The American people must begin to consistently demand reform and accountability from Washington. The American people must also refuse to accept the prevailing illusion that military technology is a replacement for genuine solutions for the people of the region. Until then, the situation will continue to unravel both here and in South Central Asia. In the end, whether the United States contributes or not, a regional solution will be the only solution.
As authors and speakers what we do is to help people understand how decades of disinformation clogs the pipelines. At this late date, the damage this causes not only affects the public's opinion but also the very instruments of the U.S. government that have come to believe their own disinformation.
We were recently contacted by a journalist who was imbedded with NATO who let us know how important our book was to clarify for him the dangers of the U.S. blurring the lines between its military and civilian assistance programs. This journalist can now operate more effectively in clearing the fog of America's role in creating the disaster in Afghanistan and Pakistan today.
That journalist's comment says it all. You must find it incredibly frustrating to have uncovered the real inside scoop but the people who are making key decisions just aren't listening. They keep on making the same mistakes. Anything you'd like to add?
The Afghan people have been waiting a lot longer than we have for a respectful and sophisticated approach to the region to emerge, first from the British and then the American leadership.
As far back as 1832 East
India Company political officer Alexander Burnes observed that Afghans he
encountered were, -- kind hearted and hospitable. They have no prejudice
against a Christian and none against our nation." Burnes argued correctly
that the strong Afghan Amir, Dost Mohammed, "could keep the country
together and resist Russian or Persian encroachment, but a country split into
feudal principalities and tribes would invite Russian intrigue aimed at picking
them off piecemeal with no great difficulty."
Yet, his argument and the goodwill of the Afghan people were lost when London
acquiesced to the conquest of Afghanistan through what is known as the
"Forward Policy," setting the stage for three Anglo-Afghan wars, an
endless low-intensity conflict, and a century and a half of political
instability.
Afghanistan's fierce wars against colonial occupiers are well known, but the country's efforts to maintain its independence and to establish itself as a modern nation against the constraints and interests posed by these forces are not.
(Note: You can view every article as one long page if you sign up as an Advocate Member, or higher).
