Dear All: A thousands apologies for taking so long to answer your questions. When we first arrived in Afghanistan, we had so much time on our hands, and all of a sudden, the war was in full swing. I have responded to a set of questions, and will get more done soon, as long as we are not sent to Khanandar! Anyway, here goes:

What is it like in Afghanistan? How are the people coping with the bombings? Ben Muskett, (14)

Dear Ben: Afghanistan is a beautiful country, filled with tall mountains, green valleys, and hot deserts. Most of the country is over a mile high. But since war has visited this country for more than eight years, you can well imagine the destruction that lays over this land like a bad fog. The people have gotten used to bombings, especially here in Kabul, and as they felt that the bombing campaign would free them from the rule of the Taliban, they were willing to endure more bombing. But the children were very scared when Kabul was being pummeled. Now the war has moved south and the people are very happy.

Dear Babak, do you ever fear for your life? Being so close to the front-lines? Sophie Palmizi, (14) Southam College

Dear Sophie: As a journalist covering war zones, safety is one of the most important issues of my job. I usually work in a team up to six or eight people. Every plan has to be agreed upon by all members, otherwise we do not make any moves. Sometimes we have to be very close to the fighting in order to get a better understanding of the story. But we take many precautions to insure our safety. We wear Kevlar helmets and flak jackets. If we are able to, we travel in bulletproof cars. We research the area we visit and gather as much intelligence as possible. Eight of my colleagues have been killed so far in this conflict. But with the proper preparations we try to minimize the risks we confront in covering war stories.

Hi - What is it like in Afghanistan, where are you living and how scared are you? Christopher Marr, (13) e-Lothian School

Dear Christopher: Normal life in Afghanistan is pretty hard. Until recently we lived in a mud hut with no running water and no electricity while we stayed in the Panshir Valley. Now that we are in Kabul, we live in a hotel with no heating and no running water as well. But you learn to adapt to these living conditions. Since the Afghans live under the same circumstances, you learn from them how to overcome these little problems to make life a bit better. Covering a war is always scary. You have to always be careful because trouble can be around every corner. Being scared prevents you from making a stupid mistake and keeps you alive. Anyone who says they are not scared is not telling the whole truth.

Dear Mr. Behnam, what is the point of bombing Afghanistan when it has not been proved that Mr. Bin Laden ordered the planes to hit New York and Washington? Kevin Addies, (12) Dunbar Grammar School

Dear Kevin: I am not either for or against the bombing of Afghanistan by the international coalition. As a journalist, one has to keep an open mind when covering a story and try not to bring any personal views into play. If I were a Taliban government official, I would ask the same question as you did. In fact they did ask the same question over and over again. They even offered to have Mr. Bin Laden tried in front of a Muslim court. If I was an official of the American government, I would have to remind you that there is credible evidence that points to Mr. Bin Laden's guilt. Mr. Bin Laden would have his day in court and provide his defense against the allegations of his involvement. I would also remind you that the actions committed on September 11 on sovereign soil constitute an act of war. Every nation has the right to self-defense.

When you went out reporting on the front-line what was the chance of Afghan troops attacking you even though you weren't out there to fight them? Iain Paylor, (15) Larbert High School (Scotland)

Dear Iain: Whenever you are on the frontlines, there is always a chance that the people on the other side will mistake you for their enemy. That is why we always paint large letters that spell TV on our clothes and on our vehicles. We are trained to avoid looking like soldiers. Whenever we are on the front-lines, we try not to be near any heavy weapons like artillery, tanks, or APCs (Armoured Personnel Carriers). But sometimes you find yourself in the wrong place as did three of my colleagues who visited the front-lines in the north of Afghanistan. They were next to a tank that was shelled by the Taliban forces and unfortunately were killed in the attack. So we tend to be very careful.

I was wondering if you agree with the attacks on Afghanistan? Simon Pettit, (11) St. Bedes School

Dear Simon: It does not matter whether or not I agree with the attacks on Afghanistan. I need to be objective when I cover these type of stories. Hopefully if I am able to stay objective and send all the facts to you, you can make your own mind up. That is the whole idea behind news coverage. It is important to stay informed on what is going on in the world and we try to get that information to all our viewers.

Now the Taliban appear to have been overthrown how do you expect the situation in Afghanistan to progress. Peter Brackenbury (15), Wellsby School

Dear Peter: This country has a long history especially in recent times, of changing leaders as well as forms of government. Many people here in the Afghan capital city of Kabul have lived through a terrible civil war in the early 1990's and harsh Taliban rule until recently. They are very cautious about the future. The past serves as a reminder about being too optimistic.

Do 15 year olds in Afghanistan sit exams in school or do they sit exams at any point in their lives? Mario Pisaneschi (15), Western Isles of Scotland

Dear Mario: The Afghans take pride in their attempt to educate the youth despite all the obstacles that stand in their way. In the Panshir Valley, many students attended classes. But they also had to work in the fields in the morning. There is a shortage of books and the teachers are poorly qualified. In Kabul the situation is somewhat better. There is even Kabul University with a large campus and many professors. But the bombing campaign has taken its toll and it will be sometime before the schools will be fully functional again. And yes, even in Afghanistan, students have to sit exams.

What would it be like as a 16 year old in Kabul? Have you been to all the major cities in your country? Is there a sense of new life there at the moment? What do the people see as the way forward? Do you think that life will be easier under the Northern Alliance? Do you think the Pashtuns have any chance in a future government in Afghanistan? Where do you think bin Laden is? Are women allowed to wear jewelry? Ishbel Mclean, (15) Western Isles of Scotland.

Dear Ishbel: If you lived here as a sixteen year old girl you might have a very hard time. The culture is completely different. The tradition dictates the lifestyle and you would have to wear a veil. Also you would not have too much contact with males in general. But in the larger cities, it was not always like this and one day it might be easier for a 16 year old girl to live in a more modern fashion. Our team has been reporting from the Panshir Valley and Kabul. My other colleagues are in Jalalabad, Peshawar, and Islamabad. I have not been in all the major cities in Afghanistan. Many people here in Kabul were happy to see the Taliban leave. They said that they felt like they lived in a prison for the last six years. Everyone is hopeful that the different sides will not make the same mistakes they did six years ago that allowed the Taliban to take over. Most Afghans are looking for help from the international community in order to prevent further bloodshed. Most civilians do not trust any side as they all fought amongst each other and caused much of the damage to this beautiful country. As long as there is not a fair representation of the Pashtuns in the new government, peace cannot be achieved. I do not know where Mr. bin Laden is and I would not venture a guess as this country not only provides many hiding places but many routes outside its borders as well. Women were always allowed to wear jewelry.

What do girls my age do and what schooling do they get, if any? The second question is what was it like for you and did you have any bad experiences? What is your view on the war and about the situation in America? Kerry Anne Macleod (16), Castlebay School.

Dear Kerry Anne: Girls your age do attend school. Under the Taliban many educators set up private underground classes so young girls could continue their education. Many girls in the country-side have daily chores. But this is still a traditional country so that many things you do as a young woman, they are not allowed. In the cities there is more tolerance, but as of yet many women and young ladies do not feel comfortable enough to remove their veils when they walk in the streets. This is a very interesting country with beautiful scenery and kind people. So far we have not had any really bad experiences. One day we were at the frontlines and the shelling was very close. But we try to keep out of harm's way. The situation in the United States and the ensuing conflict are worrying. Many innocent people have and will give up their lives and that is never good. I hope people will learn from these experiences so that they will never be repeated again.