Afghanistan

Posted by: Don Atkinson on 12 March 2012

I am now of the opinion that the UN and NATO should withdraw their aid (both civilian and military) from Afghanistan.

 

For decades, the UN has tried to encourage stability and human rights in Afghanistan without much success. Its aims were twofold. First to improve the life of people in Afghanistan, and secondly to reduce the growth of terrorism that is harboured within Afghanistan.

 

NATO was invited by the Afghan government of 2001 to assist in suppressing inter-tribal armed warfare and thereby provide a basis for stable government, peace and human rights for all, including women and children.

 

It appears to me that the majority of Afghans no longer see any value in either of these efforts and the UN, NATO and the Afghan government no longer appear willing to support these efforts or explain the purpose of the UN aid programme or NATO troops in Afghanistan or the associated risks.

 

Following withdrawal, the UN might wish to reconsider what, if any aid should be provided to Afghanistan and what, if any, risks are posed to the UN community by terrorism left to breed in Afghanistan. It could then seek to properly support any new initiatives it decided to implement.

 

Likewise, the Afghan government might wish to reconsider whether it wishes to seek support from NATO or any other organisation and whether it will fully support such organisations when things get tough and from time to time go wrong.

 

In other words we need a clean sheet, with clarity of purpose and total support from those who seek assistance and in whose name assistance is provided.

 

Of course, if Afghanistan sinks into anarchy and becomes a breeding ground for terrorism, those most at risk could seek UN mandate(s) to take appropriate action. In the event of (spiteful ?) vetos within the Security Council, I expect those at risk would consider taking unilateral action and effectively dissolve or re-organise the UN.

 

But of course, there are at least a hundred people on this Forum with far more insight than myself, far more capable of sorting out this mess, and only too egar to let the powers that be benefit from their diplomatic skills - i'm sure that the UN, and appropriate diplomats from Russia, China, India, Brazil, Argentina, India, Pakistan, Iran, the USA and a few other countries read this Forum and would be willing to learn.

 

Cheers

 

Don 

Posted on: 12 March 2012 by Mike-B

I don't disagree Don,  but I see maybe the same from a slightly different angle.  I can tell you you are hardly scratching the surface & could write a novel on the sub-culture on this unholy mess of a country.

 

I worked on an attempt at setting up a project in Afghanistan many years ago. First thing that strikes you is the corruption, its everywhere & at every level imaginable, police, politicians, religion, day to day business - everything & everywhere. Perversely it is such an open & natural everyday way to do business, its almost honest. 

I won't get into the politics, but for want of a better word it's all tribal in some form or other. Overall life is cheap , women are chattels, outsiders are pawns, westerners are despised. I could go on & on but in short everything your post is concerned about is far worse & far more unimaginable to us in the west.

 

I feel desperately sorry for the people & the country,  but to be blunt, its not our business. We need to end the involvement - but first we must stick with the existing plan & follow thru with whatever we have committed to with the training of the various security forces - then get out. 

The long term is not good IMO, the Taliban will take over, corruption will flourish & women will remain as chattels & subservient.

But tragedy for us in the west, the British, US, NATO & the Russian lives lost to this conflict will be for nothing & are already the dust of the desert & is just what this region inflicts on all outsiders trying to get involved.

Posted on: 12 March 2012 by Don Atkinson

Mike,

 

I appreciate everything you have said. I worked for many years in the Middle East and Pakistan. Not as bad as Afghanistan, but not a million miles away in many cases.

 

Cheers

 

Don