Molly Moore, senior vice president of Sanderson Strategies was recently quoted in a Politico.com article as saying, “The key question is: How do we get beyond a military solution and figure out a workable economic development plan that will dilute the influence of extremists in Afghanistan and Pakistan?’”
I am in accordance with Ms. Moore's view on the situation. If there was enough jobs for the Afghan people then the country as a whole would be more stable. Money makes the world a much better place to live.
When a man cannot afford to feed his family he finds someone to blame. When the blame is placed on an "occupier nation" coupled with religious extremism, the man turns against that nation. If that nation tries to solve the problem by sending soldiers to deal with these hungry and angry people the people will become more enraged. If the nation sends industry to offer jobs to the people and give them a stake in the future of the country, the people become sympathizers.
The U.S. needs sustained support in Afghanistan if it is ever going to extricate itself from the country. A strong economy will create supporters, not detractors.
Wednesday, February 25, 2009
Saturday, February 14, 2009
Losing the faith.
The results of a poll asking if Afghan citizens still had faith in the government was reported on 9 Feb. 09. A mere 40 percent believed that the government was going in the right direction. This is a huge decrease from 77 percent in 2005. The poll also asked if the citizens had faith in the United States. The optimism dropped from 88 percent in 2005 to 47 percent today. (http://abcnews.go.com/WN/International/story?id=6822139&page=1)
The increased fighting has to be a major reason for the drop in confidence but I do not see how it can be blamed on the U.S. Washington is completely behind the struggle militarily and financially. Defeating the Taliban will bring confidence back to the people of Afghanistan. President Obama's 7,000 soldier increase should help. (http://www.voanews.com/english/2009-02-05-voa75.cfm)
The increased fighting has to be a major reason for the drop in confidence but I do not see how it can be blamed on the U.S. Washington is completely behind the struggle militarily and financially. Defeating the Taliban will bring confidence back to the people of Afghanistan. President Obama's 7,000 soldier increase should help. (http://www.voanews.com/english/2009-02-05-voa75.cfm)
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