Record Levels of Violence in Afghanistan Do Not Equal Progress

[unhappycamper]

Record Levels of Violence in Afghanistan Do Not Equal Progress
by Eric Stoner
Published on Friday, December 17, 2010 by Waging Nonviolence

Greetings from Afghanistan. I arrived here now almost a week ago and there is so much to share about this experience that it’s hard to know where to start. I’d like to offer a few random observations about Kabul that I’m sure will make more sense upon reflection.

I was immediately struck by the contrast between the incredible beauty of the landscape here and what humans have managed to do to this little piece of the Earth. On the flight in to Kabul International Airport, you have stunning views from the plane of the Hindu Kush mountains that surround the city.

Once you land, however, you are quickly made aware that something is terribly wrong. Rather than the usual airport scene, buzzing with tourists and commercial flights, you see UN helicopters, military aircraft and surprisingly few people.

After entering the dilapidated airport, which is tiny for Kabul’s rapidly growing population, I had to wait only several minutes before seeing my first AK-47. Little did I know how common they are in this city. Seemingly every hotel that caters to foreigners, every government building, many banks and other important building have at least one Afghan in camo with a menacing weapon guarding the entrance. Razor wire is everywhere. In many ways, the city has the feel of a prison.

The poor air quality is also immediately apparent. There is so much dust in the air that there is almost a permanent haze over the city. When you are in a car navigating the chaotic roads, it at times looks like you are driving through a cloud or thick fog, but it’s just the dust. This is dangerous for me given that I have cystic fibrosis, but it is deadly for Afghans that have to breathe this air every day. In fact, earlier this month, Afghan authorities announced that 3,000 people die in Kabul every year because of the dust and smog. I wouldn’t be surprised if that was a gross underestimate.

[quaker bill]

1. While I never celebrate violence

He may be incorrect in his assertion. If the intent is to drive certain factions to go underground, sue for peace, or leave the country, increased armed resistance may be a sign that this intent is now clear and being taken seriously. I don't celebrate this, but it may well be a sign progress under the plan in place. There is a form of progress in such things which is not peaceful and pleasant.

[stray cat]

2. It may or may not. D- day was very violent but it was profress

[ladjf]

3. The idiotic war in Afghanistan is not winnable. It was a stupid

and disingenuous political move by Obama. He calculated that it would continue his position as President just as Bush did with the Iraq invasion. He knew that Americans love war. However, even
dimwitted America is waking up to the fact that the Afghanistan war costing 350,000,000 per day is
a senseless exercise in political adventurism.