This May Be What Passes For The Voice Of Sanity in Afghanistan

[unhappycamper]

US strategists seek Afghan fixes outside the box
By KIMBERLY DOZIER, Associated Press Writer Kimberly Dozier, Associated Press Writer – 1 hr 59 mins ago

KABUL, Afghanistan – On a NATO base in Kabul, a five-member team is rethinking the war in Afghanistan and questioning some of the basic assumptions behind the effort to clean up corruption and gain the upper hand over the Taliban.

~snip~

Throughout, the U.S. has the power only to encourage, not to coerce, a change in behavior or in Afghan leadership, if a given official simply won't change their ways, the team explains.

And in some cases, the Americans may have to look the other way, as the Afghan people do, the Red Team recommends. Afghans often tolerate local leaders enriching themselves to some extent, as long as they're seen to be sharing that wealth, Dietz explains.

As for long term changes, the Red Team recommends patience. Dietz compares the current Afghan system to the evolving political system of the U.S. in the early 1900s.

"We've talked about can you go from a feudal-like system ... to a participatory democracy, without all of the intervening steps — monarchy, industrialization," says Dietz. "You can't do that overnight. We can't make it happen just because we want it to happen.



unhappycamper comment: I am not willing to stay in Afghanistan for the next xx years, where xx = more years.

I am not willing to nation build in Afghanistan.

I am not willing to pay a million dollars per American soldier per year in Afghanistan.

I am not willing to bribe warlords in Afghanistan.

I am not willing to trash the United States economy in Afghanistan.

I am not willing to spend $400 dollars for a gallon of gasoline in Afghanistan.

I am not willing to drone people in Afghanistan and Pakistan.

I am not willing to support corporation's wars with American military muscle.

[hobbit709]

1. I agree 100% with all your statements

[dixiegrrrrl]

2. "can you go from a feudal-like system ... to a participatory democracy,"

While here, we seem to be doing the opposite.
Quickly.