Warlords, Drugs, and the Taliban

An Update

         Afghanistan hasn't been in the news much in the past year.   Sure, rioting in downtown Kabul might get mentioned every once in a while, and one can sometimes find stories about the US military (often right out of the Pentagon's press releases), but for the most part, it's surprising how little information gets to us.  

The last time there was mass coverage of Afghanistan was nearly a year ago in September, when the election was pronounced a resounding success.   This happened in Iraq as well, but we've continued to hear other things about Iraq.   The impression given of Afghanistan is that things are running smoothly, burqas are a thing of the past, and that a 'Mission accomplished' sign could be tacked on the country.

Well, the Taliban never left, and their control over many parts of the country is growing.   Security is on a downward spiral.   Over the past few months, 'Operation Mountain Thrust', (an offensive of US and Afghani forces) has met with mixed reviews so far, and has served to disperse AGEs(Anti Government Elements) from their traditional turf in the South and the East, into provinces that have been relatively safe until now.    

Women's rights (and human rights in general) are still in an abysmal state, girls' schools are still being bombed, and there are enough landmines and unexploded ordnance waiting to be stepped on that amputees will be a common sight on the rubble-lined streets of Kabul into the next century.

The Cabinet recently approved reinstating The Department for the Promotion of Virtue and the Discouragement of Vice , which was famously active under the Taliban.   Much of the support has come from conservative religious leaders that many in Afghanistan are concerned may want to steer the country toward the old days.   Support is also fueled by the influx of liquor, pornography, and prostitution, largely introduced by the presence of foreign soldiers and workers.   Anti-foreigner sentiment is understandably growing, and people such as aid workers, once fairly safe, are now being killed.

Getting rid of regional warlords in Afghanistan has always been a big part of the rhetoric of the United States government.   In its invasion, however, the US made alliances with and supported warlords who would cooperate with them and do the ground fighting.   This arguably strengthened much of the system that existed before the Taliban took over.  

At controlling the warlords, president Karzai has proven to be ineffectual at best, and in fact, needs to work with them in many areas.   Widespread corruption guarantees their continued influence.

This brings up the one business that is booming in Afghanistan (other than contracts for foreign corporations, just like in Iraq), and that is drugs.   Despite all the money and effort put into eradicating the poppy fields and the drug runners, every season since the ouster of the Taliban has been a record-setting crop of opium and heroin producing plants.   The shipment of flour from aid organizations only serves to drive down the price of wheat, giving even less of a reason for the poor Afghani farmer to grow anything other than poppies.  

This pumps money directly into the warlord's pockets.   Some of these warlords support the Taliban, and some will just increase their bribes to government officials, allowing next season to be yet another record-breaking bumper crop.  

Looking out the window as my plane lands in Kabul International Airport (the airport code is KIA... really), I am happy to see that, since my last visit in 2002, they've removed the wreckage of shot-down planes from the sides of the runway.