Psychological Warfare

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Retired Gen. Bariali Sabir's body is as disfigured as the Afghan landscape. Today the 53-year-old Army man, who lost his job under the Taliban, is back in Kabul's Military Hospital complaining of severe arthritis from decade-old bullet wounds. But Sabir's spirit is in just as much need of doctoring. "Sometimes I fly into a rage and can't recognize my family members," he says. "I've beaten them countless times. I fear I'm losing my mind." One of his four sons, a shy, freckle-faced 10-year-old named Abid, confirms that his father has often attacked family members. "About a month ago I wanted to ask my father a question, and he just hit me. He didn't even know I was his son," says Abid …