’ principals made to the Education Department last year, as Mayor Bill de Blasio has faced growing pressure from principals and community leaders to increase diversity.


Question: What did face the Mayor Bill de Blasio during the previous year?

Answer: growing pressure from principals and community leaders to increase diversity

Taking a small step to address segregation in New York City schools, the Education Department announced on Friday that it would allow seven schools to reserve slots for children from low-income or non-English speaking families. Six of the seven schools that will change their policies are unzoned, meaning that they admit students by lottery rather than by drawing from the surrounding neighborhood, the Education Department said. Under the pilot program, students who qualify for free or reduced lunch, are in the child welfare system, are English-language learners or have incarcerated parents would be given priority in those lotteries. The schools would set aside from about 20 percent to 60 percent of their seats for students in those groups, many of them black or Hispanic. All the affected schools are elementary schools, and the changes will take effect for the upcoming kindergarten application cycle. <hl> The program grew out of recommendations that the schools’ principals made to the Education Department last year, as Mayor Bill de Blasio has faced growing pressure from principals and community leaders to increase diversity . <hl>

Taking a small step to address segregation in New York City schools, the Education Department announced on Friday that it would allow seven schools to reserve slots for children from low-income or non-English speaking families. Six of the seven schools that will change their policies are unzoned, meaning that they admit students by lottery rather than by drawing from the surrounding neighborhood, the Education Department said. Under the pilot program, students who qualify for free or reduced lunch, are in the child welfare system, are English-language learners or have incarcerated parents would be given priority in those lotteries. The schools would set aside from about 20 percent to 60 percent of their seats for students in those groups, many of them black or Hispanic. All the affected schools are elementary schools, and the changes will take effect for the upcoming kindergarten application cycle. The program grew out of recommendations that the schools’ principals made to the Education Department last year, as Mayor Bill de Blasio has faced <hl> growing pressure from principals and community leaders to increase diversity <hl>.

The program grew out of recommendations that the schools’ principals made to the Education Department last year, as Mayor Bill de Blasio has faced <hl> growing pressure from principals and community leaders to increase diversity <hl> .


Question: What is the current trajectory of China stock market?

Even if China’s stock markets end their dizzying falls — and analysts say there is still room to tumble even after a respite on Thursday — the sense of supreme control that once cloaked the Communist Party leadership may take longer to recover. Across China, many of the millions of middle-class investors have been asking why the party and the government talked up the market in the months leading up to the recent plunge, and then bumbled in their efforts to prevent the rout.

Answer: Even if China’s stock markets end their dizzying falls

<hl> Even if China’s stock markets end their dizzying falls — and analysts say there is still room to tumble even after a respite on Thursday — the sense of supreme control that once cloaked the Communist Party leadership may take longer to recover. <hl> Across China, many of the millions of middle-class investors have been asking why the party and the government talked up the market in the months leading up to the recent plunge, and then bumbled in their efforts to prevent the rout.

<hl> Even if China’s stock markets end their dizzying falls <hl> — and analysts say there is still room to tumble even after a respite on Thursday — the sense of supreme control that once cloaked the Communist Party leadership may take longer to recover. Across China, many of the millions of middle-class investors have been asking why the party and the government talked up the market in the months leading up to the recent plunge, and then bumbled in their efforts to prevent the rout.


Question: What type of effective response did the government have?

Answer: bumbled in their efforts to prevent the rout

Even if China’s stock markets end their dizzying falls — and analysts say there is still room to tumble even after a respite on Thursday — the sense of supreme control that once cloaked the Communist Party leadership may take longer to recover. <hl> Across China, many of the millions of middle-class investors have been asking why the party and the government talked up the market in the months leading up to the recent plunge, and then bumbled in their efforts to prevent the rout . <hl>

Even if China’s stock markets end their dizzying falls — and analysts say there is still room to tumble even after a respite on Thursday — the sense of supreme control that once cloaked the Communist Party leadership may take longer to recover. Across China, many of the millions of middle-class investors have been asking why the party and the government talked up the market in the months leading up to the recent plunge, and then <hl> bumbled in their efforts to prevent the rout <hl>.

Across China, many of the millions of middle-class investors have been asking why the party and the government talked up the market in the months leading up to the recent plunge, and then <hl> bumbled in their efforts to prevent the rout <hl> .


Question: What have middle-class investors been asking the Chinese communist Party?

Answer: why the party and the government talked up the market in the months leading up to the recent plunge

Even if China’s stock markets end their dizzying falls — and analysts say there is still room to tumble even after a respite on Thursday — the sense of supreme control that once cloaked the Communist Party leadership may take longer to recover. <hl> Across China, many of the millions of middle-class investors have been asking why the party and the government talked up the market in the months leading up to the recent plunge , and then bumbled in their efforts to prevent the rout. <hl>

Even if China’s stock markets end their dizzying falls — and analysts say there is still room to tumble even after a respite on Thursday — the sense of supreme control that once cloaked the Communist Party leadership may take longer to recover. Across China, many of the millions of middle-class investors have been asking <hl> why the party and the government talked up the market in the months leading up to the recent plunge <hl>, and then bumbled in their efforts to prevent the rout.

Across China, many of the millions of middle-class investors have been asking <hl> why the party and the government talked up the market in the months leading up to the recent plunge <hl> , and then bumbled in their efforts to prevent the rout.


Question: What are the prospects of the market according to analysts?

Answer: analysts say there is still room to tumble even after a respite on Thursday

<hl> Even if China’s stock markets end their dizzying falls — and analysts say there is still room to tumble even after a respite on Thursday — the sense of supreme control that once cloaked the Communist Party leadership may take longer to recover. <hl> Across China, many of the millions of middle-class investors have been asking why the party and the government talked up the market in the months leading up to the recent plunge, and then bumbled in their efforts to prevent the rout.

Even if China’s stock markets end their dizzying falls — and <hl> analysts say there is still room to tumble even after a respite on Thursday <hl> — the sense of supreme control that once cloaked the Communist Party leadership may take longer to recover. Across China, many of the millions of middle-class investors have been asking why the party and the government talked up the market in the months leading up to the recent plunge, and then bumbled in their efforts to prevent the rout.


Question: What day was there a favorable impact on the market?

Answer: Thursday

<hl> Even if China’s stock markets end their dizzying falls — and analysts say there is still room to tumble even after a respite on Thursday — the sense of supreme control that once cloaked the Communist Party leadership may take longer to recover. <hl> Across China, many of the millions of middle-class investors have been asking why the party and the government talked up the market in the months leading up to the recent plunge, and then bumbled in their efforts to prevent the rout.

Even if China’s stock markets end their dizzying falls — and analysts say there is still room to tumble even after a respite on <hl> Thursday <hl> — the sense of supreme control that once cloaked the Communist Party leadership may take longer to recover. Across China, many of the millions of middle-class investors have been asking why the party and the government talked up the market in the months leading up to the recent plunge, and then bumbled in their efforts to prevent the rout.


Question: What did the middle class once believe?

“A middle class that believed deeply that the motherland would become strong has been eviscerated,” said an essay circulating on Chinese websites this week that was credited to an investor who had lost most of his savings. “This was a stock wipeout that thoroughly damaged middle-class assets from a decade of striving. For us, the China Dream really is just a dream.” The giddiest investors, including those who took on debt to buy stock, are wondering if they can recover their fortunes. Some have posted notices on property rental and sales websites saying they need to sell their homes quickly to raise cash.

Answer: believed deeply that the motherland would become strong

<hl> “A middle class that believed deeply that the motherland would become strong has been eviscerated,” said an essay circulating on Chinese websites this week that was credited to an investor who had lost most of his savings. <hl> “This was a stock wipeout that thoroughly damaged middle-class assets from a decade of striving. For us, the China Dream really is just a dream.” The giddiest investors, including those who took on debt to buy stock, are wondering if they can recover their fortunes. Some have posted notices on property rental and sales websites saying they need to sell their homes quickly to raise cash.

“A middle class that <hl> believed deeply that the motherland would become strong <hl> has been eviscerated,” said an essay circulating on Chinese websites this week that was credited to an investor who had lost most of his savings. “This was a stock wipeout that thoroughly damaged middle-class assets from a decade of striving. For us, the China Dream really is just a dream.” The giddiest investors, including those who took on debt to buy stock, are wondering if they can recover their fortunes. Some have posted notices on property rental and sales websites saying they need to sell their homes quickly to raise cash.


Question: What impact has the current stock market situation had on the citizens?

Answer: thoroughly damaged middle-class assets from a decade of striving

“A middle class that believed deeply that the motherland would become strong has been eviscerated,” said an essay circulating on Chinese websites this week that was credited to an investor who had lost most of his savings. <hl> “This was a stock wipeout that thoroughly damaged middle-class assets from a decade of striving . <hl> For us, the China Dream really is just a dream.” The giddiest investors, including those who took on debt to buy stock, are wondering if they can recover their fortunes. Some have posted notices on property rental and sales websites saying they need to sell their homes quickly to raise cash.

“A middle class that believed deeply that the motherland would become strong has been eviscerated,” said an essay circulating on Chinese websites this week that was credited to an investor who had lost most of his savings. “This was a stock wipeout that <hl> thoroughly damaged middle-class assets from a decade of striving <hl>. For us, the China Dream really is just a dream.” The giddiest investors, including those who took on debt to buy stock, are wondering if they can recover their fortunes. Some have posted notices on property rental and sales websites saying they need to sell their homes quickly to raise cash.

“This was a stock wipeout that <hl> thoroughly damaged middle-class assets from a decade of striving <hl> .


Question: What use if taking on debt?

Answer: buy stock

“A middle class that believed deeply that the motherland would become strong has been eviscerated,” said an essay circulating on Chinese websites this week that was credited to an investor who had lost most of his savings. “This was a stock wipeout that thoroughly damaged middle-class assets from a decade of striving. For us, the China Dream really is just a dream.” <hl> The giddiest investors, including those who took on debt to buy stock , are wondering if they can recover their fortunes. <hl> Some have posted notices on property rental and sales websites saying they need to sell their homes quickly to raise cash.

“A middle class that believed deeply that the motherland would become strong has been eviscerated,” said an essay circulating on Chinese websites this week that was credited to an investor who had lost most of his savings. “This was a stock wipeout that thoroughly damaged middle-class assets from a decade of striving. For us, the China Dream really is just a dream.” The giddiest investors, including those who took on debt to <hl> buy stock <hl>, are wondering if they can recover their fortunes. Some have posted notices on property rental and sales websites saying they need to sell their homes quickly to raise cash.

The giddiest investors, including those who took on debt to <hl> buy stock <hl> , are wondering if they can recover their fortunes.


Question: How are those affected coping with the financial loss?

Answer: posted notices on property rental and sales websites saying they need to sell their homes quickly to raise cash

“A middle class that believed deeply that the motherland would become strong has been eviscerated,” said an essay circulating on Chinese websites this week that was credited to an investor who had lost most of his savings. “This was a stock wipeout that thoroughly damaged middle-class assets from a decade of striving. For us, the China Dream really is just a dream.” The giddiest investors, including those who took on debt to buy stock, are wondering if they can recover their fortunes. <hl> Some have posted notices on property rental and sales websites saying they need to sell their homes quickly to raise cash . <hl>

“A middle class that believed deeply that the motherland would become strong has been eviscerated,” said an essay circulating on Chinese websites this week that was credited to an investor who had lost most of his savings. “This was a stock wipeout that thoroughly damaged middle-class assets from a decade of striving. For us, the China Dream really is just a dream.” The giddiest investors, including those who took on debt to buy stock, are wondering if they can recover their fortunes. Some have <hl> posted notices on property rental and sales websites saying they need to sell their homes quickly to raise cash <hl>.

Some have <hl> posted notices on property rental and sales websites saying they need to sell their homes quickly to raise cash <hl> .


Question: What has been circulating on Chinese websites this week?

Answer: an essay

<hl> “A middle class that believed deeply that the motherland would become strong has been eviscerated,” said an essay circulating on Chinese websites this week that was credited to an investor who had lost most of his savings. <hl> “This was a stock wipeout that thoroughly damaged middle-class assets from a decade of striving. For us, the China Dream really is just a dream.” The giddiest investors, including those who took on debt to buy stock, are wondering if they can recover their fortunes. Some have posted notices on property rental and sales websites saying they need to sell their homes quickly to raise cash.

“A middle class that believed deeply that the motherland would become strong has been eviscerated,” said <hl> an essay <hl> circulating on Chinese websites this week that was credited to an investor who had lost most of his savings. “This was a stock wipeout that thoroughly damaged middle-class assets from a decade of striving. For us, the China Dream really is just a dream.” The giddiest investors, including those who took on debt to buy stock, are wondering if they can recover their fortunes. Some have posted notices on property rental and sales websites saying they need to sell their homes quickly to raise cash.


Question: What percent of urban Chinese households held stock?

Credit Suisse estimated in a research note this week that 80 percent of urban Chinese households held stakes in the stock market, either directly or through equity funds that invest in it. By midway through this year, 8.8 percent of all Chinese households had bought stocks directly, and the vast majority were urban dwellers, according to the China Household Finance Survey, conducted by the Southwestern University of Finance and Economics in Chengdu. Under Mr. Xi, the government has urged households to invest in the stock market to meet several economic imperatives: to generate more capital for state-run companies being weaned off bank loans, to strengthen the private companies that create many of the country’s jobs, and to lift the confidence of consumers so that they will play a bigger role in driving economic growth.

Answer: 80 percent

<hl> Credit Suisse estimated in a research note this week that 80 percent of urban Chinese households held stakes in the stock market, either directly or through equity funds that invest in it. <hl> By midway through this year, 8.8 percent of all Chinese households had bought stocks directly, and the vast majority were urban dwellers, according to the China Household Finance Survey, conducted by the Southwestern University of Finance and Economics in Chengdu. Under Mr. Xi, the government has urged households to invest in the stock market to meet several economic imperatives: to generate more capital for state-run companies being weaned off bank loans, to strengthen the private companies that create many of the country’s jobs, and to lift the confidence of consumers so that they will play a bigger role in driving economic growth.

Credit Suisse estimated in a research note this week that <hl> 80 percent <hl> of urban Chinese households held stakes in the stock market, either directly or through equity funds that invest in it. By midway through this year, 8.8 percent of all Chinese households had bought stocks directly, and the vast majority were urban dwellers, according to the China Household Finance Survey, conducted by the Southwestern University of Finance and Economics in Chengdu. Under Mr. Xi, the government has urged households to invest in the stock market to meet several economic imperatives: to generate more capital for state-run companies being weaned off bank loans, to strengthen the private companies that create many of the country’s jobs, and to lift the confidence of consumers so that they will play a bigger role in driving economic growth.


Question: What percent of all households had attained stocks directly?

Answer: 8.8 percent

Credit Suisse estimated in a research note this week that 80 percent of urban Chinese households held stakes in the stock market, either directly or through equity funds that invest in it. <hl> By midway through this year, 8.8 percent of all Chinese households had bought stocks directly, and the vast majority were urban dwellers, according to the China Household Finance Survey, conducted by the Southwestern University of Finance and Economics in Chengdu. <hl> Under Mr. Xi, the government has urged households to invest in the stock market to meet several economic imperatives: to generate more capital for state-run companies being weaned off bank loans, to strengthen the private companies that create many of the country’s jobs, and to lift the confidence of consumers so that they will play a bigger role in driving economic growth.

Credit Suisse estimated in a research note this week that 80 percent of urban Chinese households held stakes in the stock market, either directly or through equity funds that invest in it. By midway through this year, <hl> 8.8 percent <hl> of all Chinese households had bought stocks directly, and the vast majority were urban dwellers, according to the China Household Finance Survey, conducted by the Southwestern University of Finance and Economics in Chengdu. Under Mr. Xi, the government has urged households to invest in the stock market to meet several economic imperatives: to generate more capital for state-run companies being weaned off bank loans, to strengthen the private companies that create many of the country’s jobs, and to lift the confidence of consumers so that they will play a bigger role in driving economic growth.


Question: What are the two ways in which Chinese households could invest in stock?

Answer: either directly or through equity funds that invest in it

<hl> Credit Suisse estimated in a research note this week that 80 percent of urban Chinese households held stakes in the stock market, either directly or through equity funds that invest in it . <hl> By midway through this year, 8.8 percent of all Chinese households had bought stocks directly, and the vast majority were urban dwellers, according to the China Household Finance Survey, conducted by the Southwestern University of Finance and Economics in Chengdu. Under Mr. Xi, the government has urged households to invest in the stock market to meet several economic imperatives: to generate more capital for state-run companies being weaned off bank loans, to strengthen the private companies that create many of the country’s jobs, and to lift the confidence of consumers so that they will play a bigger role in driving economic growth.

Credit Suisse estimated in a research note this week that 80 percent of urban Chinese households held stakes in the stock market, <hl> either directly or through equity funds that invest in it <hl>. By midway through this year, 8.8 percent of all Chinese households had bought stocks directly, and the vast majority were urban dwellers, according to the China Household Finance Survey, conducted by the Southwestern University of Finance and Economics in Chengdu. Under Mr. Xi, the government has urged households to invest in the stock market to meet several economic imperatives: to generate more capital for state-run companies being weaned off bank loans, to strengthen the private companies that create many of the country’s jobs, and to lift the confidence of consumers so that they will play a bigger role in driving economic growth.

Credit Suisse estimated in a research note this week that 80 percent of urban Chinese households held stakes in the stock market, <hl> either directly or through equity funds that invest in it <hl> .


Question: What was the main demographic of Chinese households that bough stock directly?

Answer: urban dwellers

Credit Suisse estimated in a research note this week that 80 percent of urban Chinese households held stakes in the stock market, either directly or through equity funds that invest in it. <hl> By midway through this year, 8.8 percent of all Chinese households had bought stocks directly, and the vast majority were urban dwellers , according to the China Household Finance Survey, conducted by the Southwestern University of Finance and Economics in Chengdu. <hl> Under Mr. Xi, the government has urged households to invest in the stock market to meet several economic imperatives: to generate more capital for state-run companies being weaned off bank loans, to strengthen the private companies that create many of the country’s jobs, and to lift the confidence of consumers so that they will play a bigger role in driving economic growth.

Credit Suisse estimated in a research note this week that 80 percent of urban Chinese households held stakes in the stock market, either directly or through equity funds that invest in it. By midway through this year, 8.8 percent of all Chinese households had bought stocks directly, and the vast majority were <hl> urban dwellers <hl>, according to the China Household Finance Survey, conducted by the Southwestern University of Finance and Economics in Chengdu. Under Mr. Xi, the government has urged households to invest in the stock market to meet several economic imperatives: to generate more capital for state-run companies being weaned off bank loans, to strengthen the private companies that create many of the country’s jobs, and to lift the confidence of consumers so that they will play a bigger role in driving economic growth.

By midway through this year, 8.8 percent of all Chinese households had bought stocks directly, and the vast majority were <hl> urban dwellers <hl> , according to the China Household Finance Survey, conducted by the Southwestern University of Finance and Economics in Chengdu.


Question: Which institution conducted the China Household Finance Survey?

Answer: Southwestern University of Finance and Economics

Credit Suisse estimated in a research note this week that 80 percent of urban Chinese households held stakes in the stock market, either directly or through equity funds that invest in it. <hl> By midway through this year, 8.8 percent of all Chinese households had bought stocks directly, and the vast majority were urban dwellers, according to the China Household Finance Survey, conducted by the Southwestern University of Finance and Economics in Chengdu. <hl> Under Mr. Xi, the government has urged households to invest in the stock market to meet several economic imperatives: to generate more capital for state-run companies being weaned off bank loans, to strengthen the private companies that create many of the country’s jobs, and to lift the confidence of consumers so that they will play a bigger role in driving economic growth.

Credit Suisse estimated in a research note this week that 80 percent of urban Chinese households held stakes in the stock market, either directly or through equity funds that invest in it. By midway through this year, 8.8 percent of all Chinese households had bought stocks directly, and the vast majority were urban dwellers, according to the China Household Finance Survey, conducted by the <hl> Southwestern University of Finance and Economics <hl> in Chengdu. Under Mr. Xi, the government has urged households to invest in the stock market to meet several economic imperatives: to generate more capital for state-run companies being weaned off bank loans, to strengthen the private companies that create many of the country’s jobs, and to lift the confidence of consumers so that they will play a bigger role in driving economic growth.


Question: What did the editorials in Chinese state-run newspapers celebrate?

Moreover, editorials in China’s state-run news media celebrated the rising indexes as affirmation of Mr. Xi’s recipe for national strength: a measured easing of state controls on the economy while keeping political power firmly in the hands of the party elite. Market adulation reached its peak in April, when a commentary on the website of People’s Daily, the party’s flagship newspaper, told readers the 4,000 point mark reached by the Shanghai Stock Exchange was “only the start of the bull market.” “What’s a bubble? Tulips and Bitcoins are bubbles,” the author, Wang Ruoyu, wrote, scoffing at warnings that the Chinese stock markets were bound to burst. He expressed confidence in the long-term prospects of the common stocks known as A Shares traded on the Shanghai and Shenzhen exchanges.

Answer: rising indexes

<hl> Moreover, editorials in China’s state-run news media celebrated the rising indexes as affirmation of Mr. Xi’s recipe for national strength: a measured easing of state controls on the economy while keeping political power firmly in the hands of the party elite. <hl> Market adulation reached its peak in April, when a commentary on the website of People’s Daily, the party’s flagship newspaper, told readers the 4,000 point mark reached by the Shanghai Stock Exchange was “only the start of the bull market.” “What’s a bubble? Tulips and Bitcoins are bubbles,” the author, Wang Ruoyu, wrote, scoffing at warnings that the Chinese stock markets were bound to burst. He expressed confidence in the long-term prospects of the common stocks known as A Shares traded on the Shanghai and Shenzhen exchanges.

Moreover, editorials in China’s state-run news media celebrated the <hl> rising indexes <hl> as affirmation of Mr. Xi’s recipe for national strength: a measured easing of state controls on the economy while keeping political power firmly in the hands of the party elite. Market adulation reached its peak in April, when a commentary on the website of People’s Daily, the party’s flagship newspaper, told readers the 4,000 point mark reached by the Shanghai Stock Exchange was “only the start of the bull market.” “What’s a bubble? Tulips and Bitcoins are bubbles,” the author, Wang Ruoyu, wrote, scoffing at warnings that the Chinese stock markets were bound to burst. He expressed confidence in the long-term prospects of the common stocks known as A Shares traded on the Shanghai and Shenzhen exchanges.


Question: When did market adulation reach its highest point?

Answer: in April

Moreover, editorials in China’s state-run news media celebrated the rising indexes as affirmation of Mr. Xi’s recipe for national strength: a measured easing of state controls on the economy while keeping political power firmly in the hands of the party elite. <hl> Market adulation reached its peak in April , when a commentary on the website of People’s Daily, the party’s flagship newspaper, told readers the 4,000 point mark reached by the Shanghai Stock Exchange was “only the start of the bull market.” <hl> “What’s a bubble? Tulips and Bitcoins are bubbles,” the author, Wang Ruoyu, wrote, scoffing at warnings that the Chinese stock markets were bound to burst. He expressed confidence in the long-term prospects of the common stocks known as A Shares traded on the Shanghai and Shenzhen exchanges.

Moreover, editorials in China’s state-run news media celebrated the rising indexes as affirmation of Mr. Xi’s recipe for national strength: a measured easing of state controls on the economy while keeping political power firmly in the hands of the party elite. Market adulation reached its peak <hl> in April <hl>, when a commentary on the website of People’s Daily, the party’s flagship newspaper, told readers the 4,000 point mark reached by the Shanghai Stock Exchange was “only the start of the bull market.” “What’s a bubble? Tulips and Bitcoins are bubbles,” the author, Wang Ruoyu, wrote, scoffing at warnings that the Chinese stock markets were bound to burst. He expressed confidence in the long-term prospects of the common stocks known as A Shares traded on the Shanghai and Shenzhen exchanges.

Market adulation reached its peak <hl> in April <hl> , when a commentary on the website of People’s Daily, the party’s flagship newspaper, told readers the 4,000 point mark reached by the Shanghai Stock Exchange was “only the start of the bull market.”


Question: What is the name of the common stock with bets prospects?

Answer: A Shares

Moreover, editorials in China’s state-run news media celebrated the rising indexes as affirmation of Mr. Xi’s recipe for national strength: a measured easing of state controls on the economy while keeping political power firmly in the hands of the party elite. Market adulation reached its peak in April, when a commentary on the website of People’s Daily, the party’s flagship newspaper, told readers the 4,000 point mark reached by the Shanghai Stock Exchange was “only the start of the bull market.” “What’s a bubble? Tulips and Bitcoins are bubbles,” the author, Wang Ruoyu, wrote, scoffing at warnings that the Chinese stock markets were bound to burst. <hl> He expressed confidence in the long-term prospects of the common stocks known as A Shares traded on the Shanghai and Shenzhen exchanges. <hl>

Moreover, editorials in China’s state-run news media celebrated the rising indexes as affirmation of Mr. Xi’s recipe for national strength: a measured easing of state controls on the economy while keeping political power firmly in the hands of the party elite. Market adulation reached its peak in April, when a commentary on the website of People’s Daily, the party’s flagship newspaper, told readers the 4,000 point mark reached by the Shanghai Stock Exchange was “only the start of the bull market.” “What’s a bubble? Tulips and Bitcoins are bubbles,” the author, Wang Ruoyu, wrote, scoffing at warnings that the Chinese stock markets were bound to burst. He expressed confidence in the long-term prospects of the common stocks known as <hl> A Shares <hl> traded on the Shanghai and Shenzhen exchanges.


Question: What are the bubbles according to Wang Ruoyu?

Answer: Tulips and Bitcoins

Moreover, editorials in China’s state-run news media celebrated the rising indexes as affirmation of Mr. Xi’s recipe for national strength: a measured easing of state controls on the economy while keeping political power firmly in the hands of the party elite. Market adulation reached its peak in April, when a commentary on the website of People’s Daily, the party’s flagship newspaper, told readers the 4,000 point mark reached by the Shanghai Stock Exchange was “only the start of the bull market.” <hl> “What’s a bubble? Tulips and Bitcoins are bubbles,” the author, Wang Ruoyu, wrote, scoffing at warnings that the Chinese stock markets were bound to burst. <hl> He expressed confidence in the long-term prospects of the common stocks known as A Shares traded on the Shanghai and Shenzhen exchanges.

Moreover, editorials in China’s state-run news media celebrated the rising indexes as affirmation of Mr. Xi’s recipe for national strength: a measured easing of state controls on the economy while keeping political power firmly in the hands of the party elite. Market adulation reached its peak in April, when a commentary on the website of People’s Daily, the party’s flagship newspaper, told readers the 4,000 point mark reached by the Shanghai Stock Exchange was “only the start of the bull market.” “What’s a bubble? <hl> Tulips and Bitcoins <hl> are bubbles,” the author, Wang Ruoyu, wrote, scoffing at warnings that the Chinese stock markets were bound to burst. He expressed confidence in the long-term prospects of the common stocks known as A Shares traded on the Shanghai and Shenzhen exchanges.


Question: Where are A Shares traded?

Answer: Shanghai and Shenzhen exchanges.

Moreover, editorials in China’s state-run news media celebrated the rising indexes as affirmation of Mr. Xi’s recipe for national strength: a measured easing of state controls on the economy while keeping political power firmly in the hands of the party elite. Market adulation reached its peak in April, when a commentary on the website of People’s Daily, the party’s flagship newspaper, told readers the 4,000 point mark reached by the Shanghai Stock Exchange was “only the start of the bull market.” “What’s a bubble? Tulips and Bitcoins are bubbles,” the author, Wang Ruoyu, wrote, scoffing at warnings that the Chinese stock markets were bound to burst. <hl> He expressed confidence in the long-term prospects of the common stocks known as A Shares traded on the Shanghai and Shenzhen exchanges. <hl>

Moreover, editorials in China’s state-run news media celebrated the rising indexes as affirmation of Mr. Xi’s recipe for national strength: a measured easing of state controls on the economy while keeping political power firmly in the hands of the party elite. Market adulation reached its peak in April, when a commentary on the website of People’s Daily, the party’s flagship newspaper, told readers the 4,000 point mark reached by the Shanghai Stock Exchange was “only the start of the bull market.” “What’s a bubble? Tulips and Bitcoins are bubbles,” the author, Wang Ruoyu, wrote, scoffing at warnings that the Chinese stock markets were bound to burst. He expressed confidence in the long-term prospects of the common stocks known as A Shares traded on the <hl> Shanghai and Shenzhen exchanges. <hl>


Question: Where does Kenneth Lieberthal work?

The political implications of the crisis will depend “on how much farther this will go, what measures the government will still deploy to deal with it and how it is explained to those who are losing money,” said Kenneth G. Lieberthal, a scholar of Chinese politics at the Brookings Institution and a former senior director for Asia on the United States’ National Security Council.

Answer: Brookings Institution

The political implications of the crisis will depend “on how much farther this will go, what measures the government will still deploy to deal with it and how it is explained to those who are losing money,” said Kenneth G. Lieberthal, a scholar of Chinese politics at <hl> the Brookings Institution and a former senior director for Asia on the United States’ National Security Council. <hl>

The political implications of the crisis will depend “on how much farther this will go, what measures the government will still deploy to deal with it and how it is explained to those who are losing money,” said Kenneth G. Lieberthal, a scholar of Chinese politics at the <hl> Brookings Institution <hl> and a former senior director for Asia on the United States’ National Security Council.


Question: What is Kenneth's former occupation?

Answer: senior director for Asia on the United States’ National Security Council

<hl> The political implications of the crisis will depend “on how much farther this will go, what measures the government will still deploy to deal with it and how it is explained to those who are losing money,” said Kenneth G. Lieberthal, a scholar of Chinese politics at the Brookings Institution and a former senior director for Asia on the United States’ National Security Council . <hl>

The political implications of the crisis will depend “on how much farther this will go, what measures the government will still deploy to deal with it and how it is explained to those who are losing money,” said Kenneth G. Lieberthal, a scholar of Chinese politics at the Brookings Institution and a former <hl> senior director for Asia on the United States’ National Security Council <hl>.

The political implications of the crisis will depend “on how much farther this will go, what measures the government will still deploy to deal with it and how it is explained to those who are losing money,” said Kenneth G. Lieberthal, a scholar of Chinese politics at the Brookings Institution and a former <hl> senior director for Asia on the United States’ National Security Council <hl> .


Question: What is Kenneth's specialty as a Scholar?

Answer: Chinese politics

<hl> The political implications of the crisis will depend “on how much farther this will go, what measures the government will still deploy to deal with it and how it is explained to those who are losing money,” said Kenneth G. Lieberthal, a scholar of Chinese politics at the Brookings Institution and a former senior director for Asia on the United States’ National Security Council. <hl>

The political implications of the crisis will depend “on how much farther this will go, what measures the government will still deploy to deal with it and how it is explained to those who are losing money,” said Kenneth G. Lieberthal, a scholar of <hl> Chinese politics <hl> at the Brookings Institution and a former senior director for Asia on the United States’ National Security Council.


Question: What will the political implications depend on according to Kenneth?

Answer: on how much farther this will go, what measures the government will still deploy to deal with it and how it is explained to those who are losing money

<hl> The political implications of the crisis will depend “ on how much farther this will go, what measures the government will still deploy to deal with it and how it is explained to those who are losing money ,” said Kenneth G. Lieberthal, a scholar of Chinese politics at the Brookings Institution and a former senior director for Asia on the United States’ National Security Council. <hl>

The political implications of the crisis will depend “<hl> on how much farther this will go, what measures the government will still deploy to deal with it and how it is explained to those who are losing money <hl>,” said Kenneth G. Lieberthal, a scholar of Chinese politics at the Brookings Institution and a former senior director for Asia on the United States’ National Security Council.

The political implications of the crisis will depend “ <hl> on how much farther this will go, what measures the government will still deploy to deal with it and how it is explained to those who are losing money <hl> ,” said Kenneth G. Lieberthal, a scholar of Chinese politics at the Brookings Institution and a former senior director for Asia on the United States’ National Security Council.


Question: What is the current standard of interest rate?

Yet there are those who still see the stock market as the best investment, given low interest rates at banks and the huge amount of capital needed to buy property in many cities. Song Tairan, 25, an employee at an Internet company in Beijing who lost 20 percent of a first-time $16,000 investment he made in March, said he was still in. “I’m not anxious anymore because I’m used to the tumbling now,” he said. “I plan to invest again. The whole situation seems to be improving. I’m bullish on the stock market.”

Answer: low interest rates

<hl> Yet there are those who still see the stock market as the best investment, given low interest rates at banks and the huge amount of capital needed to buy property in many cities. <hl> Song Tairan, 25, an employee at an Internet company in Beijing who lost 20 percent of a first-time $16,000 investment he made in March, said he was still in. “I’m not anxious anymore because I’m used to the tumbling now,” he said. “I plan to invest again. The whole situation seems to be improving. I’m bullish on the stock market.”

Yet there are those who still see the stock market as the best investment, given <hl> low interest rates <hl> at banks and the huge amount of capital needed to buy property in many cities. Song Tairan, 25, an employee at an Internet company in Beijing who lost 20 percent of a first-time $16,000 investment he made in March, said he was still in. “I’m not anxious anymore because I’m used to the tumbling now,” he said. “I plan to invest again. The whole situation seems to be improving. I’m bullish on the stock market.”


Question: What percent did Song Tairan lose in monetary value?

Answer: 20 percent

Yet there are those who still see the stock market as the best investment, given low interest rates at banks and the huge amount of capital needed to buy property in many cities. <hl> Song Tairan, 25, an employee at an Internet company in Beijing who lost 20 percent of a first-time $16,000 investment he made in March, said he was still in. <hl> “I’m not anxious anymore because I’m used to the tumbling now,” he said. “I plan to invest again. The whole situation seems to be improving. I’m bullish on the stock market.”

Yet there are those who still see the stock market as the best investment, given low interest rates at banks and the huge amount of capital needed to buy property in many cities. Song Tairan, 25, an employee at an Internet company in Beijing who lost <hl> 20 percent <hl> of a first-time $16,000 investment he made in March, said he was still in. “I’m not anxious anymore because I’m used to the tumbling now,” he said. “I plan to invest again. The whole situation seems to be improving. I’m bullish on the stock market.”


Question: Where does Song Tairan work?

Answer: an Internet company in Beijing

Yet there are those who still see the stock market as the best investment, given low interest rates at banks and the huge amount of capital needed to buy property in many cities. <hl> Song Tairan, 25, an employee at an Internet company in Beijing who lost 20 percent of a first-time $16,000 investment he made in March, said he was still in. <hl> “I’m not anxious anymore because I’m used to the tumbling now,” he said. “I plan to invest again. The whole situation seems to be improving. I’m bullish on the stock market.”

Yet there are those who still see the stock market as the best investment, given low interest rates at banks and the huge amount of capital needed to buy property in many cities. Song Tairan, 25, an employee at <hl> an Internet company in Beijing <hl> who lost 20 percent of a first-time $16,000 investment he made in March, said he was still in. “I’m not anxious anymore because I’m used to the tumbling now,” he said. “I plan to invest again. The whole situation seems to be improving. I’m bullish on the stock market.”