Angst in Afghanistan

February 2, 2010

Alisha Azevedo, managing editor  

Filed under Opinions

The war in Afghanistan first began in 2001 as a response to the September 11 attacks on the World Trade Center. The United States first demanded that the Taliban government close all terrorist training camps and operations in the country, in addition to handing over all al-Qaeda leaders to the United States. When the Taliban refused and offered to try Osama Bin Laden in an Islamic court of justice instead, the United States began its military occupation. The United Nations did not authorize the United States’ invasion of Afghanistan, which essentially sought to oust the Taliban regime running the country, find Osama Bin Laden and his supporters and take down Al-Qaeda as a whole. Not an easy task.

The United States also refused the Taliban’s suggestion to surrender bin Laden to another country for a just trial in exchange for a halt in U.S. Air Force bombing and proof that the suspect had been behind the attacks. Former President George W. Bush stated, “There’s no need to discuss innocence or guilt. We know he’s guilty.” The Taliban have lost control over the country, which is now governed tenuously by President Hamid Karzai. However, approximately 100 members of al-Qaeda still remain in Afghanistan. Osama Bin Laden has not been found.

The U.S. troops occupy the northern and southern parts of the country bordering Pakistan, which has also become a haven for terrorists. The United States has also gained the support of NATO through the formation of the International Security Assistance Force, which is a coalition of multiple countries that works to secure the country’s capital, Kabul. U.S. Army General Stanley McChrystal heads the operation. The most difficult aspect of the Afghanistan war has been the methods used by terrorist insurgents. Jihadists sacrifice themselves through suicide bombings. The insurgents also employ guerrilla warfare techniques, launching raids across the border between Afghanistan and Pakistan. Because of this, President Karzai has stated that his army will not be ready to fight on its own against the insurgency for another five years; he has requested U.S. security support for another 15 to 20 years.

In the midst of the violence, the presidential elections in August proved extremely dangerous for citizens. The Taliban launched various attacks on polling places and civilians, dramatically decreasing voter turnout. Both presidential candidates Karzai and Abdullah Abdullah claimed victory. Though Karzai was declared the winner, accusations of fraud discounted about 400,000 of his votes. Because of the widespread corruption and weak leadership of Karzai’s government, his election has been hotly disputed.

Despite Obama’s well-intentioned work to finally bring peace to the region, the war in Afghanistan is simply not worth fighting. The fact that the United States funnels billions of dollars into the second most corrupt government in the world defies logic and reason. The Taliban have strengthened in number and guerilla warfare tactics since the United States began its occupation; ordinary civilians lack basic resources, as 70 percent do not have access to clean water. As Afghan author Malai Joya states, “Eight years ago, the U.S. and NATO — under the banner of women’s rights, human rights, and democracy — occupied my country and pushed us from the frying pan into the fire. Eight years is enough to know better about the corrupt, mafia system of President Hamid Karzai. My people are crushed between two powerful enemies. From the sky, occupation forces bomb and kill civilians … and on the ground, the Taliban and warlords continue their crimes. It is better that they leave my country; my people are that fed up. Occupation will never bring liberation, and it is impossible to bring democracy by war.”

Instead, the United States must first demand that President Karzai address the widespread corruption taking place in his government, threatening to withhold troops and resources if he refuses. With the help of U.S. intelligence, Karzai must conduct an internal government review and wipe the slate clean of dishonest officials. The drug trade provides over half of the country’s income. Many of the highest-ranking members of Karzai’s government are drug traffickers, as Afghanistan produces the most opium in the world. However, if the drug trade were eliminated, the 3.3 million Afghanis who farm poppies as their livelihoods would be thrown into extreme poverty. Thus, the United States must help the country to find alternative, stable sources of income, such as producing opium for medical purposes.

The United States must then focus its military resources on training the Afghan army to stand on its own, allowing them to take control. One in every four combat soldiers quit the army from 2008 to 2009, and many soldiers are illiterate and uneducated in the basics of fighting. By strengthening its efforts in Afghan training camps, the U.S. government can ensure a greater soldier training success rate and boost the Afghan army’s credibility. When its own army is fighting against terrorism, civilian support may increase. President Obama can then refocus the billions of taxpayer dollars streaming into Afghanistan into lessening the United States’ debts. He will also enjoy increased public support, as a December 2009 Pew Research Center poll found that only 32 percent of Americans favored increased troops in Afghanistan. Tribal leaders in Afghanistan are also protesting the United States’ continued presence, saying that they would rather negotiate with the Taliban than continue the civilian casualties prompted by military skirmishes. General Stanley McChrystal has pledged to reduce the number of airstrikes and home raids that harm civilians. After working to eradicate the government’s corruption and giving control to the Afghani military, the United States should continue to provide aid for human rights purposes. In a country where only ten percent of women are literate and 17 percent report sexual assault, funds must be provided for education. Only by providing resources for Afghani citizens to help themselves can the country see true change.

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Tags: Afghanistan, Presentation