Afghanistan Close to Anarchy Warns Head of Nato Forces

[leftyladyfrommo]

http://www.guardian.co.uk/afghanistan/story/0,,1826479,00.html

This is a report from the British viewpoint on how things are going in Afghanistan - and the answer is "not very well." There are lots of problems there including private security firms (that shoot too soon) and tribal warlords.

The other problem discussed that is interesting is the poppy crop - Afghanistan is now the #1 producer of opium in the world. And controlling that cannot become a priority until all of the other stuff is under control.

So, basically, Afghanistan has become a "drug state." Which is not what were were trying for - I don't think. I read the other day how much of the gross domestic product comes from growing of poppies and it was a staggering number.

I don't understand why the democratics don't keep this topic front and center. I would think it would make a power campaign topic.

[varun]

1. I thought we'd "smoked 'em out" (Taliban)

what happened?

[leftyladyfrommo]

3. They seem to be back! In large numbers.

But I don't think that is only problem there.

People need to make a living in order to survive. And the best way to do that in Afghanistan is to grow poppies. So just about everyone is doing it.

Another Unintended Consequence. I hate the Taliban and was glad to see them go - after the way the woman of Afghanistan were being treated. But the Taliban kept the poppy production under control.

However, I would rather see the poppy fields than see the Taliban back - life has to be better for the women there now.

[HereSince1628]

4. Windows left open and the smoke blew back in.

The war in Iraq happened is what happened, our politicized military can't function in two places at once.

[leftyladyfrommo]

5. Boy is that the truth.

Here we are with the Middle East blowing up all over the place and our military is stuck in Iraq and everyone knows it.

[bigtree]

2. another failure of the 'Bush doctrine'

making America and the world less secure as a result of his militarism