What she saw was a stark and barren land that made her feel like she had taken a step back in time. Situated in Pakistan, but lying along the Afghanistan border, it was a desolate place—an ancient landscape made up of harsh terrain and inhospitable inhabitants who had witnessed nothing but bloodshed and violence for centuries. The region was inhabited and known for its well-armed warriors—descendants and veterans of countless conflicts, who continued to carry on the same ancient customs and traditions as their ancestors. Having endured war and famine for generations, they survived with few resources in a daily struggle for their very existence. The tribes themselves were bound by a strict code of honor that had lasted through the ages, but this land was now a safe haven for Islamic militants and criminals who had fled Afghanistan. Drug mafias had also moved in, and sectarian violence flourished as Sunni groups attempted to establish a Taliban-style government. The long tradition of war, pillage, and slaughter continued.
